Customer Rating: 
Summary: Great for introduction
Comment: This book is very, very basic. If you've never heard or read anything about clicker training, it gives you a good overview of what it's about ad how to do it. The author explains how to shape basic behaviors and gives ideas for what you can shape your dogs to perform other behaviors.
If you've done any training with your dog, especially any clicker training, skip this book. It's too basic for you.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Was helpful in the beginning
Comment: This book was somewhat helpful in the clicker training process, however the DVD "Clicker Puppy" was so much more helpful. If you have no idea what clicker training is, or how to approach it, this may be a good beginner book for you. Wouldn't recommend for those who already have an idea of what clicker training is.
Customer Rating:
Summary: a great start
Comment: This book is a great step towards learning how to train your dog. We bought this book and other items from this publisher. We will be ready when our puppy gets here. Very excited!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Could have been condensed greatly
Comment: Certainly Ms. Pryor knows her technique and provides good step-by-step basic instructions about using clicker training with dogs. She covers the do's and don'ts and provides essential advice with some examples. However, I thought that the portion of the book that dealt specifically with training dogs was somewhat scant and would have rather seen more about problem solving and working with crossover dogs---e.g., dogs that have had other types of training before ever hearing a clicker---and much, much less of the history about the pioneering clicker training done with dolphins.
Hence, I thought the book quite expensive for the amount of practical information it contained.
Customer Rating:
Summary: New to clicker training? Then this is a *must read*
Comment: Karen Pryor, the author of this book, is the woman who introduced clicker training into the dog training's world. As a dolphin trainer, she was convinced that the animal friendly method she used for training dolphins would work for dogs as well. And how right she was! Clicker training is now used by countless training schools and individual dog owners all over the world. "Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs" explains what clicker training is, why you should use it and especially HOW to use it. Clicker training is not about the clicker or about food! It is about reinforcement and correct timing, in such a way that information is communicated between trainer and dog. Together you and the dog will learn a new way of interacting. Learn from this book how training can be FUN, both for you and your dog!
P.S.: no, clicker training is NOT about trick training (although you can use it to learn your dog funny tricks)! Learn from this book how to communicate with your dog using a clicker, and teach him to sit, lay down, heel, stay, NOT to jump up, NOT to pull etc. Enjoy!
