Clicker Training for Obedience: Shaping Top Performance-Positively

I'd suggest that people first have at least a basic understanding of operant conditioning (clicker training) but I say that only because Mr Spector provides a great deal of detail, explanation, trouble-shooting, and theory for each of the exercises, and his focus is on the serious trainer.

Those are all advantageous aspects of this book, particularly for those of us who want the details and thought processes behind the actions. Working with totally positive principles, he guides us through the most basic of exercises right on through to utility exercises.

Now, for someone not interested in competitive obedience you'd think this book is not the one for you -- not so! Many of the exercises and behaviours he details are transferrable to the agility ring (and elsewhere) and I've discovered some are also transferrable to herding.

The style of writing is simple, straight-forward (not what you'd expect from a lawyer) and very easy to follow. He sometimes provides examples that relate to humans to help understand some of the principles - another plus. Filled with clear photographs, it is possible for any dog guardian to follow and understand his explanations.

I also found that the logic he uses behind training certain exercises at certain stages, unlike many other trainers, made so much sense. One example: he recommends training a dog to heel off-leash before doing it on-leash. His explanation for why and how has worked flawlessly with my own dogs! I'll never go back to my old way again. He does this throughout his book.

The index makes it easy to look up specific exercises, problems, or other related information.

Even if your dog will never enter an obedience competition, and you simply want a reliable, happily-working, obedient dog -- this book will get you that and more.