Today I am going out to purchase a CLICKER to train my new puppy, Dharma, a 10-13 week old SPCA adopted golden Lab/Doberman female. She is VERY smart and has learned alot in the two weeks I have had her. I have been impressed by the training methods used by the Monks of New Skete but I find that their methods seem to pertain mostly to obedience in walking, sitting, staying etc. The clicker method sounds like a good idea for encouraging good behoviour in the home, such as appropriate things to chew on, potty training, etc. My question is, can I take the best from both those methods, or will that be too confusing for her?

Another question, my boyfriend has a approx 2 year old siberian husky, Odin, who just doesn't seem to get any training methods at all. We have used a halti on him, a choker, but he still pulls (HARD) on leash. (The halti works best) He can't walk off leash or he will run. He seems kind of distant, not very affectionate, and barely responds to his name. He was adopted from a shelter as an adult just a few months ago, and I can see my boyfriend getting frustrated with the lack of progress. I see Odin becoming fearful because he gets yelled at or yanked at (on the choker) but he continues the behaviour. (And so has my boyfriend, up until recently when I pointed out that all the yelling and jerking wasn't doing anything!) My boyfriend trained my 4.5 year old collie, who was another adult adoption from the SPCA, and did a great job with her - I am surprised he cannot get results with his dog! I am wondering if Odin is maybe not as smart or it's within his breed to behave like this. And will clicker training work with him? He is very motivated by treats and loves to play.

Any suggestions would be appreciated as I want to do a great job with my puppy and I want my boyfriend's dog to be a happier, more well behaved dog!