Hi Lane! Welcome! Boy, you have a lot of stuff on your plate! First, regarding your new puppy (congratulations!) I think you should probably start out with puppy kindergarten before venturing into the complicated world of clicker training. With clicker training, it is as important for the handler to be "trained" as is the dog! Check out the site above for more info. Basic obedience of different sorts and clicker training can be encorporated, but again, I think a better idea would be to start out with the real basics in a setting that includes other dogs, people, distractions, etc. Your trainer, if she/he is a good one, should be able to discuss types of training with you and make appropriate recommendations and work with you. I am not a professional. There are others here in the forum who are very knowledgeable in these areas and hopefully they will jump in. Whatever it is your are currently doing, it sounds like you are off to a good start. I am much more concerned about your boyfriends' adopted husky Odin. First, why, why why is ANYONE YELLING at this dog!!!! That type of negative correction, in my mind, is NEVER acceptable and rarely if ever gets results. If you do get "results," as you said yourself, the dog is ONLY responding out of fear. Considering this poor creatures' history, he probably lived through a lot of that in the past! No wonder he's not showing affection!
First, and most importantly, Odin needs to develop trust through POSITIVE re-enforcement, NOT negative discipline! Have you guys enrolled him in basic obedience? Do you know his "social history?" Maybe you can check back with the shelter and find out what some of Odin's past issues were. The last thing you need to do is develop fear aggression in this dog. As you said yourself, he is already beginning to act out with fear. You have done a wonderful thing in giving him a second chance. Please give him the BEST second chance you can. The fact that Odin loves to play and love treats provides two great opportunities and motivational tools for you to train him and enjoy him; help him learn to love and trust. Please contact a GOOD trainer in your area. Discuss Odin's issues, and enroll him in a class. DO NOT PUNISH, HIT OR YELL at him. Neither you nor I would like it, and neither does the dog! I certainly don't mean to offend you, but your boyfriend is NOT a professional trainer. Perhaps the Collie you speak of did not have the problems, or issues, or past history that Odin does. Every dog is different. I have a husky/shep rescue who was extrememly fear aggressive after 2 years of extreme physical and emotional abuse. She is not stupid; it is not the breed. Different dogs have different issues to deal with and may require a different approach. My Cody is now a happy, confident, loving girl. The first month I had her she would not make eye contact, would only lay in a corner, and would not let anyone touch her. With patience, love kindness and some appropriate training and socialization, she overcame all of this. PLEASE GIVE ODIN EVERY CHANCE TO BE THE GOOD DOG HE PROBABLY WANTS TO BE!!!! I'm sure others will also have great (better!) advice; please listen to it. I know you must be a very wonderful person; your boyfriend too. You have both made room in your lives for animals in need of care and a loving home. I am sure with time, patience, love and training, you will all be able to enjoy each other. Let us know how you're doing. I just love huskys! Kisses to your adorable (I'm sure!!) puppy Dharma and to Odin. I CAN'T bear the thought of Odin being returned to the shelter. Please, please, please try to get some professional training scheduled. Best of Luck and again, welcome to the forum. There are sooo many wonderful, caring and knowledgable people here. Please listen to what they have to say. We all want to help and support each other! We're all here for you.

[This message has been edited by tatsxxx11 (edited December 12, 2000).]