First, I do not have first hand experience of this, but am looking forward to training my dog...when I have one.

In the meantime, I'm learning all I can. I am currently reading Karen Pryor's book Reaching the Animal Mind. She has a website set up by chapters of the book with pictures, slide shows, and videos that you can refer to as you read along. Kind of cool. One of the videos is of her clicker training a GSD. A big dog she's never met before. You can go watch how she handles delivering the treats.

http://www.reachingtheanimalmind.com Then click on chapters, then chapter 3, then "Blue Bowl".

Mariellena, Thank you for the link!

You're welcome! I have the book on loan from the library. I can't put it down. Wish I had a dog to work with to try the clicker shaping. I think I'll buy the book.

Mariellena, this is so cool, thanks for the link and suggested reading. I am going to have to check these out!

I commend you for researching training methods before getting your new pup! Always having dogs, I can certainly say that my training styles are diverse, and most has been learn by doing! I do know that I am fair, firm, cosistent, I like them to know my voice, and that I am in charge!
I was sent a future service dog "hopeful" when he was 5 months old, I usually get them at 8 weeks, so he had been started on clicker training...I knew nothing about this method, so I started investigating, and found the marker training dvd. I thought this was a better fit for me as I can use my voice and don't have to worry about carting around a clicker. The pup made a nice transition, and I am liking the results with my own 5 month old GSD! Good luck researching, and acquiring a new friend!

That's part of the beauty of the clicker training. You gradually trade the clicker for your voice or hand signals or whatever marker you choose. When introducing a new behavior you go back to the clicker. Something about it, according to Pryor, engages the animal/human brain faster than a voice. Even Ed and Cindy demonstrate the clicker with a puppy on one of the DVDs. I'm all for faster and positive.

I know this is an old thread, but I have the same problem. I started helping a friend with his puppy (a mostly husky mix adopted from a rescue shelter after being hit by a car.).

Today was our second day and since its a puppy, mostly razor sharp baby teeth, he got some blood out of my fingers when taking the treat. This dog goes nuts about anything regarding food. I mean bonkers nuts. Yesterday after seeing how insane the dog went with treats, I down graded to dry dog food. The pup still went completely insane. After he drew blood I decided to try and train him to take the treat softly. Then I cancelled the training. (Not because of the pup, I was angry and didn't want to transmit that.)

The pup also goes insane at feeding time. Jumping up in the air running madly around. I watched in awe as his owner tried to make him sit for the food. The dog sits quick enough, but can't wait. It is as if he had a rocket in his behind. I told my friend to be patient, wait, hold, be more patient, etc. Eventually i told him to leave the dish up and go away until the dog calmed down. After another 5 minutes the dog was sitting around nice and calm. As soon as his owner touched the dish, the dog was wild again. I didn't have all night, so I told him to just leave the dish up until the dog got the message. He said he did it once more then gave up.

Any new ideas on this old problem?

Check this vid out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXvCDHgycGo&feature=channel_video_title