Training 101, book reccomendations + more

Question
Hello Erica. I need do train my dogs a bit better they rarely listen/come when called or sit or lay down when asked. I do not like the idea of group dog classes my dogs 100% like each other but not sure if they'd go after the other dogs in group settings. I have a Labrador Retriever 4 years old had her since she was 3 months old, a Jack Russell Terrier 3 years old had him since he was 7 weeks old and a Boston Terrier who is turning two in April and I've had her since she was almost 8 weeks old. The older two will sit and lay down for a treat but not otherwise...sometimes the lab will sit when asked but rarely, the Boston was never taught to lay down but she sits when she sees treats. The troublesome of the group is the jack Russell and the Labrador, *Mostly the Boston is very good. I am looking for advice on basic obedience training....should treats be used at all? I don't belive in hitting a dog for doing something wrong and understand positive renforcement works best but treats or no treats? Clicker or no clicker? I want my dogs to sit/down/come and stay when asked for brief periods nothing fancy for now thou I would really like to get my JRT into agility for fun and exercise for him and mm, I'd like to try that in a year or two. Could you recommend some good books on basic obedience training? and later tricks or agility(my Boston terrier would do well with trick training I think). Also for training sessions I should have one dog at a time with me? I could take them one by one into the yard(?) how many times a day should I do lessons? I really want them to listen and be good examples of there breeds and also I want to be a dog breeder on a very small scale in 2-3 years when I finally get my one country home. Thank you so very much for reading and answering my questions all info is appreciated.

Tara.

Answer
For some basics:
Yes, I use treats.  They are a very high motivator for dogs, and as they progress in the behaviors I start weaning them onto other rewards such as toys, praise and petting.

Clicker-I love the techniques.  I use them quite a bit.  I personally do not use a clicker as my marker (sound to indicate correct behavior) because...well...I am not coordinated enough to use it regularly.  Things like dishes, phone calls, laundry, etc. get int he way. So during a set training session it works, but to continue throughout the day with the technique it doesn't.  I use a verbal marker-namely, "yes".  Exactly the same techniques but I always have my voice available and the point of clicker training is to mark the behavior, not necessarily deliver the treat at the exact moment of "correctness".  Example:  I am doing dishes, my new show dog walks into a PERFECT stack, I cannot hope to rinse my hands, grab a clicker, and mark the behavior before he moves.  I can however "yes" him, and give him a treat a few seconds later while he is bouncing excitedly (I have a terrier), knowing full well he did something right and is going to be rewarded.

Training multiple dogs:  For initial training I work with one dog.  As they learn the behaviors, training with another dog provides a wonderful distraction.  So get each dog doing the basics on their own, and then start working with them together.  And as far as training sessions, I work my dogs at various times throughout the day.  While brushing teeth practice a sit/stay.  Loading the dishwasher-practice a down/stay.  Going into another room to do something, a recall (come).  If you work for just a minute or two throughout the day, you actually get quite a bit done without ever having to break stride and your dogs do not develop the habit of "from 7 to 7:30 I have to listen-the rest of the day I can be crazy".

I do have some great book recommendations-My favorite is ABC-Practical guide to dog training by Steven Applebaum.

You can find this and other great books on my site at http://www.jumpinjacs.com/Home/books_and_dvds.htm