Clicker Training

Question
Hi! I don't know if you have ever used clicker training but I'm gonna ask anyway. I've informed myself about clicker training and geard so much positive things about it. I have a 9 week old female australian shepherd and started her on clicker training as soon as we got her (last week) She seems to respond to the clicker, which is great but the thing is that you're supposed to click WHILE she's doing the behavior you want (for example going pee outside) So she knows that the click is for going pee. So I click when she uses the bathroom outside, WHILE she's doing it, but it makes her stop and come running to me because she knows that she will get a treat. I've been thinking about waiting till she's done but then it's gonna be too late. What am I supposed to do? Shall I just not use the clicker for potty training and just give her a treat when she's done?
Thanks in advance

Answer
I absolutely know about clicker training, Manuela. I've used it to teach several behaviors to new dogs. It's a wonderful way to begin training.

I think you may be a little confused about when to click, though. You don't click until the dog has performed whatever behavior you are trying to shape. For example, if you were teaching her to sit using the clicker, you wouldn't click her as she starts to sit; you would wait until her butt was on the floor and click. The click signifies the end of the behavior. Your dog understands this, or she would not come running to get her treat when you click her for going potty. You should wait until she has finished going potty, and then click and praise her as she comes to you for her treat.

Personally, I've never used the clicker for potty training; I just use my voice, but as long as you click when she finishes, it shouldn't be a problem.