I am so happy you are going to help your dog learn using positive methods. The theory behind positive learning can be complicated and terms of study, i.e. operant conditioning, classical conditioning, R plus, R minus, P plus and P minus in the beginning just confuse the dog owner. I hope you will find a great clicker trainer, who will simplify the complexities so you can later study these if you get involved in doing so. What positive training does is develops a "thinking dog", a happy, willing to learn and perform dog. As Susan Ailsby says, the upsidie of positive training is the dog will offer behaviors. The down side is the dog will offer behaviors. Again channeling all this in the right direction is what is ultimately important. Also be careful, some say they are positive trainers, but may use questionable methods. There was an article on "You are a Positive Trainer If" on
www.behaviorlogic.com, I think you might still find it there.
Also, get Click for Joy, Melissa Alexander which explains the finer points and terms of clicking success. There are so many wonderful books out on this topic, as well as going to the Karen Pryor website,
www.clickertraining.com or
www.karenpryor.com to get really involved with your dog.
Good luck to you....it is wonderful to see your concern to train your dog the positive way.
PS - My pic of Kody learning to walk with two points of contact....he looks horrible. This was when we first got him: he had demodectic mange, as you can see in the photo (went away in 3 weeks on RMB diet), and he was a wanderer, puller, jumper, no recall, little training...whew. Today his coat shines, he smells great, he is a thinker, he pulls for search and rescue only, he can go off lead and has a great recall. Still likes to jump a little cause he is so very friendly but four on the floor gets rewarded. Thought I'd add that as there is hope for dogs with commitment, consistentance, persistance and patience. Kindness does work.
Diane and the terv duo