Wow, page actually loaded pretty quickly yeah!
With clicker training, I've already started Blossom to know and work with a clicker. It's quite easy.
First step is to 'charge' the clicker. Just get Todd to be near you, don't ask for anything at all not even sit, then click and IMMEDIATELY treat - you really must click/treat immediately for Todd to fully 'get it' that a click means a treat. Do this about 10/15 times, depends on your puppy but with most puppies that's usually enough. Then, when you ask for sit, click/treat. At first reward IMMEDIATELY you click, you can start to space out the time between click and reward as Todd gets it but at first it's click/treat, so make sure you have loads of treats handy. Also, Running dog mentioned this, if you accidently click then you MUST reward - and it happens so don't beat up on yourself
Also, as Running dog has already posted, please DO NOT try recall in an open environment until you're 200% certain Todd will come immediately. As she has pointed out even a leaf can be distracting to a new puppy and what they will do at home in their familiar surroundings they usually will NOT do for a while when 'out and about'. Leaf, who's recall is awesome, was not allowed off leash on the beach last Summer at all. But now she's off leash and knows who wants to pat a pretty little girl who asks politely (four paws on the ground) who's off in their 'own space' - she walks away before she's even close to that person(s) and straight back to me, which dogs want to party, which don't, dogs on leash we don't approach (one dog off and one on not always a good mix) etc. etc. So, whilst yes it's great fun watching your dog run and play off leash, do hold on until Todd is really, really good at recall. Otherwise you'll have problems and have to start recall all over again, something you don't really want to have to do. It's always that much mpre difficult the second time around as they've got the idea that they can 'do what they want and not what you want' in their heads.
And when you do start off leash, please do NOT call Todd and immediately leash him when you're ready to leave. Call him back the moment he's free, reward, then allow him to run off again. Do this several times each time he's off leash and he'll know that coming back to you DOESN'T mean 'end of free play time'. Plus he'll get really good at staying close to you (although of course zoomies just maybe in order when first off leash, just call back when he's looking like he's tiring then send him off again). I always use a tip Running dog gave us when it's time to leash up - and that's the cue 'lead/leash time' together with an extra special treat, so leashing doesn't feel like 'end of play time' but more 'hey I get a very special treat time'. And I forgot, sorry a bit out of order here. Once he's confident off leash and will come back to you when called, always make sure, especially at first (that means a lot of outings not just one) that when he voluntarily comes back to you REWARD him - you don't need to click but do REWARD. Again this makes staying close you all the more exciting and rewarding, much better than all those distractions! Even now, though she's got a bomb proof recall, Leaf still is rewarded at times (not all the time now she's a big girly and knows her stuff) for coming back to me, especially if there's been a major distraction like those pesky seagulls! They just refuse to be 'herded'!
What you can do, once you're pretty sure Todd really has got recall, at first to test the waters is use a long training leash. Please make sure it's somewhere where the lead cannot get tangled around trees etc. (seen that happen and really scare a puppy) and also that Todd doesn't pull on the leash, call him back BEFORE he reaches the end of the training leash, not when he's at full stretch.
Also, I would start to train Todd with "look at me" - that's something which is so handy, especially with a young puppy or an older dog who's being re-trained. To do this hold a treat close to your eye (make sure Todd stays all four paws on the ground either sit or stand or drop will do so long as he's NOT jumping up for the treat) then say "look at me" and the nano second Todd looks at YOU click/reward. As with all teachings, some puppies will get it very quickly, others will take their time even if they've learned other tricks quickly. And as always work at the puppies pace not yours - patience is a virtue all dog trainers need in buck loads
Has Todd got his own 'mat'? It's a good idea to have a 'mat' (can be anything comfy) which Todd knows is 'his' mat. Quite easy to train this, just 'lure' Todd onto his mat, at the same time 'say go to your mat' and immediately click/treat even if he's only got one paw on 'his' mat. Rinse and repeat until all four paws are on the mat and 'sit' or drop as well. Very handy if you're out and about or on a trip, Todd will always know there's a 'special place' for him to chill out. Also handy, especially with an open plan living area, if he's worrying around at food prep time or with visitors.
Have you also considered Puppy Pre School? Or Kindergarten as some places call it. Usually your vet will run classes. They take puppies from 8 weeks old (who've had as had Todd their first injections) up until 12-16 weeks old, depending on the place. It's great fun for all but really is vital for a youngster's development as at that age they cannot fully intergrate with other dogs/animals due of course to their need for full immunization, but with other youngsters all around the same age they really do start to learn 'good manners' with other dogs.
I would also suggest, if you haven't already done so, studying Dog Body Language. Not only does it help with teaching your own little boy but helps you to know what other dogs are showing to the world, thus avoiding any potential 'troubles' which will not be of your making but there are people around who take dogs for walks who are, to be polite, not taught how to behave. So it does pay to be able to know what signals a strange dog is sending to your, well behaved, dog. And also, please don't forget YOUR body language! Dogs 'read' us extremely well, so we have to be aware of our body language. Frustrated at times? Normal! But if you do feel frustrated - walk away three deep breaths maybe end that teaching session and resume when you feel calmer! Because Todd will have 'read' your frustration like lightening and react accordingly!
Hope these tips have helped and please let us know how Todd is progressing. Puppies are the most delightful little souls and with the right teachings will be your best friend, companion and shoulder to cry on (if ever needed) you can have, they never let you down.
And pictures of Todd please, pretty please
I'll check out the doggy thread later as you may already have written all about him, with pictures. Please accept apologies for any typos but 'Mommy's little helper" is awake, so I've one eye on Blossom and one on the computer
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. Sadly sleep deprivation and small puppies go together.
) I think I will sleep (maybe!) in a chair in the utility room tonight with the cage door open and hope at some point during the night Todd will enter it. Here's hoping! 
And she still continued to have a lot of energy after that. At 7 she is now starting to calm down a bit, but she still has plenty of energy. People who see her often think she is only 2 or 3 because she still has the energy of the average dog that age. 
