Potty training, when & how?

My daughter will be a year old this week! She is off the bottle and walking pretty well. When should I start trying to potty train her? Any suggestions as to how to do it? I know when she is ready she will start showing interest and decide she doesn't like to be messy. But, I need advice on how to encourage her.
Thanks
Mel

For most kids, you can't potty train until they are capable of telling you they need to go. But, you can help them make the connection by telling them why you're changing their diaper each time you change it.

Once they can communicate with you, you get them started by just having them sit on a training potty while they watch their favorite show. Eventually, they'll go in the potty. Make a BIG deal out of it when they do. Just keep doing this over and over and eventually they'll want to go in the potty instead of their pants.

I dont have kids, but in my child development classes, some kids are trained as young as 10 months... (basically as long as they can walk...)

When my children were young I had them wear "pull ups". A great help for potty training. Also before you leave the house or just periodically put them on the toilet and encourage them. They'll catch on. Be patient. Sometimes girls are ready before boys.

my mom used me as a science experiment. this works very well but I dont endorse it. when she was potty training me she would run water to remind me to pee. it worked too well. Im 28 now and to this day everytime I hear running water I have to go.

Dear peach_in_a_shell,
The worst thing you can do is rush it. By doing that you increase the amount of mistakes they make as well as theirs and your frustrations. Around 21/2 they start to show interest in going on the pot. Prior to that they really don't have the mind set yet and see it more as a game or something to get your reaction. So relax and she will let you know when she is ready. Then you can start rewarding for every time she uses the pot and using a lot of praise.
Sue...good luck