If you can give her nappy free time during the day, stick her on the toilet every now & then...pretty much what you are doing I think. Most of all be relaxed. 17 mths is early days, she might pick it up really quickly or she might just keep 'being interested' for ages.

From experience I think the best thing you can do is give them the opportunity without too much pressure. Pie was on & off the toilet once or twice a month for about 4 or 5 months, then all of a sudden started using it every time she needed to & bang, we were away.