Okay, after reading Clicker Training Basics, a number of you have indicated that you are going to try it. THAT'S GREAT!!! I'm so pleased and I think you'll be happy with the results.
As previously discussed, the first step is to "load your clicker". Some dogs may need more than 1 session to learn that click means treat. When your dog comes running to get his treat when he hears the sound of the click, you know you're ready to move on!
There are basically 3 different ways to teach a dog a trick or command in a positive way, using the clicker.
1) Most of you are probably already familiar with
GUIDING - gently placing the dog in the position you want him to be in.
Teaching a dog to shake hands is often done this way - you want him to raise his paw so you pick it up for him. If you were doing this using clicker training, you would lift his paw and click/treat (C/T). After repeating a few times, you'd see if you could get him to do it by just tapping his paw. If he does it, C/T, repeat. Wait a few seconds. See if he will lift it all by himself. Does he? Yippee! Click and give a jackpot (several treats) and praise heavily! Repeat multiple times. When he is lifting his paw frequently all by himself, start naming the behavior for him as he does it - shake, wave, whatever cue you like. C/T repeat. After multiple repetitions, give the cue and see if he responds. Yes? Yippee! Jackpot again. The next step would be to stop C/T'ing him for doing it on his own. Only C/T when he does it following your cue. As a transition, you might say "good dog" when he does it on his own, but only C/T those that are cued.
Joey learned "Sit" using guiding - I gently pushed his rearend toward the ground, C/Ted and went from there.
While doing this, remember to keep your sessions short (about 5 minutes is usually enough). It probably will take several short sessions to get it on cue.
Questions? Input from other clicker trainers?