OK, I'm convinced that most people who have never tried clicker training, and can't understand why some of us are so fired up about it, should give us the benefit of the doubt. Not by trying it a few times in your living room, with no help. Not by doing it incorrectly because no one ever showed you the correct way, or explained the principles behind it. But, by actually going out and paying for a class, taking the complete course, and really doing the homework each week. Granted, not everyone has the money for that, but even buying the Peggy Tillman book "Clicking With Your Dog" or clickerlessons.com, and doing the lessons each week might be better than criticizing without fully giving it the old college try. Is anyone up for a week by week session, right here, following along with the book, or reporting back to us on your class? If you already know the basics, perhaps you could teach some new behaviors, and let us know how you did it. Even though I don't have the capability, certainly videos are welcome.
BTW, this is NOT a thread to dis clicker training, not a thread to tell us why it didn't work for you, not a thread to even mention CM or any other non-clicker trainer. This is a thread for people who might want to try the method, get some support, and chat about your results.
So, lesson number one: charge the clicker.
http://www.pawsitivesolutions.net/behavior/clicker_training.html
Then, do name recognition and attention:
http://www.clickerlessons.com/attention.htm
You'd be amazed how many of my students think their dog knows his/her name, but when the owner says the dog's name, he doesn't turn toward the owner, or offer any other behavior that tells me he recognizes the word. Do these exercises anyway, even if your dog does know his name, though. It's good practice.
To work on your own timing - toss a tennis ball in the air and see if you can click as it reaches the top of its arc. (Don't do this one where Fido can hear!)
Lesson a week if you want - all are welcome, and if you are a devotee of another method, we promise not to do any "I told you so's" on this thread. This is for learning purposes only. Grab that clicker!