I usually use the clicker when training behaviour that may need very accurate timing. For instance, I used it when training my dog to bow (I use the word bend so not to confuse with down). When a dog is going to lie down, it usually puts its front legs down first. At that point, you have a bow, but if you don't click at that point the dog continues to finish the down movement. The clicker very accurately marks the absolute time you got the action.
You can also use it in a sort of free style session. I introduced the girls to a skate board. If they were timid, I would click and treat when they went anywhere near it. As they are not timid, I sat and waited for them to approach, clicking when they touched it - for the first few touches. Then I waited for them to do something else. They climbed on board and got their click and treat. I then turned it over and only clicked when they spun the wheels, and then only when they went to each individual wheel - spinning the wheels one after the other is quite a family pleaser.
One good thing about clicker training is that you can see the dogs working out just what you want from them.
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