I was wondering what people think of clicker training to train for stacking.  I have a 7 month old Sheltie who already knows about 15 commands (both obedience and tricks), so I know he is a smart boy and definitely has a great ability to learn, but so far, stacking seems to go way over his head.  I know it takes a while, but I am just wondering if people have had more success with using the clicker vs. other ways.  The only other way I can think of is to manually move their feet and tell them the command each time, which is what I have been doing.  I have done a lot of obedience, but this is my first show dog, so any advice is much appreciated!
Nicole

Karen Pryor has an excellent book on clicker training for showing called Click to Win!  Available from Crosskeys, Amazon etc

I have to say I've only just started with a clicker and it's brilliant, took me 15 minutes with my Spanish Water Dog pup and it took my mum about the same time with her Pomeranian yesterday to get them to stand perfectly. 

Well then!  I think my next stop is the pet store to pick up a clicker! 

Hiya
I have a 6 month old sheltie who is completely clicker trained.  I do obedience with her and so used a target stick and clicker to get her facing forward when she moves.  Also use it for the stand, click her when she stands square or nearly square.  It has worked so far :-)  In showing she had a 2nd in puppy out of about 7 dogs, in obedience she was just out of the placings in beginners because of a sniff by the dumbell which even my experienced dog took a little sniff at.  Everything clicker trained so yes it does work :-)

Gina

PS I too have done a lot of obedience & agility and Ember is my first show dog too! 

Think it is the best way I have found, keeps everything relaxed, the dog never gets it wrong it only gets it right, so no need to get upset and the dogs can't wait to train. Biggest problem I have is my pup presents at the stand every time I stand still and when that does not work he will try everything he has learned, so the biggest problem so far is how to teach him to offer a behaviour only when asked for.

LOL....I had that a couple of weeks ago, luckily outside the ring, we went through twists, lie downs, bows, and go throughs (must learn to keep my legs toghether) before she twigged it was the stand required.

Sandra :D