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The main value of clicker training is the ease with which we can communicate what we want. To create a behaviour, we shape it. This means that the behaviour is built up from small successes. Shaping can be "free" (with no help) or "lured" (with a few hints). With free shaping the trainer needs to click and reward for a behaviour which is a "step in the right direction". For example, to teach a dog to turn around in a circle, you would click for a step to the side or a turn of the head. Once you had repeated this a  few times and the dog was reliably offering a movement to the side you would withold the click and wait for the dog to do something else. With a bit of patience, the dog usually offers something else. It may be the wrong thing (just ignore this) but, if it is a further step in the right direction you click and reward again. By continuing in this way it is possible to build up (shape) a whole turn/circle.
The same can be achieved (a bit quicker) by encouraging the dog to take a movement in the desired direction. Offering food to the side of the dog usually does the trick. The exercise still needs to be built up but can get to the end point much quicker than without a lure. Some people argue that the exercise is much more thoroughly taught using the "free shaping" method. However, I think it is quicker and less frustrating to lure. It is also essential to lure a behaviour that the dog is not likely to attempt naturally. Try it and see what you think!?
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