What is the better method?
I have a 7 year old dog that was lure trained when he was a puppy but, after we got through with puppy manners (sit, stay, walk on the leash and lay down) we stopped. He is my dog and Im happy with what he knows. His big "tricks" are to beg (sit pretty) and be invited into my kids rooms when the doors are closed (sniffing under the door until it rattles in the frame... self taught).
Now we have a new puppy. They (my husband and son) want more from this dog. Silly tricks like dropping things in the trash and dragging palm fronds to the sideyard. What is the best start to get those and similar results? Is there a good book that will tell me how? Id like to go with the easier route of course but, I'm not willing to sacrifice the results. Any advice or suggestions?

As an after thought, if clicker is better, how hard is it to reteach an old dog new tricks? If my dog wants to learn I'm more than willing to teach him.