I think I have confused my son as to what "thank you" means. Before he could speak, I would say thank you when I wanted him to give me something. He has been using a few words of late, enough to say thank you. So now I give him something, like his bottle and say, say thank you, and he hands it back to him. :) I am not sure how I will work out this one, any ideas.

Just keep using the words in context. Stop using them in the wrong context and the child will soon pick up on it-that is the primary way they learn.

I did similar things, but my daughter resolved it pretty fast.

Yup, just use them where they should be and he'll pick up quick enough. We use about the same thing we trained the dogs with:take it, leave it, give it, trade it,with thank you and please for manners. We just use more words for the kids and less treats for rewards. ;)

He said it last night, I handed him a cracker and wouldn't let go of it until he responded, the actually said thanks. I squealed with delight.

That is great that he is getting it right. Some people take offense at the thought that teaching a baby is similar to a dog- but in all actuality- it is a pretty realistic analogy. Kids of that age are SO impressionable, and if you do what you did that night, to get him to say it properly, he will catch on full-time in no-time! He is obviously a smart child if he caught on the "wrong" way that quickly, and will do the opposite just as quickly :) Good luck!

You are so right, now we are moving on to "you're welcome", he can't say the whole thing yet but at least it's in his mind until he can actually say the words.

I have worked with many children who use baby sign language. It is interesting the way they use the signs. You are right that it is confusing how to teach a child to say thank you. It looks as though they have it figured out. Great job, it is so exciting to see what you pratice actually happen for real.