After you have taken your exposures, stick the lens cap on the scope, and take, say another 5-10 exposures using EXACTLY the same settings. For M81 and M82 I took 5 darks. If you're using sharpcap it will automatically give you a record of the settings in case you have other dark frames for different exposures. This is important, because if you have several different exposures and/or captures in the same observing session you need to know which set of darks to use when you come to process.
Not only must the software settings be the same, but THE TELESCOPE/CAMERA configuration must be the same too, so you can't remove or rotate the camera. The easiest way is to get used to taking darks immediately after every set of exposures.
When you come to process in DSS, add your picture files as normal. Then click "dark files" which is next on the list directly below "open picture files" and add your darks (making sure it's the right set of darks). Then stack as normal!
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