Zigbee series 1 xbee pro shield configuration on Arduino

I am currently doing a project using the Xbee pro shield and an Xbee series 1 module. I find how to program it via. the USB, but I want to be able to configure it by change DH and DL and MYID on the fly via. the Arduino microprocessor. Can you tell me how this works and how the commands are sent. More importantly, I have not found out how to issue commands to the Xbee when it;'s connected to the Arduino but NOT via. USB to the computer. Also, to read the outputs after issuing the commands. Any documentation on this and/or sample code very very appreciated. Thanks