What does it mean to condition the clicker?
To “condition the clicker” means creating an expectation in the dog that click = reward. In this way, the sound of the click gains meaning and value for the dog.
How to do it
It is quite simple and is really just a matter of giving the dog a reward when it hears a click.
Have a supply of treats ready and within easy reach, then simply begin clicking and rewarding the dog with treats.
It is important that the click comes before you move your hand towards or with the reward. If your hand begins moving towards the treat before or at the same time as the click, the hand movement may become part of the signal the dog responds to. We want the sound of the click itself to tell the dog that a reward is on its way.
So whether you keep the treats in your pocket or choose to have them ready in your hand, the order is what matters: First the marker – then movement towards and delivery of the reward.
At first, the sound of the click has no meaning for the dog, but after enough repetitions the dog will begin to associate the click with the reward it receives. In this way, we can create an expectation in the dog that when the click sounds, a reward will follow.
While conditioning the clicker
When conditioning the clicker, it does not matter very much what the dog is doing. It may be sitting, standing or changing position. It may be looking at you or at its surroundings. The important thing is that the reward follows immediately after the click. If the dog is looking away from you, simply present the reward in front of its nose.