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.
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.