How is the Clicker Used in Dog Training?

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How is the Clicker Used in Dog Training?
A clicker marks the moment your dog has done something good. Through conditioning, your dog will learn that the sound of the click means he will receive a reward. The reward can be food, a toy, touch, or any number of other actions. While many dogs are happy to work for their kibble, not all of them prefer food rewards, though most
will work for a piece of hotdog, liver, steak, cheese, or chicken. A favorite toy can be substituted for the food, as can a
rub on the head or chest.
When you teach your dog the meaning of a clicker, you need to stick to specific parameters. Changing your criteria will cause your dog to lose interest. The main parameter is that your dog receives a reward for every single click. Never
click without giving your dog his reward.
You want for your dog to work for the sound, not ignore it. Giving him a reward each time will maintain his enthusiasm and motivation. It will also maintain clarity of communication between you and your dog. Think of it as making
a deal with your dog: You must maintain your part of the bargain if you expect
your dog to maintain his part.
There is a three-step pattern I use when teaching a dog.
1. Present a stimulus. A stimulus is something that will grab your dog’s attention.
A piece of food or a toy is a stimulus. To make the entire process easy,
I use the stimulus as a lure. Once Teddy understands that you’re holding something he wants, you can make him do anything. Your hand will become the stimulus because it holds the lure.
2. As soon as Teddy pays attention to the stimulus and performs the correct
action, click the clicker and praise.
3. Give Teddy the reward.
Lure, click, reward!
As your dog learns that the sound of the clicker means he will be receiving a reward, you will be able to gradually increase the time between the sound of the click and his receipt of the reward. However, maintain the deal you made with
Teddy and always reward for every click.
As your dog learns the meaning of each cue (that is, each verbal command and/or visual signal), you will be able to reduce the use of the lure and replace it with a cue, thereby reducing the number of rewards given. When you get to this
a point, the sound of the clicker is in and of itself a reward.