What’s a training clicker, and what do they do?

A training clicker is a handheld device that makes a “click” noise when pressed. It is an element used in positive reinforcement animal training, with the goal of getting the animal to make the association “click = treat.” The click marks the exact moment the animal has performed the behavior you are asking for (e.g. you click the moment the dog’s butt hits the ground when you ask them to “sit”). Every click is followed by a treat. Pretty quickly, the dog learns “when I put my butt on the ground, I get a treat." Ali Smith says clickers can help you train your dog to respond to new tricks like rolling over, shaking, or turning around, or help to shape lifestyle behaviors like getting into a crate or heading to bed on cue. “It’s fantastic for creating new behaviors,” says Smith. “But just remember it’s not a remote control.”

What age is best for clicker training?

Although some clicker manufacturers have a recommended minimum age, Smith says, “there’s no maximum or minimum age.” She notes that some older dogs who have some experience training with a human may find clicker training easier to adjust to. “Other than that, it’s simply down to how quickly your dog learns, and how well you understand how to motivate your dog,” she says.

What are the best resources for learning about clicker training?

The internet has a wealth of information when it comes to clicker training, but Smith recommends sticking to advice from qualified, certified dog trainers who train using positive reinforcement methods. Smith’s own company, Rebarkable, has helpful articles on the blog where she shares her own tips and tricks for clicker training and positive reinforcement as a whole. Smith also recommends checking out resources from Karen Pryor , one of the founders of clicker training.

How many clickers do I need?

In theory, one. But in practical terms, many. They are small and easy to misplace! Make peace with the fact that you will lose them in your couch cushions. Most trainers have dozens of clickers on hand at any given time. While most dog parents don’t have that many, it’s advisable to have at least 3 or 4 so you can easily grab one at any time.

What do I do if my dog seems scared of the clicker sound?

Some of the clickers on this list have adjustable volumes. If you have a nervous dog or a dog with sensitive ears, you can still muffle the sound of the clicker at first, even if it’s on the lowest volume setting. Just cover the clicker in something soft, or put it into the pocket of the sweatshirt you’re wearing to mute the sound, when introducing it. If your dog seems scared of the clicker even when it’s muffled to the max, stop the session and ask your trainer for their recommendation. Don’t worry, you can substitute many things for the clicker if you need to, including your own voice.

The 3 Best Dog Training Clickers of 2024

In This Article

The Winners
How We Picked
Additional Training Tools
More We Recommend
FAQs

For clicker training a dog, a good clicker is palm-sized and easy to use. An extra bonus is if the clicker offers variable sound levels.

Clicker training is a type of animal training that uses positive reinforcement. (Fun fact: almost any animal can be clicker trained, but we are focusing on dogs here.) Clicker training relies on classical conditioning, a training process introduced in the late 1800s by neurologist Ivan Pavlov. In his famous experiment, Pavlov used positive reinforcement to train dogs to salivate whenever they heard a specific bell. He did this by ringing a bell and immediately feeding the dogs. Over time, the dogs began to associate the sound of the bell with being fed, thus salivating from hearing the bell alone.

If you’re looking to embark on a clicker training journey with your dog, patience, consistency, and rewards are key, no matter the behavior. According to Ali Smith, dog trainer and founder of Rebarkable dog training service, it’s also imperative that you understand how to motivate your dog. “Make sure the dog is being challenged in the right way,” she shared with The Spruce Pets. This means giving them reinforcers (rewards) that they find motivating, and breaking down training into the simplest steps possible.

The Winners

The Educator Dog Training Finger Clicker is our pick for the best training clicker for dogs because it only attaches to one finger, allowing you to retain partial use of your hand even though it’s holding the clicker. We like that it has an adjustable strap and a loud, clear click. We also have two other top recommendations that might be a better fit for your needs.

Best for Palming: Karen Pryor i-Click Dog Training Clicker
Best Budget: PetSafe Clik-R Dog Training Clicker with Training Guide

Our Favorite Training Clicker

Educator Dog Training Finger Clicker

PHOTO: Amazon

$13 at Amazon View on Chewy

What We Like: Adjustable finger strap for snug, custom fit: solid and clear click with multiple sound levels; simple but effective; quick start training guide included; four color choices

What We Don’t Like: Durability can vary

The Educator Dog Training Finger Clicker is a petite but powerful dog training clicker that allows for high control and dexterity during training sessions. Since it’s designed to be worn on just one finger, you retain some functional use of the hand with the clicker. This clicker also pays attention to the details with a sturdy adjustable velcro finger strap and the ergonomic curve on the back of the base, making for a more custom and comfortable fit.

The click button is also easy to find and push and gives a defined click. You can also adjust the intensity of the click for your dog or environment by exposing or covering the cutout slots just under the clicker button with your thumb. We also like that there’s a brief guide to clicker training included to help anyone new to the process. Keep in mind that this is a fully plastic product, and it’s possible for the clicker to break or malfunction with repeated use over time.

Quick start training guide include

How We Picked

Why I'm the Expert

I’m Allegra Ringo, a writer for The Spruce Pets. I’m a dog parent to Pistachio, a reactive Chihuahua mix. I’m also a “dog trainer in training.” I’ve completed 300+ hours of supervised dog training under my mentors, and am working toward getting my certification (CPDT-KA). I use clicker training with Pistachio and with all of my clients. I have easily a dozen clickers (but I know where maybe 1-2 of them are at any given time). I use a clicker to train new behaviors in dogs I’m working with.

We also consulted with dog trainer Ali Smith, founder of Rebarkable. Smith is a positive reinforcement trainer and uses clickers in her work with clients. We asked Smith to share some of her top tips to help make the process smoother and more successful.

Pro Tips to Get Clicker Training to Click for Your Dog

Training with a clicker isn’t as simple as clicking the clicker a few times and your dog magically learning a new behavior. Clicker training requires a bit of work from you, too. Here are my top 3 tips for getting started with clicker training:

Treat the clicker as a “contract.” The contract is “1 click = 1 treat”! A click always means a treat for your dog, even if you clicked accidentally. Unlike the human voice, which can change pitch or inflection, a clicker delivers a consistent noise each time. We want our dogs to know with 100% certainty that the sound of the clicker means they are going to get a delicious treat.

Take time to “charge” the clicker. Smith emphasizes that you need to first build a positive association with the clicker, or it will not work! Trainers call this “charging” the clicker. Luckily, it is a fairly quick process! Charging the clicker looks like this:

Sit or stand (your choice), click the clicker, and then reward your dog.
Repeat this process until your dog starts recognizing the sound of the clicker and shows expectation for the treat.
That’s it! Your dog doesn’t have to do anything specific to get the treat during this process. You can do this in short bursts (1-2 minutes) a few days in a row. Most dogs catch on fairly quickly, but don’t worry if your dog doesn’t “get it” yet! You can still move onto training specific behaviors - just start with simple ones first!

Get curious about how to reward your dog: Just like humans, different dogs will respond to different rewards. Positive reinforcement trainers have a saying: “the learner decides what is reinforcing.” We generally start with food as a reward because food is naturally reinforcing (most dogs are motivated by food to some degree). We categorize treats as low value, middle value, and high value. Which treats fall under what category is entirely up to your dog! You can experiment with different treats and see how your dog responds. Examples of high value treats tend to be more “people food,” like cheese, cooked chicken, or steak.

What To Look For

Sound: One of the reasons that dog trainers recommend clickers is that they are more consistent in tone and volume than human voices. So, it follows that the most important factor when selecting a dog training clicker is that it produces an audible distinct sound.

Ease of Use: For clicker training to be effective, you need to be able to click the button quickly. Clickers with raised or clearly indented buttons make it easier for you to find and push the button without looking. Wristbands are also helpful to keep the clicker readily accessible.

Size: A clicker that’s small and teardrop-shaped is easy to hold in your palm during training sessions. This is particularly useful if you're looking to bring it along with you while traveling or doing outdoor training.

Useful Training Products and Accessories

Treat pouch: It’s essential to have reward treats at the ready during training! We like using a treat pouch because it keeps your hands free for signaling, cueing, and clicking.
Treats: Finding the right type of treat to motivate your dog during training is one of the most important aspects of any positive reinforcement training. To get started, take a look at our breakdown of dog treat varieties to find your dog’s dream reward.
Wrist bungee cord: If you’re nervous about losing your clickers, we recommend this set of silicone wrist bungee cords. They come with a thin metal keychain loop that easily attaches to most built-in D-rings or keyrings, and provide a convenient and comfortable way to wear your training clicker so that it’s harder to lose.

More We Recommend

Karen Pryor Clicker Training i-Click Original Clicker

PHOTO: Karen Pryor

$15 at Amazon View on Clickertraining.com

What We Like: Click sound suitable for sensitive pets; three-pack of different colored clickers; D-ring bottom for attaching anchor strap; ergonomic one-handed design

What We Don’t Like: Easy to lose or misplace

Best for Palming: The Karen Pryor i-Click Dog Training Clicker is a small and portable clicker that can easily fit on your key ring and be cradled in the palm of your hand. During training sessions, this clicker is ergonomically designed to be held by pinching it between your thumb and forefinger. The knuckle of your thumb comfortably rests in a fat groove with the tip resting over the clicker button (don’t worry, there’s enough resistance on the button to stop it from being clicked unintentionally). There’s no strap or loops to secure this clicker to your hand, so if you’re concerned about accidentally dropping or losing the clicker, we recommend using the built-in D-ring loop at the bottom of the clicker to attach it to a wrist strap. Each pack comes with three brightly colored clickers, so you can place several in go-to spots to always have a clicker on hand or locate an extra for backup. The sound of this clicker is firm but soft, making it a good choice for nervous dogs who may be unsure about the sound of the clicker.

Three clickers per pack

PetSafe Clik-R Dog Training Clicker with Training Guide

PetSafe Clik-R Dog Training Clicker - Positive Behavior Reinforcer for Pets - All Ages, Puppy and Adult Dogs - Use to Reward and Train - Training Guide...

PHOTO: Amazon

$4 at Amazon $4 at Chewy $6 at Tractor Supply Co.

What We Like: Hands-free design with comfortable finger strap; gentle and consistent click; comes with a handy training guide; built-in D-loop for attachments

What We Don’t Like: A softer click sound not ideal for loud environments; non-adjustable finger loop

Best Value: The PetSafe Clik-R Dog Training Clicker checks a lot of boxes without breaking the bank. For starters, it loops around two fingers (either your forefinger and middle or middle and ring fingers, whichever is more comfortable) for convenient hands-free use. We recommend using it on your non-dominant hand so you can keep your dominant hand free for tasks that may require a sharp reaction time, like holding a leash, dispensing training treats, or motioning to your dog.

This clicker can feel fairly clunky in smaller hands, but we appreciate the ergonomic design and how easy it is to locate the clicker button. The click itself is audible but gentle, a solid pick for jumpy dogs and/or quiet training environments. The finger loop is comfortable, wide, and stretchy, but it’s not adjustable so you may not get as desirably snug of a fit and the strap may stretch out over time causing it to fit more loosely. At the end of the day, however, you’re still getting a decent clicker—plus a helpful training guide for first-timers—for under five bucks.

Other Training Clickers We Considered

HoAoOo Pet Training Clicker: This compact clicker has a loud and clear click and a large, easy-to-locate button. It’s a cinch to palm, and we like that it features a built-in bungee wrist strap with a clasp that allows it to unhook and clip onto a belt loop. Unfortunately, the button is sticky, which can impact training efficacy.

Mythrojan Brass and Steel Pet Training Clicker: We were drawn to this clicker because it is made from military-grade brass and steel, which would likely outlast plastic clickers on the market while maintaining its crisp, loud click over time. However, the metal is less comfortable on the finger and has sharp edges that ultimately make it a no for us.

EzyDog Command Clicker: This clicker’s ring design is another great option for a hands-free clicker. The click is authoritative without being too aggressive, and the silicone ring is comfortable and will fit snugly for most adults. However, the somewhat bulky design and boxy button kept it from taking a superlative position on the list.

FAQ

What’s a training clicker, and what do they do?

A training clicker is a handheld device that makes a “click” noise when pressed. It is an element used in positive reinforcement animal training, with the goal of getting the animal to make the association “click = treat.” The click marks the exact moment the animal has performed the behavior you are asking for (e.g. you click the moment the dog’s butt hits the ground when you ask them to “sit”). Every click is followed by a treat. Pretty quickly, the dog learns “when I put my butt on the ground, I get a treat."
Ali Smith says clickers can help you train your dog to respond to new tricks like rolling over, shaking, or turning around, or help to shape lifestyle behaviors like getting into a crate or heading to bed on cue. “It’s fantastic for creating new behaviors,” says Smith. “But just remember it’s not a remote control.”
What age is best for clicker training?

Although some clicker manufacturers have a recommended minimum age, Smith says, “there’s no maximum or minimum age.” She notes that some older dogs who have some experience training with a human may find clicker training easier to adjust to. “Other than that, it’s simply down to how quickly your dog learns, and how well you understand how to motivate your dog,” she says.
What are the best resources for learning about clicker training?

The internet has a wealth of information when it comes to clicker training, but Smith recommends sticking to advice from qualified, certified dog trainers who train using positive reinforcement methods. Smith’s own company, Rebarkable, has helpful articles on the blog where she shares her own tips and tricks for clicker training and positive reinforcement as a whole. Smith also recommends checking out resources from Karen Pryor, one of the founders of clicker training.
How many clickers do I need?

In theory, one. But in practical terms, many. They are small and easy to misplace! Make peace with the fact that you will lose them in your couch cushions. Most trainers have dozens of clickers on hand at any given time. While most dog parents don’t have that many, it’s advisable to have at least 3 or 4 so you can easily grab one at any time.
What do I do if my dog seems scared of the clicker sound?

Some of the clickers on this list have adjustable volumes. If you have a nervous dog or a dog with sensitive ears, you can still muffle the sound of the clicker at first, even if it’s on the lowest volume setting. Just cover the clicker in something soft, or put it into the pocket of the sweatshirt you’re wearing to mute the sound, when introducing it. If your dog seems scared of the clicker even when it’s muffled to the max, stop the session and ask your trainer for their recommendation. Don’t worry, you can substitute many things for the clicker if you need to, including your own voice.

Dog Training Treats

Full Moon Organic Human Grade Training Treats for Dogs

These bite-sized treats are easy for a dog to chew and are made with USDA certified organic ingredients,

Full Moon USDA Organic Chicken Training Treats Healthy All Natural Dog Treats Human Grade 175 Treats

$9 at Amazon $9 at Chewy $14 at Walmart

Blue Buffalo Blue Bits

Heart-shaped training treats comes in four flavors (lamb, beef, chicken, turkey) and are made with added vitamins and minerals.

$14 at Amazon $4 at Chewy $5 at Walmart

Wellness Soft Puppy Bites

Tasty treats will get a puppy’s wavering attention and the story texture allows each treat to be torn into smaller pieces.

$10 $5 at Amazon $6 at Chewy $10 $5 at Petco

Pupford Freeze-Dried Training Treats

$17 at Amazon $17 at Chewy View on Pupford.com

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

This story was updated by Allegra Ringo, a writer for The Spruce Pets. Allegra has completed over 300 hours of supervised dog training under her mentors at Clickstart Dog Training Academy, and is in the process of becoming certified (CPDT-KA). She uses clicker training with her own dog, Pistachio, as well as with all her clients.

A previous version was written by K. Alex Beaven, a journalist and writer for The Spruce Pets. Beaven is a self-described “feline fanatic” with years of experience caring for newborn kittens and cats with chronic kidney disease, FIV, and paralyzed limbs. or this story, she consulted Ali Smith, a professional dog trainer and founder of Rebarkable, a dog training service that only uses positive reinforcement practices. Other stories Alex has written for The Spruce Pets include The Best Couches for Dog Households, The Best Dog Seat Belts, and The Best Pet Hair Removers.

The 3 Best Dog Training Clickers, According To Certified Dog Trainers