The 10 Best Dog Clickers
This wiki has been updated 17 times since it was first published in May of 2020. Dog clickers are a humane way to train your pet based on positive reinforcement of good behavior. These devices let out a distinctive and consistent click that allows you to create an audio cue that won't be mistaken for anything else. Once your pet has made a connection between hearing the sound and receiving a treat, they're much more likely to want to repeat the actions that cause those clicks. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. PetSafe Clik-R
2. StarMark TCQC
3. Terry Ryan Clik Stik
Editor's Notes
October 12, 2020:
Using a clicker is a remarkably simple yet effective way to humanely teach your dog good behavior through positive reinforcement. By using the clicker while you dole out treats, you make a connection between hearing the distinctive sound and receiving food, which the dog associates with having done something good. That's why it is vital to press the button immediately after your pet has done an action you wish to reward. These training tools are usually very small so they can be easily concealed in your hand, which is important as you only want your dog to be responding to auditory cues and not visual ones. They are often accompanied by a wristband to keep them secure, and a how-to guide to show you how to get the most from your obedience lessons.
If you're new to the game, you may want to buy an inexpensive multi-pack option like the EcoCity 4-Pack or the Downtown Big Button that gives you and the rest of the family their own tool to try. The Karen Pryor i-Click is available in very large packs and has a much less piercing sound, so it's suitable for trainers to give out during classes that may have a few sensitive dogs in attendance. New dog owners may want to try the AMZpets Set as it contains everything you need to get started in obedience lessons such as a shoulder bag, a dog whistle, some indoor bells for potty training and the clicker itself.
Sometimes these items are used in conjunction with other signalling tools or equipment to help train your pet. The Comsmart Potty Trainers, for example, features a bell alongside the clicker, so you can teach your pooch to ring it when it needs to go outside. The Terry Ryan Clik Stik marries a clicker and a target stick so you can positively reinforce your dog's progress through more difficult tricks like playing dead or rolling over.
Finding the right volume level can be difficult. You don't want a sound that's so quiet it can't be heard or discerned from other noises, but at the same time, a shrill or piercing sound can be startling for nervous or anxious hounds and puppies. The StarMark TCQC is particularly loud for example, so may be best suited to dogs that don't scare easily and are working on their long-distance recall. On the other hand, the PetSafe Clik-R is slightly tempered and emits a much softer sound, ideal for puppies and sensitive dogs. The COA Multi can even be adjusted, which means you can find the noise that works for your pet or even use different tones for different dogs, it you're a full-time trainer or multiple-dog owner.
Special Honors
Karen Pryor Academy If you've developed a real passion for dog training and fancy yourself as the next dog whisperer, you can book yourself onto a number of professional courses via this website. Alternatively, you can use this page to find a suitable trainer in your area to help you with your pet's needs. There are also a lot of online versions of courses available. karenpryoracademy.com
4. COA Multi
5. Karen Pryor i-Click
6. EcoCity 4-Pack
7. PetSafe Clik-R Clip
8. AMZpets Set
9. Comsmart Potty Trainers
10. Downtown Big Button
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.