The Best Dog Training Clickers
Aside from being infinitely rewarding, having a pet can also be quite a challenge. Teaching Charlie or Lulu how to behave is a complicated, albeit essential task, especially if your pooch is a puppy. That's where these clickers come in. Dog training clickers utilize sound as a behavioral cue. By using positive reinforcement, these contraptions help your pooch learn proper housebreaking habits, appropriate social behavior, and even clever tricks. While there isn't much variety from model to model, factors like comfort, click volume, and ergonomics make a difference. We have examined the best dog training clickers on the market and whittled down the options to the best of the best.
What to Look For
We kept the following three things in mind while searching for the best dog training clickers: Does it produce a distinct, audible sound? Does it have an ergonomic design that’s comfortable to hold? Is it easy to use? Our favorite was the clicker from PetSafe, which has a finger loop making it easy to carry, and comes with an instruction booklet featuring tips and tricks to help train your pup. We were also impressed by the clicker from Oyefly, which makes a distinctive noise when licked and has a convenient wristband. Read on to learn more about our top picks and discover the right one for your pup.
PetSafe Click-R Trainer
Easy does it
Louder isn’t always better. A harsh, resounding clicker won’t work well, especially if your dog is jumpy, sensitive to sounds, or easily frightened. You can make the training experience much easier for you and your furry friend by purchasing a unit with a gentle click. The Click-R trainer from PetSafe does all these things and more. Its sound is softer than most clickers but still distinct enough to stand out. We also like that it’s one of the most comfortable clickers out there, and the finger loop is a welcome feature that makes it even easier to hold.
Pros:
- Spring functions well
- Includes a guide to clicker training
- The customer service team is US-based
- Great for training sensitive dogs
Cons:
- The button may get stuck occasionally
Oyefly Dog Training Clicker with Wrist Strap, 2 Pack
Keep it on hand
Unless you’re an organizational genius, you’ve probably found keeping track of your dog clickers challenging. That’s why the clickers from Oyefly come with straps you can clip to a leash or belt loop. You can even loop the lightweight strap to itself and wear it around your wrist. Moreover, these clickers have a sound that’s the perfect volume to get your dog’s attention without hurting their ears.
Pros:
- The click is effective but not too loud
- Super inexpensive
- The cute design is easy to grasp for long training sessions
Cons:
- Requires a bit of thumb strength, so it’s not ideal for small children
Masbrill Clicker Training for Dogs
We’ve already sung the praises of a wrist strap with a clip, so we were immediately sold when we saw that this option came with four. This is the perfect set when you need to stock up on clickers to have one on hand at all times. What’s more, it comes at a bargain price. Although inexpensive, the clickers are made of high-quality materials and emit consistent clicks every time.
Pros:
- Ideal for always keeping one on hand
- Easy to press the button
- The wristband is a must-have feature for those prone to losing things
Cons:
- The first ring connecting the wrist strap to the clicker is thin
Coolrunner Dog Training Clicker with Wrist Bands, 7 Pieces
Color me canine
Another excellent value purchase, this seven-piece set comes in seven different colors, making it easy to keep track of them and adding a touch of style. After all, if we’re going to train our dogs, we might as well look good doing it. Of course, your colorblind canine might not be able to distinguish between the orange and the red, but it’s still nice to have a variety. The clickers function nicely and feature extra-large buttons for smooth and intuitive clicking.
Pros:
- The buttons press easily and emit a medium-volume click
- Soft and stretchy wristbands included
- A little larger than normal, these clickers are hard to lose and easy to grip
Cons:
- Might be a bit too loud for anxious dogs
Karen Pryor Clik Stik
Target acquired
If you’re planning on using a target stick with a clicker to train your dog, Karen Pryor’s Clik Stik is your best bet. As a two-in-one clicker and retractable target stick, it frees up one hand, allowing you to give your pup treats with the other. While target sticks are less ubiquitous than clickers, there are plenty of folks out there who swear by them. A target stick is a training aid that helps direct your pooch’s movement. The stick has a ball at the end, and by training your dog to follow it, you can teach her to move to particular locations. It’s great for teaching targeting, weave poles, heeling, and many other movement-oriented behaviors.
Pros:
- The telescoping rod expands to 23 inches
- Great for teaching tricks
- Unique design
Cons:
- Click is a bit harsh
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of using a clicker for dog training?
A clicker is often considered superior to standard verbal training if you can manage to use it correctly and consistently. It often results in dogs learning tricks and commands more quickly because a click provides a constant tone that’s impossible to reproduce with a human voice. The click is a sound cue, and if the cue always sounds the same (as is the case with a clicker), there’s little ambiguity about what the cue is signifying. On the other hand, a voice can sound different depending on your mood, energy level, or whether or not you have a cold or illness. So when you say “good girl” to Phoebe with a tired, withdrawn weariness in your voice, it may confuse her. The clicker’s consistency is what makes it reliable and more easily controllable.
Are there downsides to using a clicker?
If you’re going to use a dog-training clicker, understanding the methodology behind clicker training is important. If you don’t use the gadget correctly, the method is rendered completely ineffective, and in fact, you may end up confusing your dog even more than if you were to do nothing at all. This isn’t to say that clicker training is super complicated or anything. Dog clicker training is actually quite simple, and there are plenty of online resources and in-house training courses at pet stores. A few of the products we included even come with training manuals.
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