Clicker training uses a sound cue and positive reinforcement to steer your dog towards a trained behavior. Consistency is key to successful clicker training with a dog, so having a clicker tool that is easy to use and reliable will streamline your efforts.
The clicker training practice can be used for a variety of actions and to help your dog develop new skills. For example, if you're trying to teach your dog to shake, you can break it down into three actions—attention, sit, and lift the paw as the third—with a click sound cue and treat reward immediately following each to indict to your dog that the action followed by the sound will ultimately bring about the reward.
Our favorite training clicker is the Karen Pryor Clicker Training i-Click Original Clicker, which is ergonomic, always easy to use with one hand, and is commonly sold in multi-packs. We also found a few other training tools that might be more beneficial for your needs.
Best Overall
Karen Pryor Clicker Training Karen Pryor i-Click
Ergonomic design for comfort
Suitable for sound-sensitive animals
Convenient loop for keychain attachment
Not as effective for training in very noisy conditions
One of the leading voices in clicker training, Karen Pryor's excellent i-Click Original Clickers has an ergonomic design that ensures easy clicking—if it's in your hand, your click won't miss. The i-Click is pocketable, small, and is available in multi-packs (of 3, 5, and 30), since it can be easy to lose the keychain-sized clickers.
Pryor's i-Clicks are designed to be a little quieter than so-called "box" clickers, generating a sound that's consistent but never abrasive to your dog. This makes them usable with shy or sound-sensitive animals, but also means that you might want to check out some of the other recommendations on this list if you intend to conduct training in noisy or otherwise distracting conditions.
While the i-Click has a built-in loop for a string or keychain, it doesn't come with a clip or wrist strap. The Karen Pryor i-Click Original Clicker is available in five different colors. You can also buy the i-Click as part of a Dog Training Kit, complete with a 100-page training manual and "Click-a-Trick" flash cards.
Dimensions: 2 x 1 x 1 inches | Colors: Red, black, blue, purple, green
Best Budget
Frisco Pet Training Clicker
Loud, clear, and consistent click sound
Designed for optimal dexterity
Bungee wristband attached
Only sold at one retailer
Trainers recommend clickers because—unlike your voice which undulates with varying tones and volume—they are consistent and neutral. This dog training clicker from Frisco makes a loud, clear, classic clicking sound when you push the button that your pup will learn to associate with positive reinforcement. The ergonomic design fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and the button sticks out a bit, which makes it easy for you to find and press. It has an attached bungee wristband so you won’t drop it as you perform a hand motion associated with the command.
Dimensions: 2.76 x 1.57 x 0.79 inches | Colors: Teal, black
Best Loud
HoAoOo Pet Training Clicker
Flexible attachment with bungee strap and claw clip
Sold in packs of two or four
Easy to activate button
Button has a tendency to get stuck with repeated use
When you’re training your pup, you need to be ready to click your clicker in an instant so they correctly associate the click with the behavior you’re requesting they perform. These clickers from HoAoOo have a tear-drop shape that’s easy to palm and a large, easy-to-push button that allows you to react instantly. They also have a wrist strap so you won’t accidentally drop the clicker as you go to reward your dog with a tasty healthy treat. The clicker produces a clear, consistent loud sound. They come in a two-pack or a four pack, and are very affordable.
Dimensions: 5.91 x 1.97 x 1.97 inches | Colors: Black, blue, green, orange, yellow
Best for Puppies
SunGrow Clickers Training Tool
Bungee wristband and key ring for attachment
Easily to conceal and hold in hand
Unlikely to startle sensitive ears
Click sound mechanism may decline with repeated use
The Clicker Pet Training Tool by SunGrow is sold as a pack of two or a pack of seven, and each handheld clicker makes the same sound, which is a must for consistency’s sake. The sound from these colorful clickers is audible yet soft and gentle, so it won’t alarm a skittish puppy who is learning about themselves and the world. Each clicker has a keychain and elastic bracelet attached to prevent dropping and to help you remain consistent with your training by keeping the clickers in various locations. The small clickers can also be used with birds and cats.
Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 2 inches | Colors: Pink, black, white, red, blue, orange, green
Best Clicker-Whistle Combo
Coachi Whizzclick Dog Training Clicker
Whistle for recall and clicker for reward training
Whistle can be heard from a distance
Comes with adjustable, reflective lanyard
Complete dimensions of whistle/clicker tool not provided
The Coachi Whizzclick clicker ups the game when it comes to training your dog. This two-in-one training aid has a clicker and a whistle to help train your pet as young as 8 weeks old. The clicker is easy to press and emits a clear sound, and the whistle can be heard by animals and people alike. Use the clicker for reward training and the whistle for recalling your pet if they travel away from you.
It comes with a lanyard (15.75 inches long) that is adjustable and can be worn around your neck or wrist. It's also reflective, so you can see it in the dark.
Dimensions: 3.5 inches | Colors: Navy, light blue
Best With Training Book
PetSafe Clik-R Dog Training Clicker with Training Guide
Brightly colored making it easy to spot
Finger band for holding
Consistent sound
Packaging can be difficult to open
The PetSafe Clik-R Dog Training Tool comes with a guide chock full of helpful and actionable tips that will have your dog sitting, staying, and rolling over in no time. The purple and green clicker makes a short sound that’s consistent (unlike your voice) to help your pup understand when they’re doing something right. The clicker is compact and comes with a finger band that you can attach to your finger for easy holding.
The bright colors of the Clik-R Dog Training Tool help make it easy for you to locate, but unlike other clickers on our list, this one doesn't come in a multi-pack so you can't have clickers stashed throughout your home.
Dimensions: 2.5 x 1.8 x 0.9 Inches | Colors: Purple/green
Best Training Treats
Full Moon Organic Human Grade Training Treats for Dogs
No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives contain no added grains, wheat, or soy
Made with USDA-certified organic ingredients
Bite-sized and crunchy
Second ingredient is cane sugar
When it’s time to train your pup, a tasty reward works in tandem with the clicker. These Full Moon Training Treats are small in size and easy for your dog to chew, which lets you get back to the business at hand.
The bite-sized snacks are made with USDA-certified organic ingredients with cage- and antibiotic-free chicken as the primary ingredient. They are flavorful and have a scent that appeals to canines, but the second ingredient is cane sugar which doesn't contribute nutritionally. On average each chicken-flavored treat contains only three calories, so you are unlikely to cause unintended weight gain. These crunchy treats from Full Moon are made in the United States and are always free of grains, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Ingredients: Organic chicken, organic evaporated cane syrup, organic flax seed, organic ground celery, organic cultured dextrose, organic paprika, salt, natural smoke flavoring, organic rosemary extract, lamb casing | Calories: Three
Final Verdict
The Karen Pryor i-Click Original Clicker is our top choice for most. The training tool is easy to hold and activate, and reliably produces a clear, crisp, and consistent clicking sound. If you are looking for a clicker tool and whistle in one, the Whizzclick by Coachi is designed for convenience and consistency, emitting clear sounds with minimal effort.
What to Look for in a Dog Training Clicker
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.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
This piece was written by Anne Fritz, who has been researching pet products for The Spruce Pets for more than two years. Before writing this article, she consulted with her own dog trainer and gathered information from customer reviews and third-party articles. She is the proud owner of two rescue dogs.