I really like clicker training my dogs because the communication is so clear and so enthusiastic. The moment of the click tells the dog, “YES! That’s what I wanted you to do! You got it!” all in a fraction of a second. I’ve been using clickers for dog training for years now, and always keep a bunch around the house. I thought it would make an interesting article to see what kinds of clickers are available currently.

You can pick up clickers in a variety of places online, as well as in the big box pet stores that may be near where you live. I was going to check out a variety of online sources for clickers, but since Dogwise had a nice variety, I just did the article with their sources. Other places that have clickers include Amazon.com and Clickertraining.com . Another place you can find clickers is eBay, and it’s a good place to find old-style ones. This link takes you to a page of what is currently listed: Dog Clickers on eBay (That’s currently as you read, not as I write!)

For information on clicker training itself, here is the link to the other blog articles on clicker training dogs on this site. Even more useful is the ebook I wrote: Seven Steps to Clicker Training Success with Your Dog, which you can get free by clicking on the link and signing up for my weekly Tuesday morning newsletter. (Of course, it is easy to unsubscribe at any time.)

Four Different Dog Clickers and a Bag

The original dog clickers were box-like. These are still available and they work fine. I have to admit that I prefer the next one…

Karen Pryor and the people who work with her at KPTC created the i-clicker. Its rounded shape and projecting thing for you to click make it easier to use in my opinion. Here it is up close. I just went and got one of my i-clickers (causing excitement in my dogs) and held it up to the computer screen. Monitors differ but the image is maybe 2/3 the size of the real thing. Click on the image to go to Dogwise. What comes up is the page with a 5-pack of these, as that seems to be more practical to me than buying just one — I have never broken one but I am always giving them away with a short pep talk on clicker training! From that page, you can easily click to the page for just one if you wish.

Dogwise also sells a retractable clicker which they created. They call it a Retract-O-Click, and it attaches easily to your clothing. The nylon cord is 30 inches long. It looks to me as though the clicker is the original square style, but I am also guessing that you could attach an i-clicker. Click on the clicker to see it at Dogwise. I may get one of these sometime, so I could always have a clicker handy. With my pedometer already always in one pocket, I’d at least be more balanced!

Dogwise has just added a cute little finger clicker, which evidently fits on your finger and you can click the flat of your hand, thus allowing your hand to also hold treats, a leash, or a target stick… since clicker training would go well if you had three hands, this may help! They say its sound is on the soft side, which could be nice too.

While I was looking around at Dogwise, I came across this nice bag to use for clicker training. You may have a bag that fits around your waist to use, but if not, I highly recommend this one or something of the sort. I almost always put on my waist pack before doing more than just a few minutes of clicker training. It’s certainly like having another hand, maybe like having two! Click on the image to go to Dogwise. This one, designed for the job, can contain lots of treats, clickers, and even a target stick. You can close the top so the treats are not noticeable to the dog.

So there you have it. Sometimes people just use a baby food jar lid or a retractable ball-point pen, but I do think these inexpensive tools do make the communication clearer with your dog. And that is what it’s all about!