Clicker training for dogs transforms how you communicate with your pet by providing instant, precise feedback when they get it right. This gentle, reward-based method helps dogs of all ages learn faster, build confidence, and develop a deeper bond with their owners. Whether you’re teaching basic obedience or complex behaviours, a clicker gives you the timing and clarity traditional training often lacks.
At Company of Animals, we’ve spent over 40 years at the forefront of dog behaviour and training. Founded by Dr Roger Mugford, a world-renowned animal psychologist whose pioneering methods reshaped how people work with dogs, and now led by Dr Emily Mugford, a veterinary surgeon, every product remains grounded in behavioural science and practical application. Our Pet Centre in Chertsey, Surrey has helped thousands of dogs and their owners since 1979, with CFBA (Canine & Feline Behaviour Association) qualified behaviour specialists informing the development of the Coachi range.
What Is Clicker Training and Why Is It So Effective?
Clicker training is a positive reinforcement method that uses a small handheld device to mark the exact moment your dog performs a desired behaviour. The click acts as a bridge between the action and the reward, telling your dog precisely what earned the treat. This clarity accelerates learning and reduces confusion.
The technique emerged from operant conditioning research and has been successfully applied to train dolphins, horses, cats, and countless dogs worldwide. Unlike traditional methods that focus on correcting mistakes, clicker training encourages dogs to think, problem-solve, and actively participate in their learning.
Why timing matters:
Dogs live in the present. They associate rewards with whatever they’re doing at that exact moment. A clicker allows you to capture the behaviour instantly, even if you’re several steps away or need a second to reach for a treat. That split-second precision makes all the difference in helping your dog understand what you want.
The science behind the click:
The clicker produces a consistent, distinct sound that’s emotionally neutral. Your dog won’t confuse it with everyday noises or your voice, which can vary in tone and volume. Through repeated pairing, your dog learns that the click predicts a treat is coming. The click marks the correct behaviour, but the food reward that follows is what motivates your dog to repeat it.
Research shows that dogs trained with positive reinforcement methods learn faster, retain behaviours longer, and show fewer signs of stress or anxiety compared to aversive techniques. Clicker training builds trust and strengthens your relationship rather than relying on fear or discomfort.
How Clicker Training Works: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
The beauty of clicker training lies in its simplicity. You don’t need prior experience or special skills – just patience, consistency, and the right tools.
Step 1: Charge the clicker
Before you can use the clicker for training, your dog needs to understand what the click means. This process, called “charging” or “loading” the clicker, creates a positive association between the sound and rewards.
Find a quiet space free from distractions. Have your dog training treats ready. Click once, then immediately give your dog a treat. Repeat until the sound of the clicker creates an immediate expectant response from your dog – they’ll perk up, turn towards you, or look for the reward the moment they hear the click. At this stage, don’t ask your dog to perform a behaviour. You are purely building the association between the click and the reward.
Step 2: Mark the behaviour
Once your dog understands that clicks mean treats, you can start marking specific behaviours. Choose something simple to begin with, like your dog touching your hand with their nose.
Wait for your dog to offer the behaviour naturally (or lure them into position with a treat). The instant they perform the action – even partially – click and reward. Timing is critical. The click must happen during or immediately after the behaviour, not before and not too late.
It’s important to understand that the clicker is a marker, not a cue. It doesn’t instruct your dog to perform a behaviour – it confirms they got it right, bridging the gap between action and reward.
Step 3: Add the cue
After your dog reliably offers the behaviour, you can introduce a verbal cue or hand signal. Say “touch” just before you expect your dog to touch your hand, then click and reward when they do. With repetition, your dog will learn that the cue predicts the opportunity to earn a click and treat.
Step 4: Build duration and distance
Once your dog responds consistently to the cue, gradually increase the challenge. Withhold the click for a moment so your dog learns to hold the position until they hear the click – the duration can be gradually increased. Step further away and introduce mild distractions. Remember, once you click, the exercise is over. It doesn’t matter if your dog moves before receiving the reward, as long as they were in the correct position when they heard the click. Always set your dog up for success by progressing slowly.
Step 5: Fade the clicker
The clicker is a teaching tool, not a lifelong crutch. As behaviours become reliable, you can reduce clicker use and replace it with verbal praise and other rewards. Continue rewarding every time – even if it’s just enthusiastic praise – to maintain the behaviour your dog has learned.
The Benefits of Clicker Training
Clicker training offers advantages that extend far beyond teaching basic commands.
Precision and clarity:
The click communicates with perfect timing. Your dog knows exactly which behaviour earned the reward, eliminating guesswork and frustration. This clarity helps dogs learn new behaviours in far fewer repetitions than traditional methods.
Builds confidence:
Dogs trained with positive reinforcement become more willing to try new things. They learn that offering behaviours leads to good outcomes, which encourages problem-solving and engagement. Fearful or shy dogs benefit especially from this approach, as it never involves intimidation or force.
Strengthens your bond:
Training becomes a collaborative game rather than a battle of wills. Your dog sees you as a source of fun and rewards, deepening trust and affection. This positive relationship makes living together more enjoyable for everyone.
Works for all dogs:
Puppies, adolescents, adults, and senior dogs can all learn through clicker training. Breeds with different temperaments respond well because you control the variables – adjusting treat value, session length, difficulty level, and speed of progression to match each dog’s personality and learning style. Whether you have a highly motivated Border Collie or an independent terrier, you can tailor rewards and pace to suit their needs. For noise-sensitive dogs, the Coachi Multi-Clicker offers adjustable volume control, allowing you to reduce the sound to a comfortable level while maintaining clear communication.
Simplifies teaching complex behaviours:
Clicker training is highly effective at shaping intricate behaviours through small increments. You can train tricks like spin, rollover, or fetch by breaking them into manageable steps and clicking each improvement – a process called shaping. This method works brilliantly for everything from basic obedience to dog agility training taught at our Pet Centre.
Reduces unwanted behaviours:
Rather than punishing your dog for getting it wrong, you can use clicker training to teach what you want instead. If your dog jumps up, train an alternative like sitting for greetings. If they pull on the lead, mark and reward loose-lead walking. Focusing on the positive naturally reduces opportunities for problem behaviours.
What You Need to Get Started With Clicker Training
Getting started requires minimal equipment, though quality tools make the process smoother and more effective.
A reliable clicker:
Choose a clicker with a clear, consistent sound. The Coachi Multi-Clicker offers volume control, useful if you have a noise-sensitive dog or need to train in different environments. The Coachi Whizzclick features an easy-press button and a wrist strap for convenience during training sessions, combining both clicker and whistle functionality.
High-value treats:
Select small, soft treats your dog loves. They should be easy to eat quickly so training flows without interruption. Coachi Natural Training Treats are specifically sized for training, keeping sessions efficient while providing the motivation dogs need.
A treat pouch:
Quick access to rewards maintains the precise timing clicker training demands. The Coachi Treat Pouch attaches securely to your belt or waistband, keeping treats within reach while leaving your hands free to handle the clicker and lead.
Training treats for puppies:
If you’re starting with a young dog, Puppy Natural Training Treats provide age-appropriate rewards that support healthy development while keeping training sessions positive and productive.
Clicker Training for Puppies
Puppies are natural learners, and introducing clicker training early sets them up for a lifetime of positive interactions and good behaviour.
Start young:
You can begin clicker training as soon as your puppy comes home, typically around eight weeks. Keep sessions short (five minutes or less) to match their limited attention span. Multiple brief sessions throughout the day prove more effective than one long session.
Focus on foundations:
Start with simple skills like name recognition and coming when called. These form the building blocks for everything else. Keep early training straightforward – you can add more complex behaviours as your puppy develops. The Coachi Multi-Clicker works perfectly for puppies, with adjustable volume that lets you start gently and avoid startling noise-sensitive pups. If you also want to introduce whistle recall training, the Coachi Whizzclick combines both tools in one device.
Common Clicker Training Issues
Even experienced trainers occasionally encounter challenges. Understanding common issues helps you troubleshoot effectively and stay on track.
Problem: Your dog doesn’t seem interested in treats
Solution: Experiment with different treats to find what truly motivates your dog. Some dogs prefer cheese, cooked chicken, or commercial treats. Training before meals, when your dog is hungry, can increase food motivation. For dogs genuinely uninterested in food, try using training toys as rewards instead.
Problem: Timing feels difficult
Solution: Develop your timing through practice games that don’t involve your dog. Ask a friend or family member to perform simple, repeatable actions like catching a ball, touching their nose, or clapping. Click at the precise moment they complete the action. This mechanical practice sharpens your timing without risking the clicker association you’ve built with your dog. Never click without treating during actual training – this will weaken the association.
Problem: Your dog gets overexcited
Solution: Enthusiasm is positive – it shows your dog is engaged and motivated. If your dog gets overexcited, use it as an opportunity to build impulse control. Simply wait calmly for them to settle and offer the behaviour you want, then click and treat. This teaches your dog that calm behaviour earns rewards, even when they’re feeling excited.
Problem: Progress has stalled
Solution: Break the behaviour into smaller steps. If your dog isn’t getting it, you may be asking for too much too soon. Reward approximations of the final behaviour and gradually raise your criteria. Sometimes taking a break for a day or two allows learning to consolidate.
Problem: Your dog only responds with the clicker present
Solution: This often happens when your dog has learned to respond to the sight of the clicker rather than the cue. Use the clicker from behind your back or inside a pocket so your dog can’t see whether you have it or not. This helps them focus on the verbal or hand cue rather than the presence of the clicker itself.
Using Clickers and Whistles Together
Clickers and whistles are different tools that serve distinct purposes – and they work brilliantly together. They’re not alternatives to each other; instead, they complement different aspects of training.
Clicker training:
Best for teaching new behaviours, shaping complex actions, and working at close to medium distances. The clicker provides precise timing feedback during the learning phase. It works brilliantly for obedience, tricks, and behaviour modification.
Whistle training:
Designed primarily for dog recall training, whistle training excels when working at distance. A whistle carries further than your voice and provides a consistent cue that dogs can hear clearly outdoors. The Coachi Training Whistle produces a distinctive tone that cuts through environmental noise.
You can use both tools together. Train basic recall with a clicker at close range, marking the exact moment your dog turns towards you or reaches you. Add a whistle as you increase distance – the whistle becomes the cue to return, while the clicker continues to mark the moment they respond correctly, and treats provide the reward when your dog reaches you.
Recommended Tools for Better Training Results
Successful training depends on having the right equipment readily available.
Clickers:
- Coachi Multi-Clicker – Adjustable volume for different environments and noise-sensitive dogs
- Coachi Whizzclick – Combines clicker and whistle in one tool for training at close and distance range
Treat pouches:
- Coachi Treat Pouch – Secure, hands-free access during training
- Coachi Treat Bag – Larger capacity for extended sessions
Training treats:
- Natural Training Treats – Perfect size and motivation for adult dogs
- Puppy Training Treats – Age-appropriate rewards for young dogs
Training accessories:
- Target Stick – Guides movement and teaches positional cues
- Training Lead – Maintains control while teaching loose-lead walking
Final Thoughts
Clicker training offers a scientifically sound, enjoyable way to teach your dog new skills while strengthening your relationship. The method works because it respects how dogs learn naturally, providing clear communication without confusion or stress.
Company of Animals has championed positive reinforcement training for decades. Our Coachi training range reflects the expertise developed at our Pet Centre, where we’ve worked with hundreds of thousands of dogs since 1979. From our clickers and treat pouches to our training leads and toys, every product supports the kind of training that builds confident, happy dogs.
Whether you’re teaching a puppy their first sit or helping an older dog master new tricks, clicker training gives you the tools to communicate clearly and celebrate success. Visit our training resources to learn more about positive reinforcement methods, or explore our product range to find the perfect tools for your training journey.
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FAQs
What is clicker training for dogs?
Clicker training is a positive reinforcement technique that uses a small device to mark the exact moment your dog performs a desired behaviour. The click acts as a bridge between the action and the reward, helping dogs learn faster through clear, immediate feedback.
Is clicker training suitable for all dog breeds?
Yes, clicker training works effectively with all breeds, ages, and temperaments. The method adapts to individual dogs because you control the pace, difficulty, and type of rewards. Whether you have a highly motivated working breed or a more independent temperament, clicker training provides clear communication that builds understanding.
When should I start clicker training my dog?
You can begin clicker training as soon as your dog joins your household, typically around eight weeks for puppies. Adult dogs and seniors also learn successfully through this method. Start with simple behaviours and short sessions, adjusting to your dog’s concentration span and energy level.
Can I use clicker training for senior dogs?
Absolutely. Older dogs benefit from the mental stimulation clicker training provides. The gentle, positive approach suits dogs with physical limitations or health conditions. You may need to adjust treat types or use softer rewards, but the training principles remain the same.
How long does it take to train a dog with a clicker?
Dogs often learn simple behaviours within a few short sessions, sometimes in under 10 minutes. More complex skills require more time and practice. Consistency matters more than session length – several brief training periods throughout the day prove more effective than one long session.