What Is Clicker Training?
Written by Kiyoka Tamesue, PSM, KPA CTP
CLICK . TREAT . REPEAT.
At The Cooperative Canine, we believe that clear communication is kind communication. Clicker training is a powerful training tool used to capture and shape desirable behaviors precisely and accurately. This clear, consistent signal helps dogs understand exactly what behavior earned the reward, making it easier for them to learn new skills.
What is it?
Clicker training is a “mark and reward” learning technique that combines principles of both classical and operant conditioning. The sound of a ‘click’ is made by a small hand-held device used to “mark” a desired behavior,** which is then reinforced with a reward.
Using reinforcers to reward and increase the frequency of desirable behaviors is an example of operant conditioning (specifically positive reinforcement), in which behaviors are shaped by their consequences—in this case, receiving a reward for a correct response. It may be helpful to liken the ‘click’ to the sound a camera makes when taking a photo; just as a photo captures a moment in time, a ‘click’ captures a desired behavior, exactly when it happens.
It is important to note that there is nothing magical about a clicker in and of itself. The sound of the ‘click’ only becomes meaningful to your pup after being repeatedly paired with tasty treats or other reinforcers. This is where the principle of classical conditioning comes it — You are simply “conditioning” the sound of the click to mean “I did a good job…now where’s my treat?!”
** Clickers are just one way to mark great behavior. You can use any sound or word, as long as it’s clear and consistent. For example, many people use the word “yes!” to mark desired behaviors instead of a clicker.
How Does it Work?
The ‘click’ comes at the exact moment your dog offers a desired behavior, and the reinforcer is given directly after the ‘click’ (ideally within a ½ second or less). Once the association between the clicker and reward is formed (often called “charging” or “loading” the clicker), the ‘click’ will let your pup know exactly when they’ve offered the correct behavior.
Here’s a breakdown of how clicker training works in practice:
Introducing the Clicker: The first step is to “charge” or “prime” the clicker, which means teaching your dog to associate the sound of the clicker with a positive outcome, like a tasty treat. This is done by simply clicking the clicker and immediately giving your dog a treat, without asking for any behavior. After several repetitions (I recommend at least 10), your dog will start to associate the clicker with the reinforcer.
Marking the Behavior: Once your dog understands that the clicker means a reward is coming, you can start using it to mark behaviors. Let’s say you want to teach your dog to sit. The moment your dog’s rear touches the ground, you click and then give a treat. The click lets your dog know that sitting was the correct behavior, and the reward reinforces it.
Reinforcing with Rewards: The key to clicker training is consistency—always follow the click with a reward. The reward can be a treat, praise, or play, depending on what motivates your dog the most. Over time, your dog will learn that certain actions lead to a click and reward, and they will start offering those behaviors more frequently.
Fading the Clicker: Once your dog reliably performs the desired behavior, you can gradually fade the use of the clicker. At this point, your dog has learned what behavior is expected and the clicker is no longer necessary. However, the reward system remains in place, and you can still use treats, praise, or toys to maintain and reinforce good behavior.
DESIRED BEHAVIOR —> CLICK —> TREAT
NOTE: When you are teaching a new behavior, it is important that you give your dog a treat (or other reinforcer) after every single ‘click.’ If you only follow ‘clicks’ with treats some of the time, the sound will lose its meaning.
Of course, we’re all human and guaranteed to make the occasional mistake, but falling into the habit of not giving reinforcement after each ‘click’ will quickly dilute its meaning as a behavior marker.
Why is Clicker Training is So Effective?
Clicker training is powerful because it’s based on clear communication and positive reinforcement. Here are a few reasons why it’s such an effective training tool:
Precision: The clicker allows you to mark the exact moment your dog does the correct behavior, providing clear, immediate feedback. This precision speeds up the learning process because your dog knows exactly what action earned the reward.
Consistency: The clicker always sounds the same, unlike verbal praise or cues, which can vary in tone or timing. This consistency makes it easier for dogs to understand what is being asked of them.
Motivation: Because the clicker is paired with positive reinforcement, dogs are highly motivated to learn and repeat the behaviors that earn them a click and a treat. This turns training into a fun, rewarding experience for your dog.
Non-Punitive: Clicker training is entirely force-free and relies on rewarding good behavior rather than punishing unwanted behavior. This creates a positive learning environment where your dog feels safe and engaged, building a stronger bond between you and your dog.
Why Use a Clicker?
When training a dog (or any animal), timing is everything…and unfortunately, humans do not always have perfect timing. We often unintentionally reinforce unwanted or incomplete behaviors because by the time we finish fumbling around for a treat, our pup has moved on to a completely different, sometimes undesirable behavior. Clicker training makes it easier to capture the desired behavior precisely when it happens, serving to “bridge” that gap that it can take to deliver a treat.
Remember, CLEAR communication is KIND communication!
NOTE: Treats are NOT the only option. You can use anything that your dog finds rewarding as a reinforcer. Remember, your dog chooses what’s reinforcing to them, not you!
For example, police and service dogs are often rewarded with a quick tug on a rope or a throw of a ball when they have completed a task. If you are unsure whether the reward you are giving your dog is reinforcing or not, ask yourself, “is the behavior I want to see increasing or decreasing?” If it is increasing, then you know you have found something that your pup finds reinforcing!
Will I Need to Use a Clicker Forever?
No. You only need to use the clicker while your furry friend is learning the behavior. Once your dog has mastered the behavior, you can replace the ‘click’ with verbal praise, or a treat (without your marker). If you find your pup will ONLY offer certain behaviors when you are carrying treats, you can try switching to an intermittent reinforcement schedule, where you only reinforce the correct behavior some of the time instead of every time. This can help reduce your dog’s reliance on treats.
