3 Best Dog Training Clickers (11+ Tested & Reviewed!)

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Hand holding clicker in front of white fluffy dog

Note: While we tested clickers on dogs, our top picks are equally great for training other pets and children.

Are you training your new puppy? Or, maybe you are considering becoming a full-time dog trainer.

Many professional dog trainers swear by clickers, claiming that they allow you to train your dog faster.

So, we put them to the test.

All told, we spent over 100 hours testing and reviewing 11+ different dog training clickers, pressing each one hundreds of time until our fingers were sore.

Seriously, check them out…

The best dog training clickers we tested and reviewed

We tested for ease-of-use, loudness and effectiveness during dog training. All to answer a simple question:

Which clicker is best for training your dog?

Our Top Picks

PetSafe Clik-R Trainer Top Pick - Best All-Round Dog Clicker

Best Overall

Clik-R Training

Good2Go Soft Clicker Top Pick - Softest Dog Clicker

Softest

Good2Go Soft Clicker

Traditional Box Clicker Top Pick - Loudest Dog Clicker

Loudest

Box Clicker

Want the answer? Then, read on!

The best dog clickers

In our hunt to find the best, we tested and reviewed over 11 different dog training clickers.

To start, I show you the best dog training clicker for most trainers. From there, I describe the loudest and quietest dog clickers.

Best Overall Dog Clicker

PetSafe Clik-R Trainer Top Pick - Best All-Round Dog Clicker

PetSafe Clik-R Trainer

A comfortable, easy-to-hold clicker that produces a loud, crisp clicking sound.

What makes this clicker so great is that it’s always within easy reach. Located on the back is an elastic strap that stretches over your fingers, holding it in place.

If you’ve never tried a clicker with a finger loop, I thoroughly recommend making the upgrade. In my opinion, there is no going back.

I was able to hold Harper’s leash, treats and click this clicker all at once. It’s like having a third hand!

PetSafe Clik-R winner of the best dog training clicker for most people

I was a little concerned about the thickness at first. It’s the thickest clicker I tested. However, even the thumb of my small, lady hands was easily able to reach the button without straining. I am pleased to report that the Clik-R performed just as well in my husband’s big meaty paws too.

The click is loud, crisp and distinct. Harper, flinched the first few times she heard it but quickly got used to it.

Loudest Dog Training Clicker

Traditional Box Clicker Top Pick - Loudest Dog Clicker

Petco Box Clicker

If you want a loud click, this is for you. This clicker gives off a click that is louder than any other.

If you want the loudest possible clicker, then this is it. If your dog has sensitive hearing or is scared of sudden sounds, then skip this – compared to other clickers, it booms.

Interestingly, this is the old style of clicker. When I was first introduced to clicker training yeeears ago, this was basically the only design available. It was interesting to observe that while newer clicker designs are more comfortable and easier to hold, you can’t beat the original in terms of loudness.

Instead of a button, you push your finger inside the box, bending a small piece of metal. As the metal pops back up, it makes a roaring click sound. It may sound tinny, but it sure is loud.

Male hand pressing loud box clicker with thumb

Over time, I noticed that the square shape became uncomfortable to hold. The hard plastic corners dug into the flesh of my palm. However, this was only really a problem during longer training sessions.

If your dog is hard of hearing or a great distance away, then the loud click is exactly what you want. However, due to its boxy design, I can’t recommend it as an everyday clicker.

Roxy is a Yorkshire Terrier who is incredibly noise-sensitive. Sudden noises startle her delicate Yorkie ears. It was no surprise that most of the clickers I tested made her flinch, even when she knew a treat was coming.

The Soft Clicker was the exception. She responded positively to the gentler click that was given off. Admittedly, it did take a few clicks before she was used to it, but the same can be said when introducing any dog to a clicker for the first time.

When we measured the Soft Clicker with our noise meter, we discovered that it was 4x softer than the next quietest clicker.

Despite the gentler sound, our dogs easily identified the click during training. The tone may be less sharp, but it’s distinct. However, if you are distance training in an open field or noisy area, you might want something a little louder.

Soft dog training clicker held in palm of hand

As far as design and function are concerned, the Soft Clicker gets my seal of approval. It features a similar finger strap as my top pick, keeping it within easy reach of my thumb at all times – I could comfortably press this clicker all day.

An all-around great clicker for noise-sensitive dogs. If loud, harsh clicks scare your pup, then check this out!

Softest Dog Clicker

Good2Go Soft Clicker Top Pick - Softest Dog Clicker

Good2Go Soft Clicker

A soft, gentle click that is perfect for noise-sensitive dogs that scare easily.

The dog clickers that didn’t make the cut

Let’s face it, clickers are a fairly simple device. Truth be told, any clicker you buy will get the job done. After all, each one makes a clicking sound.

With that said, not every clicker can be a winner. The following clickers fell short in one way or another when compared to our top picks.

Based on our testing, the above recommendations get everything right. In comparison, there is little reason to choose a runner up.

EcoCity’s Dog Training Clicker with Wrist Strap would be our go-to pick for anyone looking to buy cheap clickers in bulk. Don’t be fooled by the price, these clickers are great. They are near identical to the StarMark Pro-Training Clicker Deluxe but without the flaws. The Elastic Strap can clip to a belt loop or to the clicker to make a wrist strap. The click is loud and sharp. If you want a clicker with a wristband, then this should be your go-to choice. Available in a 4-pack, they offer incredible value for your money. My only complaint is that the button presses with minimal pressure, which can lead to accidental activation.

Karen Pryor is arguably the mother of clicker training. She helped bring clicker training mainstream back in the 90s. Unsurprisingly, she has her own line of dog clickers. While she still sells the traditional box clicker, the i-Click dog training clicker is by far the favorite. As you would expect, these clickers get a lot of things right. They are easy-to-use, have a loud, crisp sound and the large, raised button makes it more difficult to accidentally press. However, the drawback to the button was that if you don’t press the center, and instead press the edge, it sticks and doesn’t make a clicking sound. Another downside is that there are no attachments included. The lanyard loop found on the end of each clicker could also connect to a key chain or wrist band, but you’ll have to buy these separately. With all that said, Karen Pryor has created a strong contender.

Next, the StarMark Pro-Training Clicker was the big letdown – the button sticks. Not every time. But often enough that it prevented consistently marking the training with a click. And when it comes to training, consistency is key! This same flaw was found on all three clickers. It’s a shame because otherwise there is a lot to love. The clicker feels good to hold, and the button is within easy reach. Fortunately, many competitors have a similar design, such as EcoCity, which don’t have the same flaw.

The StarMark Pro-Training Clicker Deluxe is essentially the same clicker only more expensive. What makes it
deluxe is a change in color (black and yellow) and the inclusion of a coiled wrist band, a feature that comes standard on many of the other clickers we tested. Besides these minor differences, it has the same flaws as the base model – the button on the clicker constantly gets stuck.

The Good2Go Dog Training Clicker offers a wristband, keychain clip and lanyard that can be connected to a
carabiner. And, that was the most exciting part about this clicker. Like their other clicker, which we preferred, the thumb rests over the clicker cutouts, resulting in a softer sound. The teardrop shape was easy enough to hold, but it didn’t give us any reason to choose it over another clicker.

The Pro-Training Quicker Clicker by StarMark was the only clicker that was borderline unusable. The unique cylinder shape of this clicker is designed to slide over a belt, waistband or even the edge of a training pouch. The problem is that this clip doesn’t grip. It sits loose, slips, slides and falls off every few clicks. The only way I could hold it in place was clipping it to the inside pocket of my jeans – but this position won’t be easily accessible for certain tricks, like shaking a paw. It’s a shame. If the clip were better designed, I could easily recommend this clicker as an easy-to-hold alternative to the clickers with a finger strap.

Out of all the clickers I tested, the Downtown Pet Supply Clicker was my least favorite by far. The design looks eerily similar to the Karen Pryor i-Click. That’s where the similarity ends, however, because this clicker performed worse in almost every way. The narrow shape and gloss finish made the clicker difficult to grip. In fact, it was down-right slippery. At least the bulky wrist cord stopped the clicker from falling to the ground while I was training, although the cord on one of the clickers broke in the first session. Another had the clicker button fail so that it no longer clicked. The only redeeming feature is that these clickers come in a pack of 4 at a bargain price.

The Top Paw Pet Training clicker is an in-store brand only available at PetSmart. This was the only clicker not to pass the crush test. It broke into pieces when “accidentally” stepped on. Otherwise, it’s just an average clicker. Given its price, we see no reason to recommend it over our cheaper top picks.

What is a dog training clicker and do you need one?

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier staring at owner confused by the clicker being held in hand during training

A clicker is a small, hand-held device with a button. As the name suggests, when you press the button, it makes a distinct, loud “click” sound.

How a clicker works is quite simple. Inside the clicker is a small metal strip. When you press the button, it bends this strip. When you release the button, this metal strip pops up, making a
click sound.

Yep. That’s it. A clicker is a simple, cheap device. But in dog training, it has a very specific use.

Let’s say you are training your dog to shake. Once your dog places his paw in your hand, you would say “good” or “yes” or whatever phrase you want. Then, you give your dog a treat as a reward for completing the task.

Australian Shepherd staring at dog treats while being clicker trained

By saying this phrase, you let your pup know the exact behavior that results in the treat. Your pup will associate this sound with his reward. In dog training, this sound is referred to as the
marker.

That’s where a clicker comes in. Instead of saying “good,” you simply press a button. This click sound becomes the marker.

Clicker training Corgi to shake his paw with dog trainer

Don’t worry! You won’t have to use a clicker forever. Once your dog learns the new trick or behavior, you won’t need it anymore. A clicker is used in training only.

Golden Retriever shaking hand in park without a clicker

Training your dog with a clicker is referred to as
clicker training, and it offers a couple of advantages over using a voice marker.

1. Quicker and more precise – Many find it quicker to press a button at the exact moment your dog performs a task than saying a word.

2. Constant tone – The sound the clicker makes is the same every time. The sound of your voice can change, such as when you have a cold.

Now, you may be wondering:

Is a clicker necessary to train your dog?

The effectiveness of using a clicker in dog training is still being debated. Some research indicates that using a clicker significantly speeds up the rate at which dogs learn a new behavior.[1]

However, a recent study shows that using a voice command is equally effective as using a clicker.[2]

Even if the worst case scenario is true, a clicker is still an effective training aid.

Australian Shepherd raising paw as owner presses clicker during training

Interestingly, the majority of professional dog trainers we interviewed preferred using a clicker. They listed precision as the number one reason. Besides, when training dozens of dogs each day, your voice can get raspy when constantly yelling voice commands.

Australian Shepherd high fiving trainer hand while being clicker trained

When I was a beginner with no previous dog training experience, I had a preference for using the clicker. Make no mistake, you can
certainly train your dog without a clicker. It is by no means an essential product. But based on my experience, if I had the choice to train with a clicker or skip it completely, I would use a clicker every time.

Still on the fence? Fortunately, clickers are very affordable. Even if this is
another product that gets lost in the depths of your junk drawer, it will only cost you a couple of dollars.

Not training your dog or don’t plan to in the future? Then, you don’t need a clicker. Spend your money on dog products you
do need, such as dog bowls and dog toys!

It might surprise you to learn that clickers are not just used for training dogs. They can also be used to train cats, horses, dolphins, elephants and even children (seriously!). Even so, clickers are most commonly used to train dogs. And, that’s exactly what I focus on in this clicker review.

For long distance dog training you should use a dog whistle instead. The sound is louder and travels further. Check out our review of the best dog whistles for more info.

Our testing process

Clickers lined up ready to be tested and reviewed to find the best

At DogLab, we take reviewing darn seriously. We would never recommend a product that we wouldn’t happily use with our own precious pooches. That’s why we thoroughly tested every clicker featured in this guide.

By the end of the process, we spent a combined 100+ hours researching, testing and reviewing the most popular (and even some unpopular) dog training clickers on the market.

Want to learn more about our testing process? Read on!

Rounding up the dog clickers

It all started with choosing which clickers to test.

We soon learned that there isn’t a wide selection of clickers on the market. While there are hundreds of different brands of clickers, many are just rebranded. What I mean is that the clicker is identical in design and performance but has a different brand name.

Once we weeded out the duplicates, not many clickers remained. Given that clickers are such an affordable product, we decided to test all of them!

All up, we put 8 different brands to the test.

  • EcoCity
  • Downtown Pet Supply
  • Good2Go
  • Karen Pryor
  • Petco
  • PetSafe
  • StarMark
  • Top Paw

With our list complete, it was time to go shopping. Each clicker featured in our review was purchased from Amazon.com or PetSmart. Yep, at DogLab, we buy every product at the exact same price you would pay.

Once our clickers were delivered, it was time to test them!

How did we test the dog clickers?

Since clickers are used to train dogs, it makes sense to test each clicker while training a dog, right? I took full advantage of this review to train my pup while getting paid for it, thanks DogLab!

Let me introduce you to my training buddy:

Harper

Harper the German Shepherd Border Collie mix dog training clicker tester

Breed: German Shepherd x Border Collie mix

Harper has learned new tricks! She can now “wait,” “go ahead” and be recalled when off the leash. Who knew a clicker, treats and training was everything needed to turn this disobedient pup into a well-behaved pooch?

I also tested the clickers on a variety of other dogs, including a particularly timid Yorkie, a deaf French Bulldog and a playful Labrador, to see how they would respond to the sound of each clicker.

Speaking of sound, I used a sound meter to rank each clicker by how loud it was. The nosier the clicker, the higher the reading.

Finally, I tested the following:

Durability – Each clicker was stepped on with a rubber-soled shoe on a hardwood floor.

Ease of use – How easy was it to activate each clicker during training?

Each of these factors contributed to which clickers we recommend. Our top picks excel in both these areas.

Our testing observations

While testing the qualities listed above, we made some observations that are worth mentioning.

Most clickers have about the same loudness

Red dog training clicker sitting on floor next to sound meter to measure decibels

Okay, I’ll admit that this surprised me a bit.

When we tested the sound, almost ever clicker measured within 2 decibels of each other. To put this simply, most clickers are as loud as each other.

However, our human testers didn’t think so. When we asked them to rank how loud each clicker was, we received very different feedback.

Why are the results so different? We suspect it comes down to the actual tone that each clicker makes rather than its loudness.

Clickers that made a loud, tinny sound were typically ranked as louder than those that made a crisper sound – even when they measured the same on our sound meter.

I guess the takeaway is that you can’t trust your ears to determine the loudness of a clicker.

However, two clickers stood out. One was ultra quiet, and the other was super loud. In fact, according to our testing, it was 10 times louder than the next clicker in terms of noise.

The softer sounding clicker is suitable for puppies and dogs that are startled by loud noises. The loudest clicker is better suited for training in an open field when your dog is a good distance away – I’ll reveal these clickers later in the review.

You’ll probably need to buy more than one clicker

4 dog clickers with wrist straps in red, blue, white and black colors

Like most small pieces of plastic, clickers are easy to lose. Unless you are particularly organized, these small devices will get lost in your junk drawer or roll under the front seat of your car.

Even if you don’t lose it, there is always the possibility of it breaking. I accidentally crushed a clicker when I stepped on it while looking for where I dropped it.

Trust me when I say this:

It’s very frustrating going to train your dog only to realize you don’t have a clicker on hand.

Once you find your favorite clicker, buy a spare – just in case. This way, you won’t have to madly dash to the shops before your puppy training session.

Fortunately, many clickers come in packs of three or more. Whether you lose or break them, you’ll have another ready to use at a moment’s notice.

How you hold the clicker matters

When training your dog, it often feels like you need an extra hand. With holding your dog’s leash in one hand and treats in the other, juggling a clicker can be difficult.

Because of this, many clickers come with a method of attaching the clicker to your body.

Some wrap around your wrist…

White dog training clicker hanging off wrist by stretchy wrist strap

Others clip over your waistband, belt or pocket…

Dog training clicker hoodked on back pocked on pair of jeans held up by belt

And others strap to your finger.

Dog training clicker connected to finger by finger strap

Some clickers came without these attachments, but they featured loops or rings that can attach to a lanyard or keychain.

During testing, I found the finger strap variety of clicker to work the best. While other attachments kept the clicker nearby, you still had to reach for them.

The strap kept the clicker in the palm of your hand without having to grip it with your fingers – it was always within easy reach of my thumb.

Conclusion

Phew, if you made it this far, congratulations! You now know which clicker is best for training your pooch.

A recap of our results…

The best clickers we tested:

Which clicker do you use to train your dog? Let me know in the comments below!

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The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

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