You don't need a professional trainer or hours a day to teach your dog new skills. With a clicker, a handful of treats, and five minutes, you can start today.
How clicker training works
The click is a marker. It tells your dog, "Yes, that exact thing you just did is what earned the treat." Because the sound is crisp and consistent, it communicates more precisely than your voice, which changes with mood and tone.
Step 1: Charge the clicker
Before teaching anything, your dog needs to learn that click means treat. Click, then immediately give a small treat. Repeat 10 to 15 times. Soon your dog's ears will perk up at the sound.
Step 2: Teach your first behavior ("Sit")
- Hold a treat above your dog's nose and move it slowly back over their head.
- The moment their rear touches the ground, click.
- Give the treat right away.
- Repeat 5 to 10 times, then add the word "sit" just before they do it.
Golden rules
- Click once, treat once. Every click earns a reward.
- Timing is everything. Click the instant the behavior happens.
- Keep sessions short, around 5 minutes, and end on a win.
- Never use the clicker to call or scold. It only means "yes!"
Our pick: the ClickPro Dog Training Clicker
The ClickPro Dog Training Clicker is the classic tool for positive-reinforcement training. It delivers a crisp, consistent click, has a keychain wrist strap so it's always within reach, and comes in 14 colors.
FAQ
Does it work for older dogs? Yes. Dogs of any age can learn with clicker training.
Click, treat, repeat. Get the ClickPro Training Clicker and start your first session tonight.