Klicker

Klicker, also spelled clicker, refers to a small handheld device that emits a brief, distinct clicking sound when pressed. It is widely used as a conditioned marker in training, signaling that a desired behavior has been performed correctly and will be reinforced with a reward. The concept is central to clicker training, a form of positive reinforcement.

In practice, the clicker is paired with rewards; trainers click at the moment the target behavior occurs, then provide a treat. Over time, the animal learns to associate the sound with reinforcement. The approach was developed in the mid-20th century and popularized by proponents such as Karen Pryor, and has since been applied to dogs, cats, horses, dolphins, birds, and other species, as well as in some educational and behavioral contexts.

Most clickers are inexpensive plastic devices with a metal strip that produces the crackling sound. Some models offer adjustable pitch or volume. The click is designed to be a distinct, quick, and repeatable sound that is easy for the animal to hear from a distance.

Advantages include precise timing, positive reinforcement focus, and the ability to mark a gradual improvement without using punitive methods. Limitations include the need for consistent pairing with rewards, potential confusion if overused or clicked without a behavior, and variability in effectiveness across species and individual animals. Some trainers substitute verbal markers or whistles where appropriate; others use digital or smartphone-based clickers.