clicker

A clicker is a small handheld device that produces a brief, distinctive click when pressed. In animal training, the click serves as a marker that indicates the exact moment a desired behavior occurs, occurring just before a reward is delivered.

Mechanically, the click is paired with a primary reinforcer, such as food, so the animal learns that the sound predicts a reward. During training, the trainer waits for the target behavior, emits the click at the precise moment it happens, and then provides the treat. After repeated pairings, the click becomes a conditioned reinforcer that can be used to shape increasingly complex behaviors. The method supports precise timing, clear communication, and can reduce the need for continuous guidance.

Clicker training is used across species, including dogs, cats, horses, birds, dolphins, and laboratory animals, as well as in wildlife rehabilitation and performance contexts. Advantages include consistent feedback, nonverbal signaling, and versatility in shaping behavior. Limitations involve the need for careful timing and consistency, the requirement to pair the click with rewards, potential habituation to the sound, and the possibility that some tasks are better trained with alternative methods or cues.

Historically, the practice is associated with operant conditioning research and was popularized in modern pet training by Karen Pryor in the 1980s and 1990s. Variants of the tool include different styles of plastic or metal shells, finger-operated versions, and electronic or silent feedback systems, all serving the core function of marking a correct behavior.