Clicker Training for Dogs: Could It Be Better than Dog Treats?

I haven't always been a fan of clicker training for dogs. In fact, it confused me. Why does a dog respond to clicking? It doesn't even taste good. If I had to compare clicker training vs treat training, I would have said, of course, training with dog treats is better.

Then, a few years back, I met my new neighbor, Rachel. She was working with her Australian Shepherd, Bondi, a notoriously hard-to-train dog. Australian Shepherds are called stubborn. But I think they're just independent by nature, like most working dogs.

Every time Bondi looked up at her, Rachel clicked a little device and handed him a treat.

I had to ask, “What’s the deal with the clicking?”

Rachel grinned. “Clicker training! It’s like a shortcut to getting him to understand what I want.”

I watched as Bondi sat, lay down, and even spun in a circle—all with just a simple click, sometimes without a treat.

I immediately bought one and read up on clicker training for beginners. It was a game-changer for my terrier, Pixie. She went from hyper and distractible to focused and eager to learn new commands.

So, I can't take credit for discovering the clicker. In our neighborhood, at least, that credit goes to Rachel. But I will share what I've learned about this astounding dog training tool.

What is Clicker Training for Dogs?

Clicker training is a positive reinforcement training method. It helps dogs understand exactly what behavior earns them a reward. The click acts as a precise marker, letting your dog know the exact moment they did something right.

Clicker Training vs. Treat Training

Preciseness is harder to achieve with dog treats alone. And for a distractible dog like my Pixie, that split-second delay can lead to confusion about what I'm rewarding.

This used to mean that dog training would take longer. Now, I can train her on a completely new skill in 15-20 minutes. I'm serious!

So, a clicker is like saying, "yes. that's it." in a language a dog can understand. But there's a catch. The click doesn't mean anything to the dog until you create an association between click and treat.

How to Use a Clicker for Dog Training

Ready to try clicker training for beginners? Here’s a step-by-step guide.

1. Charge the Clicker

Charging a clicker the first time can take up to 45 minutes.

That's a joke.

Most clickers don't require charging. It's a cheap mechanical training tool you can buy on Amazon for around $5.

Charging a clicker means teaching the dog that click = reward.

Before using the clicker for commands, your dog needs to understand that click = treat.

• Click, then immediately give a dog treat.
• Repeat 10-15 times.
• Soon, your dog will perk up when they hear the click, expecting a treat. Now, you know they're ready.

Step 2: Start with a Simple Command

Begin with an easy behavior your dog already does, like sitting.

1. Say “Sit.”
2. When your dog sits, click the moment their butt touches the ground.
3. Give them a treat right after the click.

Timing is everything. The click must happen at the exact moment the desired behavior happens—not a second before or after.

Fortunately, Pixie already knew how to sit, so this part was easy. To make a strong association, it's vital to use high-value dog treats like single-ingredient beef lung bites.

Step 3: Add More Commands

Once your dog understands the clicker, you can use it to teach down, stay, come, and even tricks. First, go through all of the basics using your clicker.

Dogs can learn as many as 120 unique commands.

For example, if you want to teach spin:

1. Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose and slowly guide them in a circle.
2. As soon as they complete the spin, click and then treat.
3. Repeat until they associate the command with the action.

Step 4: Teach More Complex Commands Like Wave

Teaching dogs commands like "Wave" is harder because lifting their paws isn't natural unless they reach for something like your hand. It may not be very clear to the dog what you want them to do.

As Amanda demonstrates in this video, you teach wave by pulling your hand up for a high five and then pulling it away.

This might not seem very clear to a dog. Why did you take your hand away like you're saying "down low, too slow"?

They might think they did something wrong because they didn't make contact.

Adding a click when they reach for your hand and miss lets them know they did it right.

And voila! You have a wave.

Common Mistakes in Clicker Training

• Clicking too early or too late – If you don’t time it right, your dog won’t connect the click to the right behavior.
• Forgetting to reward – The click is a promise. If you click, you must follow with a treat.
• Using the clicker as a command – The click is a marker, not a cue. Say the command before clicking.
• Overusing the clicker – Once your dog understands a command, you can phase out the clicker and use treats and praise.
• Over-serving treats— Treats should be no more than 10% of a dog's diet. So, it's important to use treats correctly as teaching tools and occasionally just to show love.

Once your dog has learned a new skill and does it every time, you'll move to just praise with a treat sometimes. Once a behavior is learned, this expectation of getting rewarded sometimes is more powerful than getting a treat every time. This has been demonstrated scientifically in both humans and animals.

This random approach helps you avoid overfeeding and allows you to train more often.

It also allows you to make room for meaty marrow-filled dog bones. The humble dog bone is very important for dental, mental, and overall dog health.

The Best Treats for Clicker Training

Clicker training requires quick, high-value rewards.

The best treats are:

• Small and easy to chew – So your dog can quickly eat and keep training.
• High-value – Something they don’t get every day, so they’re motivated.
• Single-ingredient – No fillers, preservatives, or junk.

K9 Connoisseur’s beef lung bites are perfect for clicker training because they check all the boxes. There are no mystery ingredients, just real grass-fed beef that I personally believe we should be giving dogs more of.

How to Wean a Dog Off the Clicker

Once your dog reliably follows a command, you can gradually phase out the clicker.

1. Start clicking every other time they perform the behavior.
2. Switch to verbal praise and treats instead.
3. Eventually, just use praise and occasional treats.

Clicker Training in Action: A Real-Life Example

Rachel kept working with Bondi at the park, using the clicker to reinforce loose leash walking. Every time he walked without pulling, she clicked and treated.

Within ten minutes, he was checking in with her instead of lunging at squirrels. These days, I see Bondi running off-leash at the lake, hiking trail, and park.

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