What can I use instead of a clicker for training?
Meggie Upton
2025-06-25 19:44:20
Count answers: 11
For now, I've just been immediately saying good girl/boy quickly in a happy praising voice in place of the click, and then rewarding with a treat. I like to use my clicker in my left hand with my treats in the right hand. Are there any better alternatives?
Keith Legros
2025-06-25 19:30:15
Count answers: 10
Would it be feasible to make a click with my mouth or snap my fingers. What about using a ball-point pen that clicks.
Lydia Mayert
2025-06-25 19:11:58
Count answers: 12
The trainer also tried to introduce and use the clicker and got the same reaction. So she suggested using the word "yes" instead, and that seemed to bring positive reactions from both dogs. So I introduced a sort of loud "cluck" sound on the roof of my mouth with my tongue instead of the vocal "yes". If some folks have trouble making the "cluck" sound I described, you can replace it with the tongue click sound that folks use to make a horse move ahead. They even ran away from the soft click of a retractable pen too.
Leonard Sporer
2025-06-25 17:26:13
Count answers: 11
A jar lid can be used as a clicker for dog training. The lid on a jar of baby food or the lid to a small mason jar will work. You want a lid that's around 2-3 inches in diameter.
Alternatively, a flashlight that has a clickable button will work, the button is what makes the clicking sound. Any size flashlight is acceptable, but the preferred one is a smaller flashlight.
An aluminum can will also work, any soda or beer can will work, make sure the can is empty.
A thin, flexible plastic lid, like the lid to a plastic container, with a square strip of aluminum from a can taped to it can also make a clicking noise.
Beatrice Hauck
2025-06-25 16:54:35
Count answers: 11
Instead of the click, we marked “Yes” when the puppies performed the desired behaviors. We immediately followed “Yes” with a treat. I prefer using “Yes” to “Good dog” because it’s shorter. It’s more effective in marking a precise moment. Sometimes, Talking Is Easier With situations like that of my client, a verbal marker can be more effective. This is true especially if you haven’t trained a dog before, or if it has been a while since you trained one. Verbal markers are much easier. Some dogs are also afraid of the click. If you have a dog who is frightened of loud or sharp noises, it might be better to work with a verbal marker.
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