Clicker training is a simple and effective method of pet training that has been practiced by dog owners for years. Thanks to modern technology, the use of dog training apps is climbing in popularity, and there are plenty that utilize the clicker method.
But with so many to choose from, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. In this guide, we will explore the best dog clicker training apps currently available on iOS & Android to help you make the right decision.
6 Best Dog Clicker Training Apps
1. Hundeo Dog Training App
With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, hundeo is one of the most popular dog training apps around. It provides numerous training courses, step-by-step tutorials for useful and adorable tricks, recipes for homemade meals and snacks, and many ideas for fun games to exercise and entertain your dog. With the option of daily training reminders and an integrated clicker, hundeo is a true all-rounder for all dog lovers out there.
The app is free to download with an optional Plus membership to gain access to exclusive content. Hundeo works with various experts and certified dog trainers to ensure high-quality content for its users. You’re able to download all contents to use the app anywhere, anytime.
With a built-in clicker that’s also available while having courses or trick tutorials opened and a guide on how to utilize the clicker most effectively, hundeo offers a useful and easy set-up to train your dog with. You can also track your progress by saving photos or videos after following a tutorial.
Highlights
- Built-in clicker
- Clicker training guide
- Step-by-step tutorials with videos
- All contents available offline
- Daily training reminders
- Tracking progress with photos or videos
2. Dog Training & Clicker by Dogo
Available on both the App Store and Google Play Store, Dogo is free to download and comes with a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on the App store. Widely regarded as the best dog training app out there, it breaks down basic training into short, simple, impactful lessons for your dog and sets reminders for your training sessions. Training sessions include video tutorials and step-by-step breakdowns of each command and trick. You and your dog also receive training certificates when you complete classes and can take virtual exams with professional trainers!
The app has a built-in clicker for clicker training, and you can contact trainers for extra help and feedback. You can also publish photos of your pooch and get involved with a community of fellow dog parents. Along with its 100+ training programs, Dogo also comes with hundreds of exercise routines and games to try out with your four-legged friend.
Reviews praise the easiness and effectiveness of the app’s training sessions, as well as all of its extra fun features. In-app purchases range from $3.38 – $217.39.
Highlights
- Built-in clicker
- Step-by-step training tutorials
- Exercise classes
- Communication with trainers
- Dog parent community
- Lots of extra fun features
3. EveryDoggy: Dog Training
Scoring 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store with almost two thousand ratings, EveryDoggy’s motto is ‘personalized, professional, practical’, because it allows owners to personalize their dog’s learning plan according to their needs. Each lesson is devised by industry professionals and straight-forward for both the dog and the owner with visual step-by-step tutorials.
The app is free to download on the Google Play Store & Apple App Store and has a variety of subscription packages ranging from $39.99 per year to $14.99 per month. EveryDoggy doesn’t just focus on training your puppy new tricks but stopping old unwanted behaviors like biting and chewing too.
It has a built-in whistle and clicker, 70+ tricks and games as well as optional support from professional dog trainers. The app also comes with a walk tracker and lets you set helpful health reminders such as teeth brushing and ear cleaning! The reviews seem to especially appreciate these features as well as the effectiveness of the training sessions.
Highlights
- Built-in whistle and clicker
- Personalized training
- Visual tutorials
- Health reminders
- Affordable subscription fee
4. Puppr
Puppr is free to download on the App Store & Google Play Store. With over 11,000 reviews on the App Store and a rating of 4.8 out of 5, it is one of the most popular and best-rated dog training apps available.
The app comes complete with a training clicker and free basic training, as well as 70 lessons by Sara Carson and The Super Collies. These lessons are available to buy in fun packs such as ‘charming lessons’ and ‘circus lessons’ for only $2.99 – depending on what you’re looking to teach your pooch!
Or you can unlock all lesson packs for $13.99. This charming app is fun, practical, affordable, and can support teaching multiple dogs at once. Many reviews praise the app’s value for money. It also offers one-to-one chats with trainers and easy-to-follow video tutorials.
Highlights
- Affordable lesson packs
- Unique, fun, and advanced lessons
- Visual tutorials
- Communication with trainers
- Can support teaching more than one dog at a time
5. iTrainer Dog Whistle and Clicker App
ITrainer specializes in clicker and whistle training. It scores 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store and is available to download for free on the Apple App Store. It offers one premium in-app purchase that costs only $3.49.
The app offers 40+ sound effects for marker training and your dog’s entertainment & relaxation, as well as the traditional clicker sound and a whistle that is customizable in pitch. It also offers users guides for positive reinforcement training methods.
Highlights
- Inexpensive
- 40+ sound effects
- Includes a guide to positive reinforcement
6. Dog Clicker Training
Free to download on the App Store, Dog Clicker Training by X11 Apps focuses solely on clicker training. Scoring 4.0 out of 5 in the App Store, the app comes with three in-built clicker sounds to choose from and gives you training top tips along the way. It also has no extra costs and can be used to train other pets, too.
Highlights
- Completely free
- Three built-in clicker sounds
- Training tips
What Is Clicker Training
Clicker training is a form of operant conditioning; behavioral training that relies on either positive or negative reinforcement to encourage or discourage certain behaviors.
It uses a sight or sound marker, otherwise known as a bridging stimulus, to signal & communicate the desired behavior to the animal, usually followed by some kind of positive reinforcement such as praise, a treat, or a toy. In clicker training, the marker is a clicker, but it could also be another audible or visual signal.
The Origin of Click Training
Clicker training was developed by psychology professor B. F. Skinner, and two of his students, Marian Kruse and Keller Breland. The three of them worked together researching pigeon behavior and training projects during World War II.
They believed that traditional animal training using only praise and reward hindered the learning process, as it neglected to tell the animal precisely what they did to succeed, only that they had succeeded.
They coined the term “bridging stimulus” to refer to the behavioral marker; the click, which would let the animal know exactly what the correct behavior was, therefore speeding up the training process. The method failed to catch on until the late 1980s, though it remains a popular training method with pet owners today.
Why Use Click Training?
Clicker training is regarded as one of the most effective methods of pet training. Negative reinforcement is not as effective as positive reinforcement, and positive reinforcement alone only tells the dog that they did something good. The use of a signal communicates exactly what the right behavior is, and so they learn much faster.
The sound itself is one of the best behavior-modifying tools because it is clear and consistent. The human voice, on the other hand, changes with our emotions. Dogs are very sensitive animals and pick up on these changes. During training sessions, they may take this as a reflection on their behavior and become confused about what the desired behavior is.
The Basics of Clicker Training
How exactly do we practice clicker training? Simple! All you need is a clicker, which can be found at most local or online pet stores.
For example:
- Ask your puppy or dog to sit (pat their backend or the ground to encourage the action if they are new to the command)
- Click the clicker at the exact moment they sit down
- Give them positive reinforcement such as a treat or toy, and lots of praise!
What Are Training Apps?
Dog training apps take out the guesswork by giving you tried and tested training top tips from professionals. From behavioral basics and commands to more advanced tricks and games, they give you helpful how-to step-by-steps and visuals to aid you in training your dog.
Some of them allow you to track your progress and even ask other owners and trainers for help if needed. Clicker training apps incorporate the clicker element, but eliminate the need for a real-life clicker, as they produce the sound themselves at the touch of a button.
Clicker Training Apps: FAQ
Neither is really better than the other, it all depends on your preference. Clickers are more ergonomic, easy to control, and don’t require your phone to have battery power! They’re also more affordable than many features in apps.
However, training apps come with top tips from experts without the cost of an in-person dog trainer, as well as hundreds of extra fun features like daily workouts and games to play together.
Click training is regarded as one of the best methods of dog training. There is absolutely no negative or punishment element to it. Owners who use the clicker sound to signal bad behavior are doing it wrong; clickers should be used to signal good behavior alone.
Alternative sounds or signals can be used for dogs who don’t like the clicker sound or find it frightening for some reason. Sounds such as the click of a pen, a tongue click, or whistle are all-sufficient. The Pet Safe clicker is a quieter clicker option.
According to VCA Hospitals, 7-8 weeks of age is the ideal time to start training a puppy. It is best to start training them as young as you can because puppies are always learning. Therefore, you want them to normalize good behavior in their minds as soon as possible. That said, it is also never too late to train a dog!
To train your dog using a clicker, do a regular training session, but use the clicker at the exact moment your dog does the desired command. For example, ask them to sit, click the clicker when they sit, and praise them.
You can still train your dog without a clicker. Clicker training is just one method of training, but it is widely renowned as one of the best.
This is because positive reinforcement only tells the dog that they have done something right, the addition of a clicker signals to them exactly what it is that they did that is right, speeding up the learning and training process.
The use of a clicker or signal during training communicates exactly what the desired behavior is to pets, making it easier to understand exactly what is being asked of them.
The sound itself is one of the best training tools because it is clear and consistent. Unlike the human voice, which changes with our emotions. Dogs are very sensitive; they may take these changes as a reflection on their behavior and become confused about what the desired behavior is.
Dogs with impaired hearing can still be trained using the clicker method, they just need a visual signal rather than an audible one. A flashlight or hand gesture will work just as well. Sensory signals such as vibrating collars also work.
Those are the top dog clicker training apps! We recommend clicker training to all new owners. It is widely regarded as one of the best training methods because of its use of clear, direct communication and positive reinforcement. Will you be trying clicker training or have you done it in the past? What are your thoughts? Please let us know in the comments down below!