Product Review: Starmark Pro-Training Clicker

The Starmark Pro-Training Clicker is a button clicker used for clicker training. I can probably jam the word "clicker" into that sentence a few more times, but I will restrain my enthusiasm.

Photo by Erin Koski

This might be the prettiest clicker I own. Look at that embossed running dog decoration! Unfortunately, this clicker seems to be mostly built for looks rather than function. Unlike box clickers, which tend to have a solid plastic box containing a metal strip, button clickers have a top and bottom half with the metal sandwiched between them. The issue with the Starmark clicker is that the two halves aren't particularly well attached, so the clicking action tends to separate them over time.

Pros: The loudest button clicker, but easy to muffle by holding the button against my palm. Wider and flatter than the i-Click, and louder too.

Cons: Appears to have quality control issues. More difficult to hide in my hand. Less reliable than the i-Click with a tendency to fall apart.

Bottom Line: I just don't use it that much, and for the price the i-Click is a much better value because I can buy three or four of them. I lose clickers all the time, I need more than one. Brisbane will respond to pretty much anything that clicks, though.

Product Review: PetSafe Clik-R

The PetSafe Premier Clik-R is a training clicker with a finger loop on the back. It has a soft, low volume click. This product only comes in one size and color.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is a nice little clicker, it makes a sound a little quieter than the iClick, much softer than the big box clickers that can spook sensitive animals. It is much larger than the iClick, and has nice rounded edges that make it more comfortable to hold for long periods of time.

The best part about this clicker is that is has a little elastic band on the back that allows me to slip it on a finger. This keeps it in a convenient position when I'm juggling treats, targeting objects, leashes, and other training paraphernalia. Fair warning: a lot of reviews for this clicker state that the elastic loop is much too small and squeezes their normal-size fingers. Others complain that it is too loose and slips off their thumb easily. I wear rings in sizes 7-9 and the loop on my Clik-R works exactly as intended.

Pros: Super-convenient finger loop keeps clicker in my hand way better than a wrist strap. Raised button allows it to be clicked with a foot/elbow/chin/buttcheek. Loop at bottom allows for attachment of neck lanyard or wrist strap. This is a super-quiet clicker, great for skittish pets and group classes where not everyone wants to hear me click.

Cons: This product seems to have some quality control issues, some people have issue with the button sticking and the size of the finger loop seems to vary wildly. Not all dogs respond well to the soft click, and can miss the marker in noisy areas.

Bottom Line: I don't like it as much as the iClick, but I still use my Clik-R all the time because that finger loop is just so cool.

Product Review: I-Click by Karen Pryor

The I-Click by Karen Pryor is intended for clicker training and designed to be easy to click for everyone including those with limited mobility. It comes in several colors and has a loop for attaching a lanyard, wristband, or other accessory-holder.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is my favorite clicker because it is quiet and easy to click. Unlike basic box clickers, this one doesn't tend to spook horses and skittish dogs. The raised button also makes it easy to click through a pocket, while wearing gloves, and with no hands. The website even says it can be strapped to a wheelchair and clicked with the chin!

I have quite a few of these, at $2-3 each I buy a couple whenever I see them because I lose them so often. These are small clickers, smaller than the basic box clickers, and easy to hide. They are also durable, the blue one with the toothmarks still works perfectly.

Pros: Easy for anyone to use in any circumstance, so no missed opportunity to click. Colorful and easy to grab. Soft click works great for dogs trained with noisy box clickers as well as sensitive animals that are spooked by loud sounds.

Cons: The raised button and ease of clicking means I click accidentally all the time. I still reward my dog, though. I also tend to lose these, and have left a trail of dozens of them scattered across Southern California.

Bottom Line: Best. Clicker. Ever.

Product Review: Petco Box Clicker

The Petco Dog Training Clicker is a basic box clicker. It comes in red, blue, and sometimes white, and includes a key ring. The stretchy wristband on my red clicker was purchased separately.

Photo by Erin Koski

As far as clickers go, it doesn't get much simpler than this. Push down the metal tab inside the box, get a giant click. This is a large box clicker, it is easy to use even with large fingers. The large size also guarantees that it emits a loud click, which can make training easier or more difficult depending on the dog.

Pros: Cheap, usually $1.50. Reliable, I have never had one of these fail. The fact that the tab rests inside the opening also helps prevent accidental clicks while fumbling with treats and in pockets. This clicker is also incredibly loud for a metal tab inside a plastic box, which is useful when I'm working with Brisbane at a distance, in an area with a lot of background noise, or when I need to be sure he can hear the click while he is hysterically screambarking.

Cons: This thing is loud enough to spook shy and sensitive animals. It also requires getting a thumb into the box to click it, which can lead to poor timing and missed clicks.

Bottom Line: This is not my favorite clicker, but it's a close second. I have at least half a dozen of these because they are cheap, durable, and easy to find.

Teach Your Dog to Paint!

Brisbane is a very injury-prone dog, and resting is not easy for him. He'll be nine this month, and only in the last year or two has his activity level begun to approach that of a normal dog. Sometimes he actually gets tired now. Resting up from an injury often requires 6-8 weeks of minimal activity, and sometimes crate rest. How to keep an active busy without physical activity?

The artist at work.

I taught Brisbane to paint. He is clicker trained and has been taught to touch things with his paw, so painting is mostly just a targeting exercise for him. Unlike elephants I'm pretty sure Briz doesn't get much out of expressing himself artistically, but he certainly enjoys this game.

First I tacked a piece of paper on a board, pointed to it, and told Brisbae to touch it. He poked it with his nose a few times, then pawed it and got a click and treat. We repeated this a few more times, with the command 'paint!' Next I poured several colors of nontoxic tempra paint onto a plastic plate and talked Brisbane into putting his paw in it. He wasn't thrilled with the concept, but the jackpot of treats eventually won him over. He learned to paw the paint, and then the paper, and figured out quickly that the point of this activity was to put paint on paper.

So talented!

Cleanup involved wiping Brisbane's paws off with a wet washcloth, and hosing down my parents' patio. I've since acquired a canvas dropcloth for this activity. Brisbane has painted on canvas, and worked in watercolors on special watercolor paper. I used to sell his paintings on eBay and had an Etsy store for a while.

Art therapy helps Brisbane stay sane while resting his joints and healing from his latest mishap.