clicker
KLIK-er
/ˈklɪkər/
A small device that makes a sharp 'click' sound, used in animal training to mark the exact moment a desired behavior occurs.
The clicker acts as a 'bridge' between the behavior and the reward, telling the animal exactly what it did right.
The story behind the word. The word is purely onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of the metal tab inside the plastic box. It was originally a children's toy (the 'cricket') before being used by trainers like Karen Pryor.
Word relationships
- marker: A marker can be a word (like 'Yes!') or a sound; a clicker is the specific tool that makes the sound.
Commonly confused with
- whistle: Whistles are often used for distance commands; clickers are used for precise 'marking' of behavior.
Word family
- click (verb): To make a short, sharp sound.
Collocations
- clicker training
- press the clicker
Example sentences
- "The trainer used the clicker to mark the precise second the dolphin leaped through the hoop." Positive reinforcement techniques.
Memory hook
CLICK-er: It makes a CLICK to tell the dog he's a winner. Sound of success.
When not to use
Don't use this for a remote control or a computer mouse in this context.
Fun facts
- Clickers were famously used by paratroopers in WWII (the 'cricket') to identify each other in the dark before they became a dog training tool.
Explore more words
Elizabethan collar, Training, Behavioral, sharpener, handler, cue
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