While cats can certainly be affectionate with each other and with humans, despite what some people think, it’s also true that cats won’t always be the best of friends. 

When your feline friends are often fighting and not playing nicely together with the best cat toys, it can be stressful. You don’t want them to get hurt, of course, but you can’t force them to get on either, or indeed keep an eye on them 24 hours a day. 

But, could clicker training help? According to an Instagram post from applied animal behaviorist and founder of Cat School, Julie Posluns, it can be a great method of helping your cats to get along with one another.  

Posluns begins by explaining in her post that clicker training can help prevent staring, which for cats is often a precursor to aggressive behavior. “Using the clicker, teach your cat to notice another cat and look at you to get their treat,” she advises.

At the same time, you can use the clicker to prevent bullying behavior, or a cat targeting another cat. “Using the clicker,” says Poslun in the post, “Teach your cat to notice another cat and stay at their spot to get a treat”. 

Something else you can do is use the clicker to teach your cat to do a U-turn to avoid a confrontation with another feline. Meanwhile, you can also use it to teach each cat to stay in their own place, “like students in a classroom,” as Posluns puts it. 

You can also use the clicker to “facilitate positive interactions”, almost like playing an icebreaker, she explains. Clicker training gives cats the chance to become familiar with one another in a safe, controlled environment. 

When clicker training multiple cats, Posluns recommends setting the room up like a classroom with each cat having a ‘seat’. And, for safety, she also suggests using harnesses for cats who target other cats. 

Is clicker training for cats recommended in general? While clicker training for dogs is something we probably expect to see, clicker training doesn’t seem to be discussed as much where cats are concerned. 

However, clicker training your cats can be a great idea, and not just to help them get along with each other. The noise a clicker makes always stays the same, whereas our voice can be affected by things like our mood or even our health – while if different people are training your cat but you all use the same clicker, you don’t even have to worry about differences in volume or pitch.

And many people with multiple cats have asked the question, “Are my cats playing or fighting?” at least once or twice. It’s important to look at their body language to get a better idea. And if they are fighting, well, it might be time to give clicker training a go.  

Whether you've just adopted a pup or you've had your canine companion by your side for years, you can never have too many tips for training your dog. There's no denying that our dogs are often our best friends, but that doesn't mean that being the owner of one is challenge-free, especially when it comes to training. 

Yes, having a stash of the best dog treats in your pocket is certainly a great place to start, but there are a lot of other things you'll want to be aware of to ensure you set yourself and your dog up for success.

Alongside arming yourself with as many training tips as you can, you may be wondering is it easier to train a mixed breed dog or a purebred? The good news is that all pups, given the right conditions, can respond positively to training and you're going to encounter good days and bad days regardless of your dog's breed.

So, whether they’re begging at mealtimes, excessively barking or pulling on their leash, we’ve rounded up the top tips that should help you turn things around. From big dogs to small and every pooch in between, try out these tricks to help them behave, train well and stay healthy. 

27 of the best tips for training your dog

1. Consistency is key 

Just like humans, when it comes to training your pooch it’s super important to be consistent. For example, when you’re asking them to ‘sit’, always use the same word. When you’re training them to ‘stop’, use the same hand signals. Dogs like repetition. 

2. Keep it short 

In other words, train little and often. It’s thought that five minutes maximum is the magic number. Too much longer and your four legged friend might become frustrated or lose interest.

3. Reward right 

Whether they are motivated by the best puppy toys or the tastiest of treats, when the reward is right, dogs will be all for that five-minute daily training session that’s coming their way. Some fur friends might even just get a buzz from some extra love and attention.

4. Tire them out 

Wondering how to get a puppy to sleep through the night? The answer lies with exercise — and lots of it. Extended play times, long walks and other mental stimulation will help burn off some excess energy and prepare them for the Land of Nod in no time. 

5. Choose a dedicated sleep spot 

Pup still not sleeping? It could be because they don’t have a dedicated sleep spot. Just how we associate our beds with catching some ZZZs, dogs do the same. But instead of allowing your pup to catch 40 winks in your bed, set up a quiet, safe and cozy sleep space of their own. If you ask us, sweet dreams are guaranteed with the best dog beds. 

6. Avoid rewarding bad behavior

This tip is easier said than done, especially when they look at you with those puppy eyes. But pups need to learn right from wrong and tending to their whines will do more harm than good. 

7. Instead, use positive reinforcement techniques

Positive reinforcement for dogs works and there’s science to back this up. The technique involves rewarding your pet in return for the ‘correct’ behavior which should encourage your pooch to repeat the behavior again (and again) later down the line. The longest lasting dog chews should keep them happy!

8. Remember to start small 

Easy does it! Your dog might not necessarily nail their training the first, second, third or 30th time. But try breaking down positive behaviors and taking the small wins as they come. For example, if you’re training your dog to ‘come’ remember to reward even if they take one step forward. 

9. Create a routine 

We’re all creatures of habit, including our four legged canine friends. So gradually introduce five minute bursts of exercises each day and stick to a routine. Then sit back and watch your little furry learner improve little and often each time. 

10. Add in hand signals 

While we’d love to think otherwise, dogs don’t understand language as humans do. But they do seem to respond better to hand signals. So instead of just speaking, signal too. 

11. Set them up for success

If today is the day you’ve decided to start training your pup, start them out on the right foot. Instead of taking them somewhere they have never been before, choose an easy environment with minimal distractions. This could be your back garden or living room. 

12. Provide a framework 

If you’re left wondering why your dog’s recall isn’t reliable and what you can do about it, wonder no more. It might be because when you’re out on a walk you’re letting your dog, well…be a dog. Providing some basic framework during your walks can be hugely beneficial for both of you. Here are some rules to live by: interact with your dog, keep them close to your side and reward them for good behavior. 

13. Shorten the leash 

Does your dog seem to growl, bark or lunge when in a certain environment? Or when walking past another canine? Then learning how to calm a reactive dog could be very beneficial for both of you — and others. One tried and tested tip is to put your dog back on the leash or shorten it. 

14. Prepare a safe space 

If you live in a thunderstorm-stricken area, or there’s news of a forecasted bad spate of weather, being able to calm your dog down is always a handy trick to have up your sleeve. Just like us, dogs like to feel comfortable in their surroundings so having a safe space (like their bed or a covered corner spot) can ease anxiety. 

15. Provide some background noise 

Or, you could always try muffling or disguising the thunder with some white noise or classical music. 

16. Offer up distractions 

Offering distractions to your dog can help to soothe your pup until the patchy weather has passed. Healthy chews and snacks could work, a new toy might do the trick or you could always keep them mentally active using one of the best dog puzzle toys. 

17. Add in a positive interrupter cue 

Got a barky dog? If this is down to bad behavior, think of the number of barks you’re happy with and then introduce a ‘thank you’ cue that directs your dog to another behavior. Consider practicing this when there are no external disruptions. 

18. Make a cozy den 

Crate training your pup, but it’s not going too well? We’ve all been there. To overcome this, try making their crate into a cozy den to make it feel safer and more secure. Throw a towel or blanket over the top, put a dog bed inside, and throw in a few of the best dog toys. They’ll feel right at home. 

19. Don’t shut the door 

Whatever you do, don’t throw treats inside the crate and then slam the door shut behind your pup. When your pooch enters the crate willingly, leave the door open the first few times. Then try pushing the door shut but don’t lock it. Build up to closing the crate door slowly over a week or two of daily practice.

20. Never use the crate for punishment 

This will undo all of your hard work in training your dog. Yes, the best dog crates can be used to prevent toileting accidents, chewing, and other destructive behaviors. But it should never be used to punish a dog after these have occurred. If you discover a chewed slipper, quietly clean it up, ignoring your four-legged friend completely. 

21. Use a clicker 

Clicker training for dogs can help speed up the training process by helping your dog associate good behavior with rewards in a much more effective way than simply offering high value dog treats and praise alone.

22. Finish positively 

Always end with something your dog knows, so the session finishes positively. Because we all like a happy ending, right?

23. Train yourself

It’s not just your pup who is learning here. Teach yourself a few new tricks by getting to grips with dog body language for a better idea of how your pup is feeling. This should help you understand what your dog wants and needs from you. 

24. Ignore 

Excited dogs often jump up on people during greetings. While raising your knee, grabbing your dog’s paws, or trying to push the dog away might work, it doesn’t always teach them right from wrong. Instead, the easiest way to stop this behavior is to ensure that you don’t reward your dog by giving him attention. When your dog jumps up, try to completely ignore him.

25. Make sure your dog is comfortable before you start

Have you ever tried to pay attention to someone or something when you're hungry or in need of the toilet? It's almost impossible to concentrate! And the same is true for your dog. So one of our favorite tips for busy dog owners who want to help their dog master new skills and behaviors that much faster is to ensure your pup is well fed, watered and toileted before you start any training session. You'll find they're so much more attentive when you tick these boxes first. 

26. Be patient

Whether you're trying to work on avoiding the most common loose leash walking mistakes or you're wanting to figure out how to stop a dog from jumping up, remember that training takes time. Be patient with your pup as they learn to master these new skills and behaviors. 

27. Have fun!

If you're looking for ways for improving your relationship with your dog, the answer lies in having fun — and lots of it. Playtime helps to build the bond between you and your pooch. Plus, it will make training a lot less boring for them (and you), and help to get them focused and excited to train — so it’s a win win. 

Read next: I taught my dog to communicate using the viral Amazon talking pet buttons – here's what happened

You may be familiar with clicker training for dogs but did you know that clicker training for cats is recommended by many feline professionals?

It’s a popular misconception that cats are untrainable. In fact, cats are constantly learning and clicker training is a fantastic way to teach them new behaviors, from fun tricks like spins, leg weaves and high-fives, that will help keep their minds and bodies active, to stress-reducing, welfare-improving activities such as voluntarily entering their carrier, cooperatively participating in nail clipping, grooming and tooth brushing, and even willingly accepting the administration of oral and topical medications. 

Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Animal Training Instructor Debbie Bryon says, “I absolutely love clicker training cats and I have done lots of work with my own cat, Frank. He goes wild at the sight of the clicker and the treat bag!”. 

So if you're wondering why does my cat scratch the wall or furniture or how can I get them to use their litter box, stick with us as we explore the pros and cons of clicker training for cats, as well as explaining how clicker training works and the ways in which it can be adapted to suit any cat.

What is clicker training for cats?

Clicker training for cats is a form of positive reinforcement training. Desirable behavior is marked with a clicker and reinforced (rewarded), making it more likely to be repeated in the future. The clicker is a small plastic device with a metal plate inside that flexes when pressed, creating a distinctive clicking sound. 

At first, the sound of the clicker will mean nothing to your cat. It needs to be paired with something intrinsically rewarding, such as some of the best cat treats, so that they learn that the ‘click’ predicts that a reward is coming. This association is established by repeatedly clicking and delivering a treat to the cat, a process that is often referred to as ‘charging the clicker’. After a number of repetitions, your cat will be eagerly anticipating a treat every time they hear the click. Now you’re ready to start training a specific behavior like recall, giving a high-five, or relaxing on a mat. 

What are the pros of clicker training with cats?

Clicker training is an ethical and humane method of training which builds a cat’s trust and boosts their confidence, encouraging them to try new things and offer desirable behaviors. Training based on correction, for example, spraying a cat with water if they jump on the counter while you’re preparing food, can cause fear and anxiety, and damage the cat-human relationship - water is one of the many weird things cats are scared of. Clicker training an alternative behavior, such as lying down on a mat when you go into the kitchen, prevents the undesirable behavior without resorting to punishment. 

Clicker training is suitable for any cat, from kittens to seniors. Most cats find food motivating and are keen to work for high value cat treats but if your cat isn’t food motivated you can experiment with alternative rewards such as interactive play using a favorite toy, petting, or verbal praise. Using a clicker as a marker helps the cat precisely identify the action that has gained them reinforcement. As Bryon explains, “When you get clicker training right, the cat gets a very clear instruction of ‘yes please’ or ‘no thank you’. Using a clicker can be more effective than a vocal marker, as the ‘click’ is super consistent and never affected by your mood or a sore throat.”

What are the cons of clicker training with cats?

Clear communication is essential, to avoid confusing or frustrating your cat. If you click, you must reward your cat, even if you’ve made a mistake. According to Bryon, “Clicker training is all about precise timing and if you get the timing wrong and click too early or too late, you will be reinforcing the wrong behavior. So, you could end up accidentally asking your kitten to bite your hand instead of giving you a high-five!”. But don't worry, if you find yourself wondering, 'Why is my cat biting me?' we've got you covered with helpful insights and tips to better understand and address this behavior.

It’s a good idea to practice your clicker skills before you start training, just make sure it’s out of earshot of your cat. You could get a friend to bounce a ball and click every time it touches the floor or watch a tv show and click every time the actors blink.

Some cats are startled or frightened by the sound of a clicker. “Use a soft-toned clicker or keep it in your pocket to muffle the sound,” Byron suggests, “Alternatively, you can use your tongue or the click of a ballpoint pen. I also like to use empty sweetener containers, as their click dispenser mechanism is lovely and quiet.” Remember, the clicker isn’t a remote control, so don’t point it at your cat!

Byron cautions that, “Clicker training can be tricky to master. Initially you may feel like you need another arm to be able to juggle holding the treats and the clicker, plus extra training equipment like a target stick, all while offering training cues, clicking to mark desirable behaviors and delivering reinforcement.” Be patient - your confidence and dexterity will improve with practice. 

Is clicker training recommended for cats?

Researchers have only recently begun studying the effectiveness of clicker training for cats but a study published in the Animals journal assessing clicker training for shelter cats found that clicker training enabled cats to learn to perform a variety of behaviors in a relatively short period of time and suggested that clicker training for cats has the potential to provide cats with positive enrichment, reduce stress, modify undesirable behaviors, strengthen the cat-human bond, and even improve rescue cats’ adoptability.

Clicker training gives cats a sense of control and can encourage them to become active and willing participants in their own care. Feline welfare charity International Cat Care recommends training cats for travel in a cat carrier, to accept handling for veterinary examination and the administration of medication, to prevent them from experiencing fear, anxiety or frustration and minimize the stress of car travel and visits to the veterinary clinic, cattery or groomers.

What can you use instead of clicker training?

You can still train your cat if they find the sound of a clicker aversive or are unable to hear an audible marker. According to Byron, “You can use anything as a marker. It doesn’t need to be a click. A training marker is any sound or signal the cat sees or hears immediately after successfully completing a desired behavior - a verbal “yes” or “nice”, even a thumbs up or flash of a pen torch can be used for cats with hearing impairments. This signal means, yay, you got it right, please do that again, especially when it’s followed by a reinforcer.” 

Clicker training can be a fun and effective way to engage with your cat and teach them desirable behaviors, as long as you take their individual and species-specific needs into consideration. Cats have short attention spans, so keep sessions short - five minutes maximum - and always end on a positive note, reinforcing a desirable behavior with a treat and lots of praise. When we asked Byron for her top tip for beginners, she advised, “I wouldn’t just pick up a clicker and start. Get some advice and coaching first.” An increasing number of Animal Training Instructors offer cat training instruction, while places like Cat School and the Karen Pryor Academy run online classes for beginners. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can progress to more advanced skills like feline agility or training multiple cats.

If you’re interested in dog training then you’ve probably come across the term ‘clicker training’ at some point. Having owned dogs for years I’d heard of this technique but wasn’t sure what it was all about. Turns out it’s a form of positive reinforcement training which means that your pooch will be rewarded for showing desirable behavior. The technique involves using the clicker – a small box that makes a loud click – to mark and then reinforce behavior. 

My English Springer Spaniel, Olly, is typical of the breed in that he’s lively and curious. While he’s mostly a very good boy, he does get distracted easily – especially if there are any squirrels around! He's fairly good at sitting and staying to voice commands, but a bit unreliable about sitting at a distance and lying down. I wondered if clicker training for dogs might be a clear and consistent way of keeping his attention focused on me.

I asked Clare Brewin, an APDT UK trainer who specializes in using positive reinforcement methods, for her thoughts.

“Clicker training definitely works well around distractions when compared to other methods - the noise seems to cut through background sounds far more effectively than our voices alone do,” explains Clare. “You also find that because the dog feels super happy when he hears the click when he’s been training at home, the clicker then naturally causes a dopamine release - in the same way that you might feel happy on hearing the first note of your favorite song, even before the rest of the music plays. If you’d heard that same song for the very first time when already distracted it may not have the same effect, but because you’re already emotionally connected to the music it causes an immediate dopamine release.”

How does clicker training work? 

The first thing I had to do was to buy a clicker – these are readily available online for a few dollars like these from Amazon. Armed with this and some small but tasty treats, we were ready to start. The first step of training is getting the dog used to the sound of the clicker and the association with a reward, which could be food, a ball, or a fun activity depending on what motivates your individual pooch.

As I have a spaniel who likes to tell me he’s perpetually starving, I decided food would be easiest. I clicked the button and tried to give the treat immediately after, which he thought was a great game. “The click should come just before the treat,” says Clare. “Click first before reaching forwards with the treat, as otherwise, the movement of your hand will become the indicator rather than the noise. A lot of dogs respond well to the unique sound of the clicker and pairing with a reward makes that response stronger.”

The first thing I noticed was that Olly almost instantly started paying attention to the sound of the clicker. His ears cocked, his head tilted and he seemed to focus on it immediately. Time to move on to step two – we were clearly going to be great at this!

How hard is clicker training to do? 

Unfortunately, the next step was much harder. I asked Olly to lie down by offering a treat and gradually moving it down and forward until he was completely on the floor. The idea was that as soon as his tummy hit the floor I should click the button and offer the treat to reinforce the behavior, but I found the timing very difficult. I was constantly either too slow or too fast, meaning I was rewarding the wrong thing. After 15 minutes, Olly was released from school and took himself off to chase squirrels, while I went to practice my clicker timing.

“Clicker training definitely takes a bit of practice to get the timing right!,” laughs Clare. “Try imagining you’re photographing the desired behavior to show your dog what you’d like them to repeat. Press the clicker at the same moment you would press the camera button to take the photo.”

As well as my timing issues, I also had a tendency to wave the clicker around, which would be distracting for any dog. Instead of pointing it at my poor pooch like it was a remote control, I should have been keeping my clicker hand close to my side or even behind my back or inside a pocket, while the other hand held a treat ready. Eventually, though, I was ready to try again. 

This time, I was much sharper with my clicking, and Olly clearly recognized it as a positive sound. He was soon lying down quite happily with the click and reward system, and I wondered if I could now stop the treats. Clare soon put me back on track, though.

“A common misconception is that eventually, you don’t need to reward the dog after the click,” Clare explains. “It’s not that the click becomes the reward, but rather that dogs learn to associate whatever they were doing when they heard the click with getting the reward. Clicker is great for the teaching process as it helps the dog understand EXACTLY what they need to repeat to gain their reward, but if you fade the food out, eventually the effectiveness of the click will also reduce as the dog no longer links it to something desirable. When your dog is established you can stop rewarding with food every time and sometimes use a different reward such as praise, but when training, a click should always lead to a treat.”

I liked this training method, as it enabled me to give a clear, consistent marker that wasn’t affected by outside factors such as my tone of voice, mood, or choice of words. Olly seemed to respond well to it too, and was clearly listening to the clicks with great concentration. While you do need a clicker, they’re cheap and easy to obtain. If you’re just starting out, though, a couple of sessions with a qualified trainer is a great investment to get you on the right track.

“I believe that reward-based training is the most effective, ethical, and enjoyable way to train a dog,” says Clare. “Clicker is a type of ‘Mark and Reward’ training and can work with any dog as it’s a simple way of communicating clearly. Eventually, it becomes almost second nature to click when your dog does something you’re going to reward. Ask an experienced clicker trainer to guide you through the process, as this can really make all the difference to your success.”

In need of more training ideas for your pooch? Don't miss our vet-led guide to crate games for dogs.

Whether you’re trying to teach them good behavior or discourage the bad, clicker training for dogs can be an effective way to teach your pooch obedience.  

Training your dog can often be a long and difficult process: stopping begging at mealtimes, sitting on command, and tackling excessive barking can all be a uphill battle.   

Developed back in the 1940s by Keller and Marian Breland, clicker training can help speed up the process by helping your dog associate good behavior with rewards in a much more effective way than simply offering high value dog treats and praise alone. If done correctly, clicker training can be a brilliant way to get a happy dog and happy owner in double quick time.

This article will cover the pros and cons of clicker training, as well as providing a step-by-step guide on how to train a dog with a clicker so whether you're completely new to dog training with treats or are not sure whether this type of activity is right for your pooch, you'll be a pro in no time. 

What is clicker training? 

Clicker training is a way of training your dog using a clicker and positive reinforcement to reward good behavior and discourage unwelcome behavior. 

When you’re having a training session with your pup, use a clicker to highlight the exact moment it performs a desirable action and follow it up with a treat. The idea here is that the dog will then associate that clicking sound with an incoming treat and is therefore more likely to perform that action again. 

Pros and cons of clicker training for dogs

There are pros and cons to clicker training. The main benefit is that training via this method can be much quicker than other methods as your dog can establish links between good actions and rewards faster.

The main con is that you and your dog could become over-reliant on the clicker to signal good behavior and it may get confused once you stop using it. Clicker training isn’t for everyone, but it is one of a number of established, successful training methods.  

Do you need a clicker to train a dog? 

The advantage this method has over simple reward-based training is that you can show your dog the precise action you are rewarding. Dogs often have to stand or run over to you when being given a treat, and they may come to think that is why they’re being given the treat.

The clicker points out the reason for the treat and therefore prompts the association with the right kind of behavior more quickly and more clearly for your dog. Read on for tips on how to effectively clicker train your pet.

How to train a dog with a clicker 

1. Practise before training 

To make the actual training easier, start using the clicker before a session. If you see your dog performing behavior that you’ll want to reward, click the clicker and praise them. This will establish the clicker in their mind as something positive.

Try not to let your dog see the clicker, keep it behind your back or at your side so it doesn’t become a focus. You could then, in the future, just use your fingers. 

2. It’s all in the timing 

For clicker training to work, you need to have your timing perfect. If teaching your dog to sit, lure the behavior, then click the clicker the second your dog’s bottom touches the floor. This will help establish the connection between the click and the action.

Follow it up immediately with a treat to help your dog understand that a click leads to a treat. Clicker training is meaningless unless it is followed by a treat. Mistiming your click or delaying the treat could lead to confusion for your dog 

3. Keep sessions short 

Limit sessions with the clicker to around 10-15 minutes. Studies have shown that dogs are only capable of concentrating and learning for between three and ten minutes, so much longer than this and you’ll be wasting your time. 

This will also reduce fatigue in your dog, keeps things fun for both of you and means that you don’t end up over-feeding your pup. When reward/clicker training, be conscious of how much you feed them and adjust their meals accordingly, as a lot of training could lead to a lot of extra calories and a plump pooch!

4. Only use the clicker for training 

One important part of clicker training is to not use it at any other time. As your dog will need to have a strong association with the sound of the click and good behavior, clicking when it’s doing something wrong or nothing in particular will firstly reinforce undesired behavior and confuse it if it expects a treat afterwards. 

5. Make it a game 

Part of training is about fun, so clicker training turns the process into a game with your dog. This will encourage your dog to enjoy the process and will speed up the training. Eventually, the clicker itself should become the reward and you won’t need to feed your pup. And then you won’t need the clicker at all and your dog will be fully trained. 

It’s not for every dog 

This is a very response and reward-based training process. If your dog doesn’t respond particularly well to food or toy stimuli, you might need to choose a different kind of training programme. It’s all about your particular pet and how they react to training. Clicker training could work well for some intelligent dog breeds and less well for others, so just judge your dog.