Clicker Explained

A clicker, sometimes called a cricket,^[1] is any device that makes a clicking sound, usually when deliberately activated by its user.

They usually consist of a piece of thin metal or plastic held in a casing so that the metal is slightly torqued; depressing one end of the metal causes it to pop out of alignment and releasing it causes it to pop back into alignment, each time making a sharp click.

With some clickers, the user depresses the metal directly with thumb or finger; with others, a button extends above the surface of the casing so that depressing the button makes the metal click.

Use in animal training

See main article: article and Clicker training.

Clickers were first used by marine mammal trainer Karen Pryor as a way of communicating with their animals. Dolphins and whales communicate underwater through a series of clicks and whistles known as echolocation, and the clicker allowed a trainer to produce signals they were more likely to understand.

Nowadays, clickers are used to train all kinds of animals, most commonly dogs. When associated with a treat, a click allows the owner to mark the precise moment the desired behavior is executed.

Other uses

• Clickers are used to provide audible feedback for human students learning using a method called TAGteach.
• In World War II clickers were used by Allied paratroopers preceding and during Operation Overlord as a way of covertly identifying friend from foe. A soldier would click once and if two clicks were received in return from an unidentifiable soldier then his identification was confirmed.^[2]
• Clickers are also used as a handheld counting device, sometimes digital but more commonly mechanical, used to keep a count of the numbers of people entering a venue. It is often used by nightclub doorstaff to make sure fire limits are not exceeded.
• A clicker is a device used on recurve bows to signal to the archer that correct draw length has been achieved, thus aiding consistency.
• Some board games designed after game shows come with clickers that are meant to emulate the buzzers common on such shows.

Notes and References

1. Web site: The D-Day Cricket. 19 February 2016 .
2. Jonathan Ferguson . 5 June 2024 . D-Day 80th Anniversary Special, Part 1: Paratroopers, with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson . 6 June 2024 . 16:40-17:30 . Royal Armouries .