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Clicker Ring

Get your paws on this animal training tool before its too late!

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Clicker Ring

Clicker Ring

Clicker Ring

Clicker Ring

Clicker Ring

Get your paws on this animal training tool before its too late!

Get your paws on this animal training tool before its too late!

Get your paws on this animal training tool before its too late!

Get your paws on this animal training tool before its too late!

Josh Pitts
Josh Pitts
Josh Pitts
Josh Pitts
1 Campaign |
Chico, United States
$3,418 USD 101 backers
34% of $10,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

NEW VIDEO UPDATES!  SEE UPDATES TAB or visit


Clicker Plus supports the promotion of humane training methods and equipment.  


Hi, I'm Josh Pitts, a certified professional dog trainer.

You're probably wondering "What the heck is a clicker?!" or "Why did you put it in a ring?!"

A clicker is a mechanical noise maker used to mark desired behaviors and signal to an animal that they are going to get reinforced. The sound is distinct, making it easily recognizable for the animal in comparison to using your voice.  You can also teach tricks quickly and accurately, like bow and spin, that would normally take days or weeks to perfect using food lures (and often you cannot perfect without a clicker!).  As you may or may not know, clicker training is the most effective and humane way to train any animal.  

New to clicker training? 

Don't worry!  It's actually VERY easy, but it is a skill that must be developed like any other skill.  To assist you, I'll be adding a simple video course and resource library with everything you need to get started.  I'll also show you how to train your dog in a way that elicits top performance without being dependent on food every time, also. The course curriculum goes beyond anything you would typically receive through a traditional obedience class or private lesson.  

What's the problem with a traditional clicker?

Throughout my eight years of experience helping dog parents, I've found that people new to clicker training are commonly discouraged from using a clicker for a variety of reasons.  Without a clicker in hand, you have to condition yourself to say "Good!", which some people have difficulty with, as well as understanding the importance of timing. With a clicker, this isn't as much an issue.

More notably, using a clicker in a public setting requires holding a leash and clicker in the same hand so that the other hand is free for delivering rewards.  For people new to clicker training, this can be incredibly overwhelming (even for professionals at times)!  Equipment gets fumbled, which is disruptive to training sessions.  When a session is disrupted, the animal can lose interest and motivation while becoming increasingly distracted by other stimuli in the environment, leaving the handler frustrated and Fido condemned to a life in the yard (or worse!).

What the Clicker Ring does

Clicker Ring allows a user to operate a clicker on the index finger of their treat delivery hand so that the other can maintain control of the leash.  It also eliminates having to fumble and regain control of the clicker, which is often the case with wrist coils, allowing your training sessions to be more productive—and fashionable!

All too often have I and my colleagues walked into clients homes only to see a clicker buried in the doggy drawer, just another thing to carry and easily lost.  This past January, I had the privilege of attending Clicker Expo in Long Beach, CA, where I spoke with some of the world’s top clicker training enthusiasts and received nothing but positive feedback on this concept. 

The additional benefits of the clicker ring:

  • Capture behaviors anywhere, anytime!
  • Easier for handler to work with a leash reactive dog.
  • Made in the USA. Not China.
  • Waste-free manufacturing.

Clicker Ring Options

Color Chart Coming Soon!  You can preview here.

SIZING:  Download a printable ring sizer by Lickety Cut

Remember, it's for your index finger (although it doesn't have to be).

It's important to get a size slightly too big than too small.  I will include mole skin with every order (you can always put tape on your finger, also) however during prototyping I will be experimenting with a flexible filament (or silicone lining) to provide comfort around your finger when worn.

The Rewards

The rewards are fairly self explanatory but if you have any questions at all, please ask!  

For Everyone: A free video course

By funding this campaign, you'll also allow me to produce a video course for how to use a clicker, how to train basic obedience and loose leash walking with a clicker, as well as beginner tricks like spin.

Why’s your course different than watching a YouTube video or other professional videos on clicker training?

First, it would be free. Not every dog owner can pay thousands for that type of education, nor should they in my personal opinion. My philosophy is that it isn't fair either to dog owners or to society that anyone can own a dog but not be provided with educational resources.

What I intend on doing is making a series of short clips that would have to be watched in order as you progressed through the training.  Based on my experience, I've found a good order to teach things in that help clients build off of the previous task.  

Additionally, all of my videos would be a one minute, point-of-view experience, not some static long video with one continuous shot of a trainer working with an already well trained dog. One of the things I've spoken to people about is employing a iPal camera that uses motion and eye tracking software so that the shot is always focused on the dog, no matter how it moves (it’s also not as invasive to dogs as a GoPro on your head!). I'd like to buy a few of these cameras and send them to trainers to collect footage during their sessions with real dogs.

Another thing that makes my video course different is, eventually, the topics will go beyond anything someone receives from a traditional obedience class or private lesson. Topics like public etiquette, trail manners and how to read and understand canine body language.  I’d even like to add trainer commentary from guest professionals.

$5 OR MORE: eBook & agility pole set instructions

Anyone who donates $5 or more will receive an eBook that I created and use with all of my clients, as well as instructions to make your own agility weave pole set.

Clients are successful with the eBook because it includes a template for a sign you can put on your door to encourage guests to follow the rules.

The agility weave pole set costs approximately $30-$35 in materials from your local hardware store to make eight poles.  It's easy to add in more poles and disassembles quickly.  This makes for a fun and quick activity when  you need to burn a little mental and physical energy but don't have time for a walk.

T-Shirts - $20 each (includes above perks!)


The Prototype Pack

This includes three additional product concepts I'm in the process of working on and is intended for those who wish to participate in feedback, as well as promote on blogs and social media.  Plus, you're the first to receive finalized versions before anyone else!

Here is a description of the three products:

Clicker 2.0

I've redesigned a traditional clicker to be more slim and compact, with more surface area on the button.  It features an adapter groove that allows it to be attached to any leash or clipped to the user for hands-free wear.  I'm also considering a separate version for deaf dogs (or fish) by putting a light in the housing.  Several horse trainers have expressed their interest in this also.

Clicker Leash

Designed for everyday adventure, this leash has two slim clickers built into the handle for operable use no matter how you hold your leash.

I intent on using a local non-profit called Work Training Center for sewing. It's another way to do good with this project!

Leash Adapter

Designed for teaching loose leash walking, this unit fits between a leash and collar (or harness) and clicks when tension is removed. No image currently displayed in gallery however I do have several sketches of how the mechanism works.


Details & Challenges

My biggest challenge so far has been capital for prototype development, which brings me here.  The project really only needs to raise about $7,000.  The additional $3K was intended for any unforeseen expenses (better to ask for too much that not enough to fulfill).

The funding is going toward completing the product designs, manufacturing the 'click' plates, purchasing micro screws and purchasing a 3D printer with filament for prototyping and order fulfillment.  You can see a breakdown below.

I'll be using a Magic Box so that your ring comes out looking shiny and fabulous, unlike most 3D printed objects. There is a foreseeable fulfillment delay possibility should this not arrive in time because I will then have to apply this procedure by hand to each individual piece (You will definitely receive before Christmas and January's National Train Your Dog Month!).

The 3D printing phase is also crucial to three other product prototypes in development, which fifty (50) people can purchase through this campaign for a limited time and receive them long before the public.

I intend to return for a second campaign so that I can then fund injection molds, machine time and supplies for a production run on the ring and prototype products. I'm doing this so that I have a more accurate estimate of cost and can lower it for you.  If I were to create a mold for every ring size now, it would become quite expensive and I would likely not be successful due to the stage this project is in unless I put a hinge in the ring for one size fits all wear (similar to that of Ringbow).

On the positive side, proceeding this way greatly reduces the risk of failure and sets me up for the best possibility to succeed.  I have suppliers lined up, and back-ups in place for any contingencies that should arise.

In the event this campaign is unsuccessful, Indiegogo will take an additional cut.  I will be sad, you will be sad and millions of dog parents might never get to experience this fun and humane training experience. 

Since this is a flexible funding campaign, all funds retained will go toward completing designs first and then fulfillment.  I will honor requests for refunds in the event I'm unable to fulfill orders. Otherwise, you will receive a credit toward your clicker rings as funding continues through website pre-orders and/or crowdfunding on CanineCrowd.com once it's launched.

The Impact: Why Clicker Ring is important

If this campaign is not successful, these user-friendly clicker concepts may never make it to market for millions of dog owners to enjoy.

A successful campaign will allow me to create the other prototypes, test them and return for another campaign to fund injection molds and production runs.  

As important, I can start selling Clicker Ring through ClickerPlus.com so that I can help promote humane, force-free, positive training methods and equipment.

This is also the next step in my professional development. I have other social value projects I'd like to start. While I began conducting market research in college to build a better dog training business, I discovered some alarming statistics. 

Only about seven and a half percent of forty three million dog owning households actually purchase dog training services, In addition to my own experiences as a trainer, I've concluded there are many societal problems that ultimately can be traced back to this information. Things like, according to the CDC, the dog bite epidemic. Over 4 million dog bites per year, of which over 400,000 are children. (Sources: IBISWorld, AVMA Pet Demographic Sourcebook).

I once heard there's only about 6,000 humane trainers nationwide, too.  : (

I'd like to dedicated my career to solving problems in society through innovation in the pet industry.  Ask me what other projects I have going :D


Questions? 

Feel free to contact me (dogguyjosh@gmail.com or Twitter @DogGuyJosh or @ClickerPlus).  Throughout the campaign, I'll be posting a FAQ section from your submissions and video responses to YouTube.  Once the campaign ends, I will continue to update here, as well as the newsletter and community forums (coming soon).


Referral Contest: How You Can Help

Tell the dog lovers in your life.  Email them a link and share our campaign on your favorite social network using the share tools at the top of the page.  Indiegogo will track your sharing so that I can issue you additional rewards based on the contributions of your referrals! 

When their contributions total at least:

$100  I’ll send you one Clicker Ring per $100 in referrals, up to four!  

THREE CLAIMED SO FAR!!!

$500  I’ll send you a prototype pack, plus completed versions at a later date.  Optionally, you can be added permanently to the sponsor gallery page!

LOCALS: Get a clicker ring plus one hour of private training for every two referrals that purchase a ring.

Have a suggestion? Let me know!


THANK YOU FOR  VIEWING, SHARING AND SUPPORTING!

www.ClickerPlus.com


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Choose your Perk

featured

LAST DAY - CLICKER RING

$15 USD
Enjoy $5 off for the last day! (international shipping charges still applicable!)
Estimated Shipping
September 2014
10 out of 100 of claimed

Project Updates

$1 USD
THANK YOU so much for supporting this project. You've made a statement to the world that using humane training methods is important and your voice will be heard! I will keep you updated on our progress.
Estimated Shipping
September 2014
1 claimed

Clicker Ring

$20 USD
Your own Clicker Ring! Includes shipping. International shipping add $15.
Estimated Shipping
September 2014
36 claimed

T-Shirt

$20 USD
One T-shirt.
0 claimed

Two Clicker Rings

$35 USD
Two Clicker Rings. Includes shipping (international add $15).
Estimated Shipping
September 2014
37 claimed

Ring + T-shirt

$40 USD
Receive a clicker ring and a t-shirt
1 claimed

CLICKER LEASH

$45 USD
One clicker leash prototype and a completed version at a later date.
0 out of 25 of claimed

Private Session - Locals Only

$50 USD
One hour of in-home coaching at your convenience.
Estimated Shipping
September 2014
0 claimed

CLICKER RING + LEASH

$60 USD
Get a clicker ring plus a clicker leash prototype, and a completed version at a later date.
0 out of 25 of claimed

Prototype Pack

$100 USD
Be the first to test and keep all four prototypes before anyone else! Great for pet bloggers, dog trainers and clicker nerds. Includes shout-outs perk. (International shipping add $50).
Estimated Shipping
November 2014
9 out of 50 of claimed

Private Class - Locals Only

$250 USD
Six hours of in-home coaching at your convenience.
0 claimed

SPONSOR LISTING

$500 USD
Receive a permanent listing on the sponsor page gallery with your name, image and link.
Estimated Shipping
August 2014
0 out of 5 of claimed

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