Marker
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What:
- A marker is a word or sound that marks a moment when your dog does the right thing, building clarity and understanding for the dog.
- A marker improves how you communicate with your dog and gives them the feedback they need to learn and perform.
- A well-conditioned marker elicits an emotional response in the dog.
- Most people unknowingly condition certain marker words like "Good Dog" and "No".
- To have the maximum impact, a marker word needs to have a sharp, consistent sound and be used alone.
Why:
- A well-conditioned marker allows you to positively reward your dog the second they do something you like, dramatically improving your training.
- A marker, when established, lets you train and reward the dog even if you have no treats.
- A marker is excellent for times when your dog may not be food-motivated.
- A marker allows you to raise criteria and get behaviours ready for real-world use.
- A marker can help eliminate unwanted behaviour without needing punishment
- A marker is a great tool to help when capturing behaviours.
- A marker can help prevent frustration in the dog during training.
- A marker helps remove unwanted parts in a behaviour loop.
How:
Pairing a markerThe fastest way to pair or build a marker word is by using food as a primary reinforcer when your dog is hungry. This is because you can deliver the marker followed by food, and a few seconds later, once your dog has swallowed the food, you can go again, making the learning quick and enjoyable for both the human and the dog. Once the marker is built at dinner time, you can strengthen it by using other reinforcers like sniffing, toys, play, access to certain areas like the outside or that comfy spot on the couch, pats, praise and even interaction with other people and animals.
When training the marker, deliver the sound first, then present the food. Avoid letting your dog see the food in your hand first or the hand reaching into your treat pouch. This ensures you reward your dog, not bribe them. Click here for an excellent guide by McCann Dogs Bribe VS Reward.
When training the marker, deliver the sound first, then present the food. Avoid letting your dog see the food in your hand first or the hand reaching into your treat pouch. This ensures you reward your dog, not bribe them. Click here for an excellent guide by McCann Dogs Bribe VS Reward.
Steps for a Yes/clicker – (High energy Event marker that marks the completion of the behaviour) 1. Say the marker word Yes or click in an upbeat tone2. Deliver food quickly directly to your dog’s mouth. 3. Repeat around 10 or 20 times. 4. Capture Fun energy by conditioning the marker when your dog is happy and playful.
Steps for a Good/hold – (Low energy Continuous marker that marks ongoing good behaviour) 1. Say the marker word Good, hold or even a Shush sound in a slow, low energy energy-calming tone 2. Deliver food slowly to your dog’s mouth, hold the food as long as possible till your dog gently takes it and gently pat the dog (if they enjoy it) while repeating the marker word. 3. Repeat around 10 or 20 times. 4. Capture calm energy by conditioning this marker when your dog is relaxing on their bed.
- To get the best results, Clasically condition your marker words. You can do this by not asking the dog anything for the first few repetitions. It is also more effective if you Charge the marker before every training session.
- Using your marker effectively:
- You can use the marker once you have built and conditioned it during training.
- When asking a dog for specific behaviour, you can use the marker the second time the dog does the right thing. For example, if you ask the dog to sit, the second the dog’s backside touches the floor, you mark YES and deliver a food reward.
- When getting a dog to stay seated, you say ‘SIT’, then mark YES and reward when the dog sits. You then say GOOD and slowly deliver the next treat or pats while the dog is seated.
Your marker is an excellent tool to help build positive behaviour paterns and teach the dog to avoid undesirable behaviours.
THe best way to do this is to Find your moment of YES
Click below on the excellent illustration by Lili Chin to learn more.
Great Videos by other trainers
No reward markers (NRM)
No reward markers are a form of feedback to let your dog know they are not on the right track and need to try again. When used correctly with the right learner, they can speed up learning and create a better understanding for your dog of what they need to do. These markers should never be used as a punishment and should not have an emotional attachment. If you find yourself getting angry and frustrated when using an NRM, it will not enhance or speed up learning; instead, you may get a dog that doesn't want to work with you or one that gets angry and frustrated, and learning capacity will be reduced. If you get emotional, avoid using an NRM; instead, reduce criteria and go back to training the behaviour. Using less aversive words like Uh Ohh, Whops, or Nice try can help humans remember to remove the emotion from this marker.
Before using a no-reward marker, make sure the dog has been trained and understands the behaviour you're asking for and that you are using the right reinforcement when asking for the behaviour.
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