What is a marker?

What the hell is a clicker(marker)? It’s not some magic tool that’s going to train your dog and it’s def not a remote (I have seen people try and use it as one)

It was originally a kids toy before it moved over into the animal behavior world.

Well in the world of behavior and training it’s formally known as a conditioned reinforcer. You don’t really need to know that but see it as a bridge between what you are using to reward your dog and the behavior you want.

Some people still think that using food is bribery, which is complete crap.

A marker is what makes this so.

It simply means ‘yes that’s exactly what I want to see’ and that the reward is coming. Imagine you are taking a picture of a behavior you want to see.

You don’t have to use a clicker you can use your voice also called a ‘verbal marker’. There are pros and cons to both, just make sure you are consistent with how you use them.

With a verbal marker your hands are freer to focus on what you are doing, some dogs might not like the clicker, It also gives you the chance to put some warmth into your training.

However, a clicker may potentially help you be more consistent and more precise, so it just depends on what you are personally working towards with your dog.

Now a marker is something you need to teach your dog! You can use food or toys, you can also have a marker word for each, again it just depends on what you are looking for.

There are a few golden rules for using a marker.

 You must pay if you say it. It doesn’t matter if you time it wrong, you can change and move around reinforcement, but you don’t want to start not following through with your marker.

Like with most of your cue’s, you ‘say it once’ - now this seems to be a difference in opinion, but I am in the camp of using a clicker ‘once’ not clicking it three times and the same goes for a verbal marker.

Timing is everything, mark at wrong time and there is potential you will reinforce the wrong behavior.

 Now in my view a marker is essential, if you don’t use one you are only leaving things up to chance.

If you need help with your dog and don’t know where to begin, send me message and we can talk about it.