Getting Started with Markers:
A Fundamental Dog Training Technique
Ready to build a stronger bond with your dog through clearer communication? Let’s dive into the fundamentals of marker training.
A marker is a word or sound that clearly communicates to your dog that they have just performed a behavior correctly. This can be a clicker or a verbal cue like ‘yes’. For dogs with hearing impairments, a visual marker such as a hand signal, a gentle touch, or even a flash of light can be used.
Then, there’s the reward, which is often food. For effective training rewards, avoid using large biscuits, as these can be too filling and take too long for your dog to eat during training. Instead, choose small, enticing options. While you can find specifically marketed training treats, these can be a little overpriced, so I usually recommend more affordable options like pieces of a larger-sized kibble (different than your usual brand, so it still feels special) or small pieces of cooked hot dogs, cheese, or carrots. Plain, air-popped popcorn is one of my favorite choices, because a 99¢ bag of kernels makes a surprisingly large amount of training treats!
Keep in mind that some dogs are more motivated by toys than food. My dog Louie, for instance, our PAWSitive Impact mascot, will do anything for a tennis ball! Sometimes, a favorite toy can be the ultimate reward. I even remember when Louie was going through training classes and wasn’t giving me his full attention. The moment I pulled out a tennis ball, he became laser-focused and incredibly eager to do whatever I was asking because he wanted that ball so badly. So, pay attention to what really motivates your dog – it might be a tasty treat, or it could be the chance to catch their favorite toy.
A final note on rewards: It’s important to understand that a treat is not a marker; it’s the reward. The marker serves to pinpoint the exact moment your dog performed the desired action correctly. The reward, on the other hand, motivates them to repeat that behavior in the future.
Choosing Your Marker
Let’s talk about choosing a good marker.
Consistency is a cornerstone of effective marker training, and indeed, of dog training in general. Think about it – you wouldn’t use a different word every time you wanted your dog to sit, would you? You’d just use one word: ‘Sit’. Well, it’s the exact same idea with your marker. Using the same word or signal consistently helps your dog clearly understand what you are asking of them.
The clicker is often considered the gold standard of markers. It’s like a magic sound that your dog only hears when they do something right. The sound is always consistent, completely distinct from our usual speech, with no emotional baggage attached, making it an exceptionally precise marker. However, some people, including myself, find it a little challenging to juggle the leash, treats, and a clicker all at once. If you find yourself in this situation, or if a clicker simply isn’t your preference, a verbal marker is also a great option.
A word like ‘good’ might seem like a natural choice, but I actually discourage it as a primary marker because it likely already carries a lot of pre-existing meaning for your dog as general praise and reward. This can make it less precise as a signal for a specific correct behavior.
A simple word like ‘yes’ is actually perfectly acceptable and probably the most common choice because it’s short and clear. And, while ‘yes’ will certainly work, you might find even greater precision by considering a more unique marker. For example, a nonsense word or a word from another language, like ‘si’ (which is Spanish for ‘yes’), can be very effective because your dog is unlikely to have any prior associations with it or hear it in any other context.
Timing
With your marker chosen, let’s now delve into the crucial aspect of timing. Precise timing is paramount when marking a behavior. If you mark too early or too late, you might inadvertently mark the wrong action, significantly hindering the efficiency of your training sessions.
You can practice timing with a game I like to call the Eye Contact Challenge. In this game, you encourage your dog to focus on you simply by using your marker. You’re not going to use the word ‘focus’. Instead, you’re just going to capture your dog’s attention by marking the precise moment their eyes meet yours. Simply wait for your dog to look you in the eye, then mark and treat.
Now, this might take a moment, especially at first – some dogs are easily distracted by the world around them! If your dog isn’t immediately making eye contact, you could try a soft noise, like a smooch or a finger snap, to gently draw their attention, but try to wait it out for a bit first; we’re aiming to capture that natural glance. If you do need to use a noise, try a different one each time to avoid accidentally training them to look at you only when you make that specific sound.
A common mistake to watch out for in this game – and in all training exercises – is offering the treat before you mark. It’s natural to want to give the treat immediately, but ensure you first use your marker to signal that they’ve performed the desired action correctly. Try to incorporate a brief pause between marking and rewarding: Mark. Pause. Reward. You might even try placing your treat hand behind your back. Not only can this slow down your instinct to treat right away, this can help direct your dog’s focus away from the treat and increase the likelihood of them looking at you.
Try it now: Wait for your dog to look into your eyes and MARK!…pause for a beat…reward.
With accurate timing, you’ll likely observe your dog looking at you more frequently. This indicates that you’re communicating clearly, and they’re understanding your message.
Once your dog is really understanding the Eye Contact Challenge, you can progress to a more advanced stage by incorporating encouraging words to extend their focus. If you’ve established a clear and consistent marker, encouraging words like “good” and “great” won’t confuse your dog into thinking they are about to receive a treat. And drawing them out, like saying ‘Gooooood,’ can help distinguish these words from your marker even more and encourage them to hold their gaze longer – think of it as ‘stretching out’ the behavior. This will help keep them engaged and encouraged until you’re ready to finish (mark) and reward.
Try it now: When your dog looks at you, softly say things like, “Goooood. That’s great. Good job.” Then, once they’ve held the focus for a sufficient amount of time, MARK!…pause…reward.
Now, as you continue practicing the Eye Contact Challenge, try to gradually increase the duration of your dog’s focus. If you want the ultimate challenge, aim for a full 30 seconds! It’s worth noting that even my Louie sometimes finds it tricky to hold his focus for the entire 30 seconds, so don’t be discouraged if it takes some time. The key is to build up in small increments. Once your dog is consistently holding their gaze for a certain amount of time, say 5 seconds, try adding another 5 seconds. If they successfully meet that new goal several times, you can continue to increase the duration. However, if you find they’re struggling with the next increment, take a step back to the previous duration where they were successful. Remember, we want to set your dog up for success and build their confidence, rather than have them repeatedly fail at a level they aren’t quite ready for yet.
Conclusion
And that’s it! Very simple, but incredibly important. Now, it’s time to practice! Keep treats in your pocket whenever you can, and make a conscious effort to mark your dog’s good behavior, both big and small. From simple commands like sit and down, to those unexpected moments of brilliance – every positive action deserves recognition. Remember, a marked behavior is a behavior reinforced. So, instead of solely focusing on what not to do, shower your furry friend with positive reinforcement by using your marker. Mark those quiet moments, those patient waits, and those wonderful, spontaneous good choices. By recognizing their positive actions, we’re not just training them; we’re building a stronger bond based on understanding and reward.
Make every day an opportunity to celebrate their achievements by telling them ‘Yes’ (or whatever your chosen marker is)!”
The Eye Contact Challenge: Quick Steps
- Wait for your dog to look you in the eye.
- Theinstant their eyes meet yours, use your marker word or clicker.
- Pause for a brief beat (a count of one).
- Give your dog a treat or other reward.
Advanced: Once your dog consistently looks at you, try gradually increasing the amount of time they hold their gaze before you mark and reward. Use encouraging words like “Good” or “Great” (drawn out, if you like) to help them.
Ultimate: Work towards the ultimate goal of a 30-second focus, increasing the duration in small, manageable increments.