Dogs learn to repeat behaviors that are rewarded, which is why giving your dog a treat after she performs a desired behavior is an effective training method. This method relies on your dog figuring out which behavior is earning the treat.
To make training more effective, you can add in a marker (like a clicker) that communicates to the dog the precise moment that she earned the treat.
The marker is presented the moment the dog performs the desired behavior, and then the marker is immediately followed up with a treat. The marker becomes associated with the reward, and the precise timing of the marker makes it clear to the dog which behavior is being rewarded.
Marking the desired behavior is important because the reward can’t always be delivered at the precise moment of the behavior every time.
In order to be effective, reward markers must be:
- The same every time (if it’s a word you say it in the same way each time)
- Presented at the precise moment the dog performs the desired behavior
- Paired with a reward (usually a treat)
When I say “the marker is paired with a reward,” I want to emphasize that the reward should follow the marker EVERY TIME. Even if you accidentally hit your clicker and didn’t intend to reward the dog at that moment, you should give the dog a reward. The marker only has value because it predicts the reward.
Types of Reward Markers:
Clickers
A clicker is a small device with a button that creates a unique clicking sound when pressed. A clicker makes a great reward marker because the sound is clear, unique, and always the same.
Marker Words
Some people would rather use a marker word than a clicker, because then they don’t have to dedicate a hand to the clicker. The marker word I use is “yes.”
The marker word should be a word that you don’t say to the dog in other contexts. Otherwise, the word wouldn’t meet the three criteria for an effective reward marker. So for example, if you tell your dog she’s a “good girl” all the time (like I do), then “good girl” is not an appropriate marker word.
The timing of the marker word should be as precise as possible, and it should be said the same way every time, preferably in a calm voice.
Other
Clickers and marker words are the most common reward markers, but any neutral stimulus can serve as a reward marker. A neutral stimulus is something the dog can perceive that doesn’t have any meaning on its own.
Clickers and marker words wouldn’t be useful reward markers for a deaf dog. Instead, you could present the dog with a hand signal the moment the dog performs the desired behavior. As long as the hand signal is consistent, presented at the proper time, and always followed by a treat, it will function as a reward marker.