What Is Marker Training?
Marker training is the pairing of a particular sound or word with a reward. Marker training has a huge lifelong value in training dogs of all ages and skill levels. At Sit Means Sit Hawaii Dog Training we highly recommend be a steadfast approach when creating a healthy, motivating and happy relationship with your dog.
We use the word “yes” as the marker that indicates to the dog that a reward is imminent. The reward can be in the form of food, affection or a toy. Initially, the reward in most cases is food. In those few cases where the dog has little or no food drive, we use affection. A toy can also be used as a reward, but normally this involves more advanced work.
Marker Training Tips And Clarifications
During the course of your training, you may hear your trainer suggesting to you to “give an earlier marker.” The reasoning for this is that the dog may be hesitating or problem solving in the early stages of learning and proofing the skill. Providing an earlier marker helps to support a steep learning curve. On the other end of the spectrum, you may also hear your trainer suggest to delay the marker and have the dog perform multiple tasks prior to receiving the “yes” marker.
In the beginning we are generally “silver spooning” the reward to the dog (meaning that we are extending the food held in our hand in full view to the dog.) As the dog learns the concept of marker training, it is important to have the dog pursue the food. This means we say “yes,” and then direct the dog to a specific target where the reward has already been preset.
It is important than when the audible marker is given, it should be with a clear and enthusiastic voice. There is a time delay between the sound of the voice and the delivery of the reward. For example when we give the marker “yes,” we wait for a 1001 count before presenting and dispensing the food. In the event that the audible sound and delivery are simultaneous, the dog will learn to only target the hand delivery and not learn to pay attention to the directions given from the handler.
Consider that “yes” means food/reward every time and this rule never changes. In the likely event that the handler’s timing is off and the “yes” marker is delivered, it is mandatory to follow through. We never want to devalue the reward by changing the system. The bottom line is that 200 freebies are far better than changing the rules 4-5 times.
The reasoning behind intermittent rewards is twofold. Firstly, we do not want to create a dog that solely operates on food and nothing else. Secondly, we can gain huge levels of motivation with intermittent rewards as the dog simply grows into an attitude of anticipation that, if translated, would be something like this. “I know its coming. I know it is one more time. Okay, one time. Wow, this is going to be great when I get this reward! YES! I knew it! I told you he never rips me off!”
We use the word “good” to wean off of the high value food reward. Good means that “affection” and/or food delivery is imminent.
The Progression Is As Follows:
We teach the actual concept of marker training to the dog, and once he spins on a dime at the drop of the word “yes,” we start using it in teaching all skills with incremental steps and progressions. Then next phase is when the dogs demonstrates comprehension of the skill, when we then implement the word “good” and begin intermittent rewards.
Naturally, everyone’s goals are to have a reliable dog with as few training aids required to execute any given skill. Please feel free to ask questions of your trainer as you face teaching challenges for specific skills as well as problem solving with known skills.