A clicker or marker word are what’s known as bridging stimuli – they bridge the gap between the dog doing something right and getting a treat. Dogs very quickly learn that when they hear the click or marker word, whatever they were doing at that exact moment is the right thing, and that a treat will follow. They therefore learn very quickly to repeat the behaviour again and again.
Why use a marker word?
- A click is a quick sound – it can pinpoint an exact point in a range of behaviours
- A click is a unique sound – the dog won’t hear it any other times during the day
- A click has no emotion – if you’re annoyed with your dog, he/she can’t hear it
- A marker word ideally needs to have these qualities – I use the word “yip”
- Dogs love clicker training!
- It’s a brilliant way of building up a fantastic relationship with your dog
- It really opens up communication between you and your dog
How do I use a marker word?
- It takes practise – practise without your dog to start with.
- Whenever you click the clicker or use a marker word, ALWAYS follow it with a treat, even if you click by accident!
- Keep your hands still until you have clicked/marked otherwise the dog will watch your hand moving for the treats instead of listening for the click. They will then start to be confused about which behaviour you are looking for.
- When you click or mark, follow up with a treat as soon as possible – the quicker the better.
- Stay quiet while clicker training or using marker words – no need to say anything until after you have clicked/marked
- Set up the dog to succeed – start each task in the easiest way possible for your dog so that you can click/mark and reward him/her. Gradually build up difficulty over time.
- If you’re having to wait so long for your dog to do something that he gets bored and walks off, or frustrated and starts barking or pawing at the treat hand, you’re asking too much – stop the training and next time, break it down into simpler steps.