Creating a Common Language
The WHAT and WHY of Markers
You’ve probably heard of clicker training—popularized by marine mammal trainer Karen Pryor in the ‘80s. Do you need a clicker? Is a clicker good or bad? What is a clicker? Good questions! A clicker is a small handheld device that emits a distinct "click" sound when pressed. This sound serves as a marker or bridging stimulus, signaling to the animal that it has performed the desired behavior and that a reward is forthcoming.
You may not need a clicker but what you do need is something called a marker—a sound or word that tells your dog, “Yes! That’s exactly what I wanted.” A marker is simply a sound (like a click, a word like “Yes,” or a tone) that clearly tells your dog whether they did something right or wrong delivered at the moment the behavior occurs.
For example:
• Saying “Good boy!” when your dog sits is a positive reward marker—it means a treat or praise is coming.
• Saying “No!” when they grab a sock is a non-reward marker—a signal that marks they did not give the required action and therefore will not be receiving the treat or praise. (consequence)
Dogs don’t speak English, so without a marker, they might not understand what specific action earned the treat or the “oops.” Markers help connect the behavior with the consequence—even if you’re a few steps away or can’t deliver the reward instantly.
Science tells us dogs learn best when feedback comes within 1.6 seconds of a behavior. A marker gives you that instant feedback window. You can use different marker words for different things—like one for “come get your reward” and another for “stay while I bring it to you.”
So, do clickers help? Absolutely. They’re super consistent and always sound the same. But if you don’t want to carry one around, your voice works just fine—as long as you keep it consistent in tone, volume, and meaning.
Just remember:
• Always follow through. If you say “Yes,” deliver a reward. If you say “No,” follow up with a consequence.
o Example rewards: treats, praise, playtime, snuggles
o Example consequences: loss of access (to item or person), reset position, time-out in pup-safe area
• Don’t drop your rewards too fast. Fade them slowly over time so your dog stays motivated and trusts the system.
Want to learn more? Check out Karen Pryor’s book “Don’t Shoot the Dog” or listen to The Canine Paradigm: Episode 32 – The Art of Communication.
OR
Drop me an email at dogtrainer@fydoland.com. I’d love to help you and your dog learn more!
-Ahna Manz
Dog Training Coordinator
FYDOLAND Canine Activity Center