When marker training your dog, it doesn't just end at the clicker. Next, we need a cue, a bridge word, and a release word. Check out how the process works with our tips and training video below!
If you've decided marker training is the style you'd like to use with your pup, excellent! And welcome to part 2 of our intro to marker training. If you haven't watched and read part 1 yet, head to this post first!
Part 2 video of marker dog training. Watch for a quick example of how to take a dog or puppy from hearing the click sound of the market, to learning the the cue. Then scroll to explore dog training terminology you'll need to know as well as our quick start to finish marker training list!
The first thing to note is that your clicker is never entirely removed from training. It should always be your go-to step when teaching your dog something new.
So do you continue using a clicker to mark every cue your dog follows? Nope! Once your dog understands the behavior (like sit) and the cue that pairs with the behavior (when I hear sit, my booty hits the ground), it’s time to phase the clicker out of that specific exercise. Plus, you’ll begin to incorporate a bridge word and a release word.
If you're getting a little lost with training termonlogy, explore commonly used terms below. Or scroll down for a start-to-finish marker training list.
Clicker
Positive Marker
Negative Marker
Timing
Cue/Command
Release word
Bridge Word
Recap of what video 1 marker training and video 2 demonstrated.
Pair the clicker sound with a positive reward in your dog's brain. Do this by clicking repeatedly and handing over dog kibble or whatever easy-to-eat treat you're using. Make sure you click, then quickly give the treat in fast and repetitive motions. This allows your dog to learn that click means reward.
Wait for your dog to offer whatever cue you'd like to work on. Sit, for example, is what this video demonstrates.
The second your dog's booty hits the ground, click and reward. Do not use a cue yet!
Move around so that your dog follows you, giving them a chance to get up, then again offer the behavior (in this case, the sit).
Continue the pattern of moving around, waiting for the dog to sit, clicking once they sit, and rewarding over and over until it's obvious they understand the game.
Once they're readily offering the behavior (sit), add in the cue/command. You do this by waiting until they start to move into a seat and then saying, 'Sit!' Click and reward.
Continue adding the cue (sit) a little sooner each round. Maybe the first 10 times, you wait until their butt is already halfway down, and then you start saying it when they're still standing up to see if they've paired the word to the behavior. Don't give the command again if your dog doesn't immediately sit, wait them out and then click and reward once they do.
Once they have the hang of the sit cue, remove the clicker and instead say your chosen release word.
While you say their release word, move your hand holding the treat away from your dog so that they understand their release word means they can get up and move around. Repeat this over and over until they get the hang of what the release word means.
Add the bridge word in by saying, "Good," in a calm tone while the dog is still sitting. Then add the release word after a few seconds of, 'Good.' This way, they start to understand that the bridge word means the treat is almost coming, but not quite yet. This is helpful in building duration during obedience.
Take a break, keep things short and fun, and repeat the training exercises in small sessions throughout the day...and the next! Nice work!
Remember, the clicker is always used for marker training when introducing new cues. And if you want to go back and offer a click for behaviors they already know to clean them up or add some bonus, easy-to-earn treats, that's completely fine.
Have you tried marker training yet? If so, drop us a comment and let us know how it's going. We love to hear every story about all the dogs. Thanks for being such a great owner, and remind your pup that they really are The Best K9.
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