A marker is a noise, a word, or a physical gesture you make to let your dog know he did what you asked and now he will be rewarded.
I personally like to use the word 'yes', a clicker or a noise. If you have a deaf dog you can give them a thumbs up. For simplicity, I am going to refer to using the clicker, so that I don't drive everyone crazy with all the others. They all work the same way. You are letting your dog know - you did good - pay day is coming.
I start with a clicker just to make it really obvious when I’m starting to teach a new item. Clickers are also great because they make the same sound no matter where you are or what mood you are in. Once the dog understands the new trick or behavior, I will switch to 'yes' or a noise because I’m not always going to have my clicker with me.
How do you start?
Start by clicking the clicker and feed your dog. Repeat one-million times. Just kidding. Click and treat 5-10 times in a 2-3 sittings over 1-2 days.
That is it! Super easy. Click. Treat. Click. Treat.
Now choose a behavior they know. If they know sit tell your dog to 'sit'. Then click. Then treat. Great work!
New behavior? Easy! Lure you dog into a down and click and treat. Once your dog understands the physical movements you can say 'down' - click - treat.
How do you take the treats out of the equation and not be treat dependent? Well that is an article for another day. Stay tuned.
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