As our dogs' teachers, we will considerably speed up their learning by "marking" desirable behavior. Using a sound (like a click from a dog training clicker) or a marker word (like “YES!”) at the precise moment a dog exhibits a behavior will make it clear to the dog what specific behavior is earning the reward. Think of a click or a marker word as the sound of a camera shutter as it takes a photo of the exact behavior you want to see.

Note that the sound of the clicker or the marker word is not inherently reinforcing, in and of itself. But when the click or the marker word is always followed by a reward, the clicker/marker becomes a “secondary reinforcer.” Your dog will get a little dopamine boost when they hear the click or the marker word because click/”YES!” always results in a reward.

Personally, I think a clicker is the most helpful tool when you want to be as precise as possible in training. I use a clicker with dogs when I am actively working on a new skill and have carved out time to reinforce repetitions of a behavior. There are several different kinds of clickers on the market, and any one of them will be fine. If you would like a specific recommendation, however, I use these.

A marker word/sound is basically just a verbal "click." I use marker words when I am not super focused on training, but still want to mark a behavior. (It can also be complicated to use a clicker for something like loose-leash walking, because you need to manage the leash and the food rewards, and you only have two hands.) Most trainers use "YES!" or "GOOD!" as a marker word, but you can use any short word/sound you like. Do your best to say it in the same way every time you use it.

Note that for the purpose of these how-to snippets, I will use the shorthand "C/T" for "click/treat," though you can just as easily substitute a marker word for the click in any of these instances.

Important: When marking a behavior, you will click or say "YES!" and THEN get a food reward from your treat pouch. If the treat comes into view before the behavior, it's considered part of the cue, which means the behavior becomes contingent upon the visual presence of a treat (aka, a bribe). Because you will eventually fade the treats away, however, don't get in this habit!

Practice marking behavior by watching this great video on Clicker Mechanics. It might feel a little silly to break it down like this, but remember that you are also learning a new skill! Set yourself up for success by developing some muscle memory before training with your dog.

Lesson Activity

Recommended Media for Using a Marker

• Watch: Home Alone, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dog Star Daily
• Nerd Out by Listening: It's more than a click (or clicker), Hannah Branigan, Drinking from the Toilet 
• Nerd out by Listening: Clicker Training: Will it Work for Every Dog?, Susan Garrett, Shaped by Dog
• Visit: clickertraining.com