A topic turned up while I was composing this weeks training review. I talked about clickers, and in a description of Zen-bowl training I mention other types of markers. Then I realised not everyone would know what a clicker was. Or what a marker was.

A marker is a sound or other indication (thumbs up for example for a deaf creature) that what the dog does right now is the correct thing, and that a reward is forthcoming in some way.

A marker is ‘charged’ by pairing it several (typically 10-20) times with a good reward. Marker – 1-3 second wait – Reward. Pavlov’s Bell is invoked – the marker becomes a predictor of good stuff, and the dog gets a shot of dopamine (happy hormone) when it perceives the marker. Dopamine enhances the ability to learn and retain learning, so the behaviour is increased.

A clicker is a mechanical item that you press, and it goes ‘click’. It is a very precise and unambiguous marker. No variations in sound or length – there is no doubt to the dog what it means. There is some dexterity involved though – and a frequent wish for a third hand (leash, treat, clicker).

Many also (or instead) use a (variety of) verbal marker(s). Mine are:

• YES! Quick and bright, and I often pull my hand back a few centimeters. It means “come here and get your treat!”
• Gooooood. Low, slow. It means “stay in position – food will be stuffed into your mouth shortly.”
• Get It! Enthusiastic. It means “food/toy will be thrown somewhere nearby, you must go Get It yourself.”
• Værsågod. (“Here you go”). Relaxed. Same as above, and session is over for now.
• Zen. “You may take the food in that bowl on the ground over there.”

Special mention:

• Find (x). Pretty much like Get It if he can see it, but we also use it for searching games. Hide a toy and tell him to Find Parrot! Less arousing, engages the nose often.
• Chase Me. I learnt this from the Awesome Obedience book (like about 90% of the above). It’s supposed to be a way to increase speed and enthusiasm – typically paired with the YES marker, I guess, but I haven’t used it much.

At the end of this long list, I would just like to say that although I’m occasionally confused, I mix markers and praise, and I generally have far from the experience that I’d like, Fenris seems to be perfectly OK with where-ever the treat is coming from. I guess that makes him the smart one?