Markers Matter: How to Train Smarter, Not Harder

What if I told you that three simple words could completely change the way your dog listens to you? ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ and ‘Good’—these aren’t just random sounds, they’re powerful tools that create clarity, speed up learning, and eliminate confusion in training. In today’s episode, we’re diving into marker training—why it works, how to use it, and how these little words can make a big difference in your dog’s behavior. Let’s get started!

Sammy the Goldendoodle receives a reward (yes marker) for completing a roll over on the lawn in Oklahoma.

TLDR:

Markers are simple, consistent cues we use to communicate effectively with our dogs. “Yes” for exactly the behavior you want with a reward, “Good” to encourage without a treat, and “No” to signal unwanted actions. These sharpen communication and accelerate learning. With repetition and consistency, these three markers transform every training session into a clear, effective dialogue between you and your dog.

Click. Yes. No. Good boy. Ah-ah.These are just a few of the common sounds you’ll hear from dog owners, and whether you realize it or not, these are all markers.

So, what exactly is a marker?A marker is a signal that identifies a behavior as either desirable or undesirable. Think of it like a slap on the wrist from a teacher or a cookie from a parent for getting a good grade. In both cases, a clear signal is being given about whether the behavior should be repeated or avoided.

Since dogs don’t naturally understand human language, it’s our job as their owner to teach them what our words mean. That’s where markers come in. Markers are clear, consistent cues (usually sounds) that help dogs associate their actions with our expectations.

Dogs tend to learn more quickly when their behavior is followed by a noticeable response. This is the core idea behind positive reinforcement. (Quick note: "positive" doesn’t just mean “reward”, we’ll dive deeper into that in a future post! For now, think of positive reinforcement as the addition of something (like food, sound, or pressure) to influence behavior. On the flip side, negative reinforcement involves the removal of something unpleasant to encourage a desired behavior. These two concepts often work together in training.

Types of Markers

So how exactly do we use markers to speed up training and improve communication with our dogs? First, let’s introduce the three types we’ll use: terminal, neutral, and correction. Here’s a quick look at what each one does.

1. Terminal Marker (“Yes” Marker)

This marker pinpoints the exact moment your dog performs the behavior you want—and tells them a reward is coming. We call it the “Yes” marker because it’s short, snappy, and natural. As soon as your dog nails the behavior, say “Yes!” (or press your clicker) and then deliver the treat. High-value rewards—like a ball, chicken bit, or favorite kibble—make this marker especially powerful.

• Word cue: “Yes!”

• Alternative cue: clicker (just remember it ties up a hand!)

• Timing: Mark first, treat second.

2. Neutral Marker (“Good” Marker)

Think of this as a word of encouragement. The “Good” marker tells your dog, “You’re on the right track,” but no treat follows. It’s perfect for shaping longer behaviors before you give the terminal marker. Keep it simple: “Good!” or “Good boy/girl,” with a happy tone to reinforce that they’re doing well.

• Word cue: “Good!” or “Good boy/girl”

• Purpose: Praise without a treat.

3. Correction Marker (“No” Marker)

When your dog does something you don’t want, reach for your “No” marker. A firm “No!” or “Ah-ah!” immediately signals “Stop and rethink.” Often, you’ll follow this with a quick corrective step like a leash flick, repositioning your dog, or sending them back to their command. Use it sparingly, unless immediate correction is required, This will encourage your dog to try and problem solve on their own rather than be given the answer right away.  Use calmly, so your dog learns that unwanted actions simply don’t pay.

• Word cue: “No!” or “Ah-ah!”

• Follow-up: Gentle corrective action (leash cue, reposition, etc.)

• Use it as a corrective measure to fix a broken command or unwanted behavior

• When teaching a trick let, your dog “figure it out” before giving them guidance with a no marker.

  
  

Practice Makes Perfect

Now that we understand what markers are and which types we’ll use, it’s time to start practicing. The best way to teach your dog these markers is through repetition, repetition, repetition.

One of my favorite games for teaching the yes marker is the Eye Contact Game. Grab a handful of treats, and each time your dog looks at you, say “Yes!” in a friendly tone and immediately offer/press a treat towards them. Repeat every time they make eye contact with you. This not only teaches them the meaning of “yes” but also reinforces the valuable behavior of looking at you, a key foundation for so much of our training.

The same principle applies to the other markers: the more you practice, the quicker your dog will learn. Consistency is key. Whenever you say “yes,” follow with a reward. Whenever you use your no marker, follow through with the correction. Consistency is one of the pillars of successful training. If you mix up a marker or accidentally use a different sound that’s okay, our dogs are pretty smart, but the more consistent we can be the quicker they will learn.

Project

1. Play the Eye Contact Game at home.

   • Every time your dog looks at you, mark it with “yes” and give a treat.

   • If they look away, lure their gaze back and try again.

2. Level up.

   • Once your dog reliably holds eye contact, you can either mark again with “yes” + treat or praise with “good boy/girl” (no treat).

   • Gradually increase the time they must maintain eye contact before you mark it.

With steady practice and clear markers, you’ll see your dog’s focus and your training sessions improve dramatically!

We’d love to hear how it goes for you or how you adapt it to make it your own! If you ever need help, feel free to reach out to us. Let’s see what we can come up with together!