They are not pens, although in a sense they could have the same function: to approve or not a behavior, to value it or to refuse it. It would then be like checking a virtual box for your dog with a “yes” marker and a “no” marker.
Markers tell your dog whether a behavior is accepted or refused. They come in the form of verbal cues (a word or sound) or gestures (a movement).
The positive markers in dog training 👍🏻
It can be a word : « yes », « super », « good », « bravo ».
It can be a gesture : your thumb up, waving your hand, nodding.
It can be a sound : a clicker, clicking with your tongue, snapping your fingers.
They express your approval and are followed by a reinforcer, meant to motivate your dog to reproduce the behavior that has just received your acquiescence.
The negative markers in dog training 👎🏻
It can be a word : « no », « bad », « eh ! », « pff ! ».
It can be a gesture : your thumb down, waving your hand, moving your head from left to right.
It can be a sound : a clicker, clicking with your tongue, snapping your fingers.
They express your disapproval and are followed by a punishment, meant to demotivate your dog from reproducing the behavior that has just received your disapproval.
The markers in dog training are a promise to your dog that they are followed by a consequence. They intervene between his behavior and the reinforcement or punishment. They are essential to validate or invalidate your dog's behavior. They inform and guide your dog in what is expected of him.
If he only receives negative markers, he will learn to evaluate the contexts in which they are issued and to avoid them. However, he will not know which behaviors are appreciated, which efforts from him are valued. By preferring positive markers, you also ensure the good mood of your dog who then does not anticipate something negative.
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