Using Clickers or Markers in Detection Training

What Are Markers, and Why Do They Work? | Kevin Sheldahl

In this clip, Kevin Sheldahl breaks down marker training: where it came from (Skinnerian animal training and the naval dolphin/sea lion programs), why a clicker's sound was originally chosen, and what a marker actually does for your dog. Spoiler: it's not about food, it's a conditioned reinforcer, an "IOU" that tells the dog what it just did is about to pay off. Kevin also covers the three ways you can ever reward a dog and how few repetitions it really takes to condition a marker.

This clip is from Leerburg's Online University course, Foundations of Scent Work Training

Want to train with Kevin in person? He's coming back to teach a Detection Training Seminar, Nov 6-8, 2026. Working spots are still available!