Clicker proponents think the very quick sound is more easily effectivly timed, but personally I find using a tool to make a sound more clumsy and therefore just as prone to timing error as the voiced "yes" or "good".

You can use either, and there are pros and cons to both.

Clicker pros are like Denise said, that they are quicker for people new to marker training. Additionally, tone and inflection doesn't change like it sometimes can with a vocal marker.

Clicker cons are again, like Denise said, it can be a pain to juggle leash, treats, clickers and so on. Additionally, you may not always have your clicker with you, it can break or get lost, or you simply don't have it when you need it to tell the dog "good job". Also, some dogs key in on the associated hand movement, which means they tend to be looking at the hand holding the clicker when they receive the mark- which means you are rewarding looking at your hand. (This can be avoided by clicking behind your back, or in your pocket).

Another clicker con is volume and similarity. If you have more than one handler using clickers in an area, the dog may become confused. Also, the sound of a clicker may not carry as far as your voice.

The pros of using vocal markers are mainly that there's one less thing to juggle.
You will always be able to use your voice, your dog will distinguish your voice and marker from other sounds, even over a distance.

The main con is that you may forget and say the wrong word (at first), you may use too excited of a tone some of the time, but not at others (your tone should be consistant as is possible).

Sometimes with vocal markers, instead of juggling all those different objects (leash, clicker, treats), you end up juggling words.


I think the majority of folks on this board use vocal markers, and I assume the Leerburg Marker video will use vocal markers.

 Quote: denise skidmore

Clicker proponents think the very quick sound is more easily effectivly timed, but personally I find using a tool to make a sound more clumsy and therefore just as prone to timing error as the voiced "yes" or "good".

I'm better with a verbal marker too.

The clicker makes a unique sound, though, and doesn't vary in tone or volume.

Still, I like my "yes!"

I did use the clicker for a while because I was working with another dog whose owner wanted to use it, and it was fine. I also tried it with one of my own dogs and found (and was surprised!) that there was no problem with having two markers or changing from one to the other (as long as you properly load each), so (to the O.P.) don't feel compelled to make a forever engraved-in-stone decision.

I would get the basics down, practice getting the reward out in front of a mirror without signaling it, and then load the marker and do a simple command.

Luring the dog into a sit and marking (once) when the butt hits the floor, then giving the excellent reward, is nice and easy and fun. You will probably find that your dog will start offering the behavior.

Start with a hungry dog and great (but tiny) rewards, and I can guarantee that you will have some success right away.

There are several threads here on simple marker work. I meant to look for one last night about loose-leash walking. I'll try to link you to some a bit later.

I may not explain what I'm trying to very well because I'm struggling with not making wise cracks about out of control upper female anatomies. But the two things I've found a clicker helpful with were the dumbell and articles because I wanted him to be focused on the object and not my voice or body language. ( body language, that was close.)Other then those I like the verbal marker. It just seems to be a little more natural with me.

Personally (and I'm NO expert) I like to use my voice "yes!". I really prefer that my dog respond to the unique sound of MY voice, and not a clicker (which anyone else could use w/my dog). Call me crazy, but I want my dog interested in me and my voice - just seems to be more personal (I want my dog to associate my voice w/the coming reward). Just my 2 cents. Plus, there are lots of times I'm juggling a dog, kid (stroller) treats, etc. I need another item to deal w/like a hole in the head.

 Quote: steve strom

I'm struggling with not making wise cracks about out of control upper female anatomies.Other then those I like the verbal marker. It just seems to be a little more natural with me.

Shame on you Steve; I expected more ! It is more natural for me too; using a verbal cue. In other words I am a Klutz (notice the capital "K") My cue is not a word, I click my tongue against the roof of my mouth.

Megan, you are going to love marker training especially with such an eager partner.

I too have an over zealous reward receiver, when I started marker trainer I dropped the treat, it took jumping on me out of the mix and saved all my anatomy .

The sad thing is there isn't all that much there for me to lose!

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

I'm going to try the verbal marker cues, b/c I too need another item to deal with like a hole in the head! Alyssa: I really like how you explained what you do, and the commands you use. I'm going to try that when I start.

Should I re-train the basics, like sit, down, etc., with the marker?

So, I ask for command, dog does it, I say "yes", then reward. Right? For the sit until I say otherwise, when do you mark and reaward?

Sheilia, when you dropped the treat for marker training did it make the dog lose focus on you? Where there any adverse side effects to doing it this way?

Has anyone else had an over zealous award receiver? I'd love to hear what you did to solve your problems!

Review of known commands seems to be a great way to load the marker.

In the beginning of marker training, you reward every time you mark. I wouldn't try stay as a beginning item. You want to mark the instant you get the behavior asked for, and stay is not an insantatious command.

After you've been working with marker training for a bit, you can delay the mark after you get the behavior to prolong the behavior. You can also phase out the treats to a random/variable reward schedule, and mark correct behavior at multiple points in a longer sequence.

 Quote: meganmccallister

The sad thing is there isn't all that much there for me to lose!

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

I'm going to try the verbal marker cues, b/c I too need another item to deal with like a hole in the head! Alyssa: I really like how you explained what you do, and the commands you use. I'm going to try that when I start.

Should I re-train the basics, like sit, down, etc., with the marker?

So, I ask for command, dog does it, I say "yes", then reward. Right? For the sit until I say otherwise, when do you mark and reaward?

Sheilia, when you dropped the treat for marker training did it make the dog lose focus on you? Where there any adverse side effects to doing it this way?

Has anyone else had an over zealous award receiver? I'd love to hear what you did to solve your problems!

Yes, retrain the basics. It will be fast and fun and satisfying.

I agree with not making stay one of your first commands while you learn marker training.

You can load your marker, in fact, for nothing. Nice easy first exercise: Just "yes" and then reward.

I phase out the food rewards very gradually, personally. When the exercise is just how I want it, has been named, and has been proofed for distraction as well as venues, then I might go from 100% tangible reward to 80% and so on, until finally I am rewarding only randomly.

I don't give an empty marker. I want to keep that marker for the meaning of "reward coming." So as I am weaning off the food rewards, I may say "good boy" or give a rub to the one who loves that (not to the one who does not care for petting). Your dog will show you his currency if you observe.

For now I would stick with the ease and promptness of small bites of excellent food.

"Sit." Butt hits ground. "Yes!" Reward. Extend the time of the marker very gradually after you have the reliable sit and the way you want it.

 Quote: Sheila Buckley

... Shame on you Steve; I expected more !

Really? I didn't!





JK.