My new "Training With Markers" DVD arrived yesterday and I excitedly sat down to watch and learn. Falcon, our 5 mo. old GS was contentedly laying on the floor in front of me. Often when watching my other Leerburg DVD's Falcon will sound the alarm when he hears one of the dogs on the video barking, so I've learned to keep my finger on the "mute" button in an attempt to circumvent his participation... In any case, when the video got to the point where Ed is looking into the camera and giving an example of how to say the "YES!" marker, Falcon's head shot up to the TV, he cocked his head and the tip of his tail wagged the tiniest bit. (I had started "charging the mark" with him prior to getting the DVD so he has become excited when hearing "YES!") Every so often, Falcon would look up when Ed was talking and either just cock his head or watch for a moment... very cute. Later in the DVD the first segment comes on where Cindy is working with one of the dogs. The MOMENT Cindy began speaking, Falcon flew up, hackles up all along his back and he began BARKING, Barking, barking like all hell was breaking loose. I was able to redirect his attention and get him settled down again after a moment or two. From there on out, any time he heard Cindy's voice he would either bark or do this funny "growl/rumble" down in his throat. Later last night when my husband got home we watched the DVD together, and of course I was interested to see what Falcon would do this time around. He did the EXACT same thing; looked at Ed, cocked his head and wagged his tail when he said "YES!", and then barked like he had to save the world the rest of the DVD when ever he heard Cindy! Needless to say, this made it a bit difficult to watch and listen to the DVD, but since I haven't taught "quiet" yet, I figured it was best to ignore it instead of giving the behavior even negative attention. Falcon eventually got tired of trying to save the world, but it was much, much later in the video. (We have decided to get a DVD player to use on another TV in another room so we can watch the videos in peace...) I think Cindy's voice is fine and have no idea what bothers Falcon about it! :-)

By the way... Can the marker method be used to stop a negative behavior, or will saying "yes" and giving a treat when he stops barking only encourage him to bark to get another treat??