I have just finished watching The Power of Training Dogs with Markers, have read the ebook and Q&A's. I will be starting The Power of Training Dogs with Food soon. I have a burning question I can't seem to find answered anywhere.

I have worked with different trainers, and have been using the philosphy "when you tell a dog to do something (ie. sit) he is to do it until you release him." My current method of training:
"Sit" (dog sits, and immediately upon his butt hitting the ground "Yes!" (possible reward. Dog does not get up until I say "Break!" (ok to get up, exercise is complete, and will move on to next training exercise.)In the past he has received a correction for getting up before the release word comes.

I would like to "start over" with marker training, but at the same time, not confuse my dog with previous work we've done. Will it be possible to use "yes" as a mark/ release, if I've already used it in the manner described above? Should I use a clicker instead and start over? I like the idea of using my voice and not fussing with a clicker. I also have always liked him sitting until the release, but from my understanding, part of the power of marker training revolves around the mark/ release.

I guess what I'm asking is how do I go about transitioning, or do I not transition and just meld what I've already done with marker training? Am I complicating things?

I would choose a different word. Choose one that you won't be using inadvertently during training (which is kind of an individual thing). Example: If "yup" sounds quite different from "yes" when you say it, then "yup" can work. So can "good," but many people use it so often already that it's not distinctive enough.

Yes, I would start over.

It's important to remember that duration is introduced very gradually.

("In the past he has received a correction for getting up before the release word comes" is no longer part of the M.O. )

All JMO! Lots of marker folks here to help.

I agree with Connie and want to suggest that it might be less confusing to begin marker training with a NEW behavior you haven't introduced yet (after charging the mark.)

Once you have trained one or two new behaviors with marker training and without any corrections for non-compliance other than the "nope" and no reward, you could then begin using it to perfect/reinforce behaviors already learned, with probably no or very little "confusion".

Just a thought and hope it helps!

They catch on very quickly to this system...

Ditto with Connie and Barbara!
I will add that if your going to use the marker for a release then it will take care of itself in time.
You said the dog stays in position till you give a release word.
NOT correcting for it breaking the sit, etc will eventually extinguish the uncalled for stay. The duration of the stay is worked on independently from the sit, down, etc.
My own experience;
I have no problem with the dog moving after the mark.(I use "yes")
That yes also tells the dog that the game is continuing.
"OK" means game over.
Fetch, for example;
I toss the stick and mark randomly. Sometimes for the run out to the stick, sometimes for the pickup, turn, return, etc
With that marker the dog will continue playing the game (cause he's a natural retriever)
IF I give an "OK" at any time in the sequence the dog then knows he can take the stick away and chew on it if he wants. He doesn't have to bring it back, although he usually does if he wants to keep playing. I'm done when I give the "OK". I simply quit playing the game because I made the rules.
"yes" and "OK" are marker/releases of sorts. Just each has a different meaning.

That all makes a lot of sense. I bought a clicker today and decided to try training with that first, so I can think of my new word. I may try after awhile to use "yes" to phase out the clicker and see if it'll seemlessly transition. If any problems, I'll use a different word.

Great idea to begin training with things he's not already accustomed to (ie. sit/down w/stay). Eventually extinguising the uncalled for sit/stay, etc, is a reassuring thought.

Honestly, I never thought I'd be so excited to train my dog! Seeing the enthusiasm of the dogs in the videos is inspiring.

 Quote: stephanie biros

That all makes a lot of sense. I bought a clicker today and decided to try training with that first, so I can think of my new word.

Honestly, I never thought I'd be so excited to train my dog! Seeing the enthusiasm of the dogs in the videos is inspiring.

I thought the same thing... One thing I REALLY like about using a word other than a clicker is that you have two hands to work with Before I came here I didn't see how it was possible to train with clicker/ marker training cause using the clicker was hard for me... Course it may be different for others.