Marker training is something I'm relatively new to, but feel that it is probably one of the best ways of communicating with your dog when you are training that there is. Marker training is when you capture a specific point in time that your dog is doing a specific action, and reward the dog immediately after, usually with a treat. Clicker training is an example.

There are several techniques that are used in marker training. One technique is called 'capturing.' Capturing is when you do not ask the dog to do anything; you simply wait for him to do it on his own, without any help or cues from you, and then mark and reward. For example, if you wanted to teach a dog to sit using this method, you would simply have the clicker and treats with you at all times, and every time the dog sat, you would click and treat. Soon, the dog would be offering sits all the time, in order to get you to click and treat. Then, you would start introducing the sit command as the dog sat, just before his butt hit the floor, and after several repetitions, you would then tell the dog to sit before he did it on his own, and he should do it, in order to earn the click and treat!


Another method involves the use of a food lure (not a bribe!!) to get the dog to assume the position you would like, and then marking the precise moment when he is in that position. For example, if you were teaching your dog to come to heel position, you might use a treat to lure him into position by your left leg, and as soon as he got there, you would click and let him have the treat. Soon, he would no longer need the lure, and would be doing his best to stay 'glued' to your left leg because that's where he got rewarded! That's when you would introduce the verbal command.



Marker training allows you to communicate to the dog exactly when he is correct. It's like taking a snapshot. The click (or whatever you are using as your marker - it can be a snap of your fingers; a short, crisp word; or any sound, really) marks the behavior, so it doesn't matter what the dog does after the click. That means you don't have to worry about getting the treat to him before he breaks position. He knows the treat is coming when he hears the marker, and after a few repetitions, he begins to learn what action results in the click. Marker training can take a little longer than 'traditional' yank and snatch training sometimes, but the results speak for themselves, and marker training makes a thinking, problem solving dog instead of a mindless robot!

It does happen that way occasionally, but for the most part, Departments want dogs that at least have had some foundation work and training.

Marker training can be used with ANY dog that has drive for food and/or a toy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnJvzI3pKvQ

I started this session a little closer to the hat than we've been, because instead of holding the treats and her having to come all the way back to me after the click, I started putting the treats on the hat. It really seemed to make her more excited about playing the game. I also introduced pointing towards the hat while saying 'touch.'

I'm thinking about switching to a blue mat instead of a hat, because more than likely, that's what I'll be using when we progress to the yard and then finally the Schutzhund field. This exercise, I'm hoping, is going to end up being the send away and down at a distance.


I didn't realize how 'in the middle of things' my Gypsy girl was until I watched the video. She knows all about the clicker, so I'm betting she's wondering where HER treats are! Next time I'll put her in the bedroom.

Oh dear, I cannot find the video, I was too slow! Sorry!!

hexie

It's a couple of posts up, Hexie.


I'm uploading the most recent one right now. I did it earlier this morning, but for some reason when it finally finished, the sound was not right, so I had to delete and try again. I'm using a mat now, and a little different method, that hopefully will transition to the actual exercise a little easier than what I was doing before. I'll post the link to it as soon as it's done.

A very good video....one question are the items you use, do they have to be any certain color? I mean are they trained to respond to certain colors?

Eileen

Nahh, color makes no difference, though dogs CAN see certain colors better than others, like blue. That's one reason I got a blue mat to start using. They have a limited range of actual colors that they can discern. I know my aunt's Golden Retriever has a hard time seeing the green ball that she bought him, but he has an identical one in blue that he has absolutely no problems seeing.

You can actually teach your dog what the colors mean, pretty much the same way they learn the names of different toys.

I'm still having a time with this video. It plays fine from my desktop, but when I upload it to YouTube, the sound is almost a minute behind.

Take your time, we can wait....

Eileen

Gimme the new link Kristen! I really want to see your dog working!

Much love, hexie

Strange thing but none of my Schnauzers ever had problems with colour but Hagar is the only one that 'picks out' what I ask him!!!!!!!!
Hetty does'nt care about toys and never has.
Dex (my Mini) loved stockings or tights, took them off the washing line!
Henry preserved his 'toys' for Hagar!

You must know this, I asked Henry to pick a pup from out of ten....... he picked Hagar!
He picked the right one!

I do not compare Hagar with Henry........ two different dogs but........... it shakes me.. how much like Henry Hagar is becoming! He does it all by himself!

Without Henry I wouldn't be alive today (long story but to with Aspergers) and without Hagar I wouldn't feel as safe today. Being deaf I depend on my dogs. Hetty, now when she barks I sit up! Funny thing is, nowadays she has 'accepted' Hagar and when he barkls she will woof in support. So now I got two dogs...... one barks.. the other woofs........ it's quite funny.......... Hagar barks.... Hetty woofs......... but they make sense!!

Had as nostalgioc say about my dogs.....

hexie