Clicker vs Marker

This morning, we are discussing about the benefits of marker training as compared to clicker training. Of course, we are a bit biased as we use marker training. And technically, clicker training is a form of marker training, using the clicker as a marker for positive actions from the dog.

In our views, marker training gives us the flexibility. For example, we have 3 commands "no", "good" and "okay", and "okay" is the only command which has a reward, be it food or game. "Good" is telling the dog that this is the desired action, continue it, and soon you will get an "okay". This is nice, because we remove the gray area. For example, when we get the dog to sit. Upon sitting, we say "good" and the dog continues to sit waiting for the reward. If the dog moves, "no" command tells the dog this is not desired and we tell the dog to sit again... if the dog sits - "good" .. and upon the desired time, we say "okay" and follows by the reward. Whereas, in the clicker training, the dog sits, the handler clicks and rewards. In training longer sits, the dog sits, waits for the click, but did not get it. The dog moves, and he gets a no... this is the gray area! The dog now may not understand the he is supposed to sit longer. In his mind, he has performed the action sit, and he doesn't understand why he doesn't get the click... Some dogs may get confused and try other "tricks" such as down, stand, bark etc to get he click and reward.

Thus, this is one of the main reasons for using verbal marker training instead of clickers. The other reason is having to juggle with some much items on the hand - tug, food, clicker, leash etc. With so many items on hand, marking the desired action with a clicker at the right moment may not be the easiest.