07/30/2026
Newbie in Dog Training Concept 1- YES!
How do you communicate with your dog?
Markers in dog training help establish a clear consistent basis of communication. This is based off Pavlov's study realizing a certain noise followed by a certain behavior consequences become predictable to the dog. At Paws from Heaven we use the word YES for our positive marker and NO as our correction marker. Today we will go over how to introduce the positive YES or YEP marker and why it is important in any training system.
To let the dog know the choice they made is the right choice
To create new behaviors through behavior approximation
To reward good engagement with the handler
To reinforce and promote speed and commitment to a task
When we introduce a reward marker, we usually introduce it in the context of food. Have some food in pocket . Say YES in a slightly higher fun tone of voice and then grab a few pieces and deliver the reward to the dog. You can do this a few times then will quickly to progressing the marker to a food luring behavior since dogs are movement based animals and love to chase things.
Put some food in your hand and have the dog follow it for a second or two mark YES and pay. This will reward the behavior of chasing the food. You will want to make sure to lure and reward with both hands otherwise your pup might just stare at one of your hands!
Typically, I will Mark and reward eye contact as well since this builds a basis of engagement and getting the dog used to looking up at your face.
Once you have a basic marker loaded and lure there is no behavior you cant teach using this marker system through the concept of waypoints which we will go over at another time. Make sure some of your rewards are static and some dynamic keeping the learning fun for you and your pup!
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