Marker Signals: How to communicate clearly with your dog

One of the first and most important skills we can teach our dogs is how to understand human communication. Before asking for complex behaviours, we need to make sure the dog understands what our words and signals actually mean.

This is where marker signals come in. A marker signal is a clear, consistent word or sound that tells the dog in the moment whether a choice they’ve made is working or not.

Markers remove guesswork. They tell the dog either:

Yes, do more of that

No, that choice won’t work, try something else

Using marker signals correctly sets the foundation for calmer, more confident dogs and much smoother training sessions.

Reward Markers: Let Your Dog Know What Works

A reward marker is a signal that tells your dog that the behaviour they just offered is exactly what you want to see.

Some examples of behaviours you might mark include:

Looking at another dog without reacting

Choosing to disengage from a trigger

Walking calmly on a loose lead

Moving with a soft body around an exciting environment

Reward markers are sometimes called bridge signals because they bridge the gap between the behaviour and the reinforcement, which is usually food.

Reinforcement works by giving the dog access to something they value. Behaviours that are reinforced become more likely to happen again and more often.

Teaching a Reward Marker

You teach a marker by pairing it with food. Say your marker, then immediately deliver a treat. Do this repeatedly until the marker itself becomes meaningful and predicts something good is coming.

The correct sequence is always:

Marker, then reach for the food, then deliver the food

The marker must come before the food. If the food comes first, the association becomes unclear and the marker loses value.

Functional Example: Marking Disengagement

Here’s an example that works in real-life situations:

Your dog notices another dog ahead

They pause and look without reacting

Use your marker at the moment their body softens or gaze disengages

Reach for the reinforcement

Deliver the reinforcement using the appropriate reward marker

Examples of reward markers for this situation:

Yes for food delivered calmly to the mouth, ideal for precision and close work

Catch for food tossed toward the mouth, adding engagement and energy

Get it for food tossed onto the ground, encouraging movement away, reducing tension, or supporting distance-increasing choices

The marker tells the dog exactly which choice worked, not just that something good happened.

What Counts as Markable Behaviour

You do not need perfection. You can mark small, meaningful choices like:

A pause

A head turn

A weight shift away

Softer body posture

Choosing to move away instead of forward

If the dog is offering a better choice than they would have before, it is markable. This helps sensitive dogs feel successful and builds confidence.

Timing Matters

Markers should happen within half a second of the behaviour. The marker must occur at the exact moment the choice is made, before the dog escalates or changes behaviour again.

If you hesitate thinking “Was that worth marking?” you are already too late. Quick, decisive marking is key to clear communication.

The “No” Marker: Clear Boundaries

Alongside reward markers, it is helpful to use a “no” marker to indicate when a behaviour will not be reinforced.

This is technically a form of punishment in learning theory terms because it reduces the likelihood of a behaviour continuing. That does not mean it needs to be harsh, frightening, or physical. Calm, proportionate interruptions provide clear communication and fair boundaries, rather than fear or confusion.

Examples of “no” markers include:

No

Nope

Ah-ah

The meaning is always: “That choice will not get you what you want. Try something else.”

How to Use the “No” Marker

The “no” marker should be calm, neutral, and brief. Avoid repeating it multiple times.

It may be paired with low-level, momentary information such as:

Gentle tactile touch on the flank or chest

Slight, brief lead pressure

Blocking access to a direction or resource

These inputs are mild, short, and immediately released. They are not designed to scare or intimidate the dog. They simply interrupt the current choice and close that option.

As soon as the dog offers an alternative behaviour - stepping away, disengaging, or checking in - immediately switch back to a reward marker.

This creates a clear learning pattern: “That didn’t work. This does.”

Marker Ratios: Keeping it Fair and Effective

Reward markers should vastly outnumber “no” markers. Aim for at least five to ten rewards for every interruption.

If you find yourself using the “no” marker frequently, it may indicate that the situation is too hard, the dog is over threshold, or the environment needs adjusting.

This keeps training fair, manageable, and effective, especially for sensitive or reactive dogs.

Choosing Your Marker Signals

Reward markers can be:

Yes

Yep

Nice

A tongue click

A hand-held clicker

For households with multiple dogs, it may help to use different markers per dog or pair the marker with the dog’s name, for example, “Jess, yes!”

Avoid words you use constantly in conversation. The goal is clarity, consistency, and reliability.

Summary

Marker signals make learning clear, predictable, calm, and ethical.

Reward markers tell your dog what works.

“No” markers tell your dog what will not work.

Together, they create a communication system where dogs can make safe choices, learn quickly, and feel confident. For sensitive and reactive dogs, clear markers reduce guesswork, help them regulate their emotions, and strengthen the bond between dog and human.