The Magic of the Marker Word

Yes, Good, or Click?

Let me tell you something about dog training: the real magic isn’t in the fancy collars, the online masterclasses, or the overpriced bag of salmon jerky that smells like low tide in July.
It’s in one little word. Or sound.

That, my friends, is your marker.

If you’ve ever watched a magic trick, you know that timing is everything. The magician says, “Abracadabra,” waves their wand, and—poof—the rabbit appears. The “Abracadabra” isn’t doing the magic, but it tells you, “This is the moment you should pay attention.”

A marker word works the same way for your dog.

What’s a Marker Word?

A marker word is a short, snappy sound that tells your dog, “That’s it! That’s exactly what I wanted!” It bridges the tiny gap between your dog’s good behavior and the treat you’re about to hand over. Think of it as a snapshot—you’re capturing that exact moment so your dog knows what they did right.

Common examples:

• “Yes!” – Crisp, clear, and enthusiastic.

• “Good!” – Gentle and encouraging.

• Clicker sound – The classic. Precise, consistent, and beloved by dog trainers everywhere (and by the dogs who know it means snacks).

Timing: The Heart of the Magic

Here’s the thing—dogs live in the moment. Not in the “I’ll call you next Tuesday” kind of way, but in the “I sat down two seconds ago, why haven’t you noticed?” kind of way.

If you wait too long to mark the behavior, your dog won’t connect the dots.
Example:

• Dog sits.

• You dig through your pocket for a treat, get distracted by your phone, then say “Yes.”

• Your dog is now sniffing the couch cushion and wondering if you’ve lost your mind.

You’ve got about a second to mark the behavior. That’s it. Miss that window, and you might as well be complimenting them for breathing.

Consistency: Don’t Be a Shape-Shifter

Dogs love patterns. If you use “Yes” on Monday, “Nice” on Tuesday, and “Banana” on Wednesday, your dog’s going to have questions. And they won’t be about training—they’ll be about whether you’ve started talking in code.

Pick your marker word (or clicker sound) and stick to it. That way, your dog knows exactly what it means every single time.

Tone: The Secret Sauce

You could say “Yes” like you’re announcing a surprise birthday party, or you could say it like you’ve just realized you left the oven on.
Guess which one your dog prefers?

Your tone should be happy, quick, and unmistakably positive. Dogs are emotional detectives—they can read your feelings faster than you can say “fetch.” If you sound flat or distracted, your dog won’t get that rush of “I did it!” excitement.

The Marker Isn’t the Reward

This is important: the marker word is not the treat. It’s the promise of the treat.
If you mark a behavior but then forget to reward it, you’re breaking the magic spell. And your dog will notice. You don’t have to hand over a filet mignon—sometimes a bit of kibble or a quick game works just fine—but you do have to follow through.

Why It Works (Even If You’re Not a Pro Trainer)

Marker training isn’t just for obedience competitions or service dog schools. It works in everyday life:

• House manners: Mark the moment they keep all four paws on the floor instead of jumping on guests.

• Leash walking: Mark when they glance back at you instead of chasing that squirrel.

• Tricks: From “shake” to “spin,” a marker word makes learning faster and less confusing.

It’s basically a way of saying, “Yes, that thing you just did—lock it in!”

Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Marking too late – Practice marking before you train. Even try it while watching TV. The moment an actor blinks, say “Yes!” This builds your reaction speed. (Also, your family will think you’ve gone a little strange. That’s okay.)

2. Marking the wrong behavior – Be careful. If you say “Yes!” just as your dog jumps up after sitting, you’ve marked the jump, not the sit.

3. Forgetting the reward – A marker with no follow-up is like ordering pizza and then the delivery guy drives past your house.

My House Rules for Marker Words

After training three Shelties, here’s what I’ve learned:

• Cricket likes “Yes!”—short, snappy, and efficient, like she’s running a science experiment.

• Biscuit prefers “Good!”—probably because it sounds like praise she can bask in for hours.

• Kevin? I could probably say “Banana” and he’d still wag like I just offered him the deed to the house.

Final Thoughts

The marker word is one of the simplest, cheapest, most effective tools in dog training. No batteries, no apps, no complicated setups—just a sound, a smile, and a little bit of perfect timing.

Think of it as the “abracadabra” in your everyday training magic. Use it well, and your dog will learn faster, feel more confident, and—most importantly—be ready to give you that “I nailed it!” tail wag you’ll never get tired of seeing.

Now if you’ll excuse me, Biscuit is staring at me like she’s waiting for me to say “Yes.”
Either she wants to train… or she’s holding me hostage for snacks.

Question from Laura M. : This question is for Biscuit. Why is it important for dogs to get enough exercise every day?

Biscuit: Exercise keeps dogs fit enough to maintain global squirrel surveillance. If we stop moving, squirrels win. You think untrained, out-of-shape dogs can handle that level of chaos? I think not. And no one—no one—wants to live under squirrel rule.

Every episode, Biscuit, Cricket or Kevin (you choose) will comment on one short message or question from a reader. Feel free to send in a photo if you’d like. We might be able to use it! So think of a good one and send all questions and comments to [email protected]

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A Final Note

Until next time,

The Dad, the Mom and all the Pups!