Cue and marker: before and after the behaviour

Identify the sequence

APDT’s clicker explanation describes marking a desired moment with a sound, word or action. In a clear training note, record the request, the behaviour, the marker and what followed. A click is not automatically the same thing as asking for a sit, and adding more sounds does not necessarily make the sequence clearer.

A simple example

Imagine a handler asking for a familiar nose touch, marking the touch and then delivering the planned reward. The cue belongs before the response and the marker points to the event being reinforced. This example explains vocabulary rather than prescribing a full training session. An instructor can check timing and whether the dog understands the actual signals.

Ask before interpreting a whistle

In working-dog footage, a sound may be a direction cue, recall, marker or something else. Confirm the handler’s vocabulary rather than assigning a standard meaning from pitch alone. Keep learning manageable and reward-based. A short clip rarely establishes that a dog ignored a cue if the intended signal and complete sequence are unknown.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• APDT Australia — clicker training and marker signals (opens in a new tab)

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