How We Condition Markers (And Why That Matters)

Dog training is not about saying “Good” randomly.

Markers are tools — and when conditioned properly, they become powerful communication bridges.

We use:

• “Good” (Continuation Marker)

• “Yes” (Terminal Marker)

• “No” (Negative Marker)

Each has a distinct meaning.

Markers Capture the Moment

Dogs learn in very small windows of time.

When conditioned correctly, a marker:

• Identifies the exact moment behavior occurs

• Extends your influence

• Builds emotional association

• Increases clarity

But markers must be backed up.

If “Good” doesn’t consistently lead to reward, it loses value.

If “No” isn’t followed by consequence, it becomes background noise.

Why We Condition Hundreds of Repetitions

In Board & Train, we condition markers repeatedly before layering complexity.

We don’t assume your dog understands communication.

We build it.

That foundation allows every future behavior to be learned faster and more reliably.