Last week, I did a webinar for Animal Training Academy about the topic of multiple markers. (The webinar replay is available for ATA members on the Animal Training Academy website.)
Positive reinforcement trainers often use a clicker as a marker. However, many other types of auditory and visual signals can also be used effectively as markers.
Trainers often think of markers as “yes” signals. The marker tells the animal, “Yes! You did the right behavior.” By delivering the click at the right time, the trainer can highlight a certain behavior that the trainer wants to reinforce.
However, marker signals are also cues!
That’s the big idea that we discussed for almost two hours during the webinar.
A marker may inadvertently become a cue, even if the trainer didn’t mean for it to be a cue. For example, when the trainer clicks, the animal might shift their gaze downward, looking at the trainer’s hand and anticipating that the trainer is about to reach for a treat.
A marker may also inadvertently become a cue for an unwanted behavior. For example, when a trainer clicks, their dog may start whining.
However, we can also purposefully, deliberately teach our markers as cues. In this way, the marker starts the reinforcement system and signals to the animal what behavior they should do next.
Check out the following video clip of Chewie and I practicing one of our reinforcement systems.
In this reinforcement system, I’m using a tongue click as my marker signal. I’m also feeding treats in a raised rubber bowl.
As you watch, ask yourself, “In this context, the click is a cue for what behavior?”
This was such a useful way to think about markers. I had always understood the click as simply saying “yes,” but the idea that it can also cue the next behaviour makes the entire training sequence much clearer. Chewie moving towards the raised bowl demonstrated the concept beautifully.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Athulya. I’m glad you found the video useful to watch!