Dog Training | Continuation Marker vs The Terminal Marker - Episode 3
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
- This video will give you a better understanding of how and when to use a marker.
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Mark or Marker (Conditioned-Reinforcers): This is a word or sound that predicts either a reward or a correction.
Your communication channels to your dog (markers or conditioned-reinforcers):
a. Continuation Marker: This sound lets your dog know they are correct, and you will be delivering a reward to them.
b. Terminal Marker: This lets your dog know they are correct, and they may come to you to get the reward. It is a release word that always predicts that a reward is about to be given.
Thanks for watching, and subscribe for new dog training videos weekly!
Check out my show on ANIMAL PLANET: Rescue Dog to Super Dog
Next weeks video: How to know which marker to use.
Future videos:
• How to properly space rewards.
• The four quadrants of operate conditioning.
• What is a self-reinforcing behavior?
• What causes our dogs to repeat behaviors?
• How long should I train my dog?
• Formal vs informal commands.
• Preparing your training environment
• Setting up your dogs training food for the day.
• Proper food handling
• How to load a marker / engagement training
• Fixed and free shaping
• Reward placement
• Luring and chasing
• Power-ups
• One command per behavior
• Shaping behaviors
• Teaching and understanding leash pressure
• How to name your dog training commands
• Release word
• Drop it command
• Come when called
• Crate command
• Climb and off command
• How to teach your dog to sit on command
• How to teach your dog to down on command
• How to teach your dog to stand on command
• How to teach your dog to stay
• How to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash
• How to teach your dog to automatically sit when halted
• The random sits and down game
• How to teach your dog to play fetch
• How to get your dog into the car
• How to teach your dog to swim and to get out of a pool
• How to Introducing two dogs
• How to potty train your puppy or dog
• How to teach your dog to signal to go outside
• Confidence building
• What is counter conditioning or re-conditioning
• How to introduce your new puppy to your house
• Walking through doorways
• Teach your dog to properly meet new people
• How to fix behavioral problems
• How to stop puppy biting
• How to stop your dog from getting into the trash
• How to prevent resource guarding
• How to teach sit, down, and stand in motion
• How to teach the place command
• How to teach the center command
• How to teach your dog to walk backwards
• How to teach your dog commands from a distance
• How to teach your dog a down on recall
• How to teach the flip and by finish
• How to teach your dog a send out command
• How to teach your dog the stand for exam exercise (AKC)
• How to teach your dog AKC hand signals
• How to teach the around command and problem solving games
• How to start teaching a focused heel
• How to develop the focused heel
• How to teach the backwards follow exercise to your dog
• How to teach your dog strong eye contact in heel position
• How to teach the backwards follow into heel
• How to solidify the heel position
• How to use the spiral technique
• How to teach your dog a right about turn
• How to teach your dog a left about turn
• How to teach your dog figure 8 heeling
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Yeah my dog used to think when I said good means gets the treat but now it understood and doesn’t move to come get the treat when I said yes!!!
Good you thought of this also.
I just found you! You showed up on my feed and now I’m hooked.
Yay! Awesome. Thank you for watching and commenting. :)
Ahhh yes thank you for explaining this!!
I am learning on dog training thanks to you, again, much appreciated Nate, best vibes your way, wishing you the best!!
Hey boss thx so much u our so motivating. I havent purchased the dog i want uet but iam stuck watching all ur videos. Just wanted to say thank u 🙏 and keep kicking these video's out #thankful
Best trainer ever ♥️♥️ love you teacher
Thanks again! :)
1:40 Yeah I used to do that saying stay stay but not anymore. Now down means down stay.
Thank you
Best explanation on youtube!
You’re a great teacher
Thank you so much, I appreciate that! :)
Thank you for explaining the difference between the terminal and continuous markers. Before watching this video, I only knew about the continuous marker (though not exactly continuous, because I just rewarded it happening, not holding it). It was helpful to hear more about the terminal marker. I have a 5 month rescue puppy and plan on starting to incorporate both. I look forward to seeing some videos where these are in action as I continue the series!
Glad it was helpful! :)
Thank u for taking your time in observing to start with thats a great thing to do in everything important to any human..
And i really appreciate ur effort for making this vedio
Lots of peace and blessing from sudan to u
Thanks! I'm happy you enjoyed the video. :)
Your videos are so good and helpful that I sometimes forget that I subscribed and I try to again.
Lol! Thank you, I appreciate that! :)
I’ve always used stay but this method makes much more sense. You really make it easy to understand. I re-watch your training videos over and over and often realise I’ve missed something. I think you are really training owners 🤣🤣
Thanks, I appreciate that! And I agree, I'm training the humans. :)
This is the best Video I have seen so far.
i feel understood, very easily and fully explained gives you the Feeling yes I can do it.
Thank you for the very useful and Motivational Video.
Thank you so much Dear Nath.😊
Awesome video! My puppy gets extremely excited with any food based training. Right when she hears the click she’ll jump out of a lie down for her reward. I wasn’t sure this was an issue until I saw this video!
I couldn’t find the info anywhere else. Looks like our clicker will be the terminal marker and I need to start teaching her a continuation marker. Thanks!
Yes, when I use a clicker I treat it as a terminal marker, then verbal praise when I want to work on duration. :)
Hey Nate ! You are a hero and my teacher:P
I started your basic obedience playlist (i am getting a GSD) and I was wondering if the continuation marker is the same as the Conditioning marker/clicker from last episode.
Thanks !!
Thanks! The sounds mean to our dogs what they predict.
• Conditioned Reinforcer (Mark / Marker): This is a word or sound that has been classically conditioned to predict a reward. It's called a marker because it signifies that you are marking a moment in time when your dog is right or wrong.
• Continuation Marker: This is a sound that lets the dog know they will be receiving a reward. Sound = Reward
• Terminal Marker: This is a sound that lets your dog know they will be receiving a reward, but it also guarantees a release. Sound = reward & release.
Thank u for explaining this so well ! Re the last thing you mention, about not rewarding voluntary actions, would you ever give a command just as the dog is doing a voluntary behaviour, so it learns to associate the command with the action ? I used this on my last dog, especially when training the 'poo' command ("hurry up !") as it seemed the only way to do that one ie. wait for him to 'go' then say the words. But would u do that with other behaviours like 'bed' , 'sit' , 'come' etc ? Aswell as structured sessions of course.
Hi Nate thanks for your videos they are very informative. So if the verbal command is inherently a stay command until a termination marker is given do you use the stay command at all? If so under what situation ?
Hi Nate!
I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your videos! I’ve watched the whole basic obedience playlist.
I’ve got a question concerning speed. How can I increase the speed of the behaviour. Because my dog executes every command but it’s reeeeaaaally slow.. iI wouldn’t say a snoozefest but it takes forever 😅, even though my movements are rapid 😂.
Do you think it might be because he’s still thinking about the movement to execute or just not highly motivated.
Thanks in advance for any information.
Oooh and happy new year!!
You can use leash pressure to speed up the behaviors.
Great Videos! The step by step process is Outstanding! Can you use one click for continuayion and two quick clicks for terminal?
Thank! I haven't personally tried it that way, but give it a shot and see if it works. If you want to see how I use a clicker, check out this video: th-cam.com/video/guoK28P43AE/w-d-xo.html
Hey Nate, 1st off thanks bro..you helped set me on the path to a well trained German Sheppard 😀..but I have one question? Can you 'Recondition' your dog after he's already conditioned to a clicker? Sorry if this was asked already..
I am so happy I found your channel. We brought home our 9 week old German Shepard last night and will be using your videos and techniques to train our new pup. I have a question on the continuation marker. Our pups name is “Gus”, which sounds a lot like “yes”. Would it be ok to use the yes marker or should we use a different word for the continuation marker. Any advice would be much appreciated!
First, thanks for supporting the channel and I'm happy it's proving to be helpful. If you're worried about it sounding too much like your dog's name then a different word for your marker could be a good option. the more distinct it is, the easier it will be for your dog to become conditioned to it. :)
so i’m a first time dog owner, i love the marker idea. I want to use a beep collar for the continuous marker and a voice command for the terminal marker. Are all beep collars the same tone? if not when i have to get a different beep collar with a different tone will the dog still react the same way with different tone
of sound? or will a clicker be more reliable?
Hello Nate: with a command that does not work with "stay" such as "SPIN" does it make sense to use the terminal marker rather than the continuation marker?
Hi Nate! Do you think a clicker is better to use as the continuation marker, or the terminal marker? Depending on that, what verbal word or sound do you think is best to use as the opposite marker?
Good afternoon Nate! First off thank you for all your videos that have definitely help me manage my new maligator puppy. I do have a question. I have been working on teaching my puppy sit and lay down. She focuses on my very well when it’s just her and I and is great with sit down and getting really good at lay down as well when right in front of my. I have been working the “yes” marker after she preforms the command and she does anticipate the reward after “yes”. What I have not been doing and where I messed up I think is not using a terminal marker (free) so as of right now there is no sir stay of lay stay. She just pops up and follows me. How do I start implementing terminal marker and start changing her to a sit stay. For context she is a 9 week old German malinois.
Great questions. You can start a climb/place stay pretty early, but I usually wait on all the other stays when training a dog. After I have established all my physical cues and the dog performs the behaviors the way I like, I start adding the commands. When I first start adding the commands, I stick with only using the terminal marker since I teach the implied stay. Meaning, if I tell a dog to sit, they are in a sit-stay unless I use the terminal marker, the release word, or a new command. This is why I use the terminal marker: I teach each thing separately. That is, I teach the commands separate from the stays. I don't start teaching the stay until the dog is responding to the verbal command alone. Additionally, I teach the stays away from the normal obedience training, since stays can be boring for a lot of dogs and I always want to keep the main training sessions fun and engaging.
As far as the markers go, people get confused by the terminology when it's much simpler to think about what they predict. A continuation marker just predicts a reward; it doesn't change the dog's circumstances. Meaning, if the dog is not in a stay when the marker is used, they remain free from the stay. If they are in a stay, they remain in the stay since it just means they will be receiving a reward. The terminal marker predicts release plus reward, so if they are in a stay (once we introduce the command), they are released from the stay as well as guaranteed a reward. The release word just guarantees a release, which is why it's a release word and not a release marker, since a marker must predict one of the four quadrants of operant conditioning.
I hope this helps!
Hey Nate. Tks for all your amazing vids!! I may have 3 markers. if im teaching a behavior and they preform it I will say yes. good is my continuation marker and break is my my terminal marker. should I just have yes as my terminal marker and try not to use break or just keep doing what I am doing? Tks for your time.
Good question. As long as you're being consistent with the markers you shouldn't have any issues. I have trainer friends that use two terminal markers.
1) Terminal Marker 1: Release & Reward
2) Terminal Marker 2: Release & go get your reward. (such as a toy left on the ground).
I plan on primarily clicker training. Should I also use a verbal mark with it? For example, if I do a continuation marker should I click and say yes and then when I do a terminal marker click and say release?
I would make the click the terminal marker and a different sound or word for the continuation marker, The click is such a distinct sound that it will be easier to have it mean only one thing. Lastly, you don't need to have both a continuation marker and terminal marker. I know a lot of trainers that have great success using only one marker and verbal feedback, such as "good dog" when they want the dog to stay. I hope this helps and thanks for the comment/question. :)
love your content, im getting a corgi puppy in a few days. at what age can i start teaching these markers and commands? is 8 weeks old too young?
I start training once the dog/puppy is comfortable in the new environment. If the pup us comfortable on day one, then you can start right away. Cheers!
Hi Nate, I have a dachshund named Zoey and I have a system somewhat set, i don't really give her rewards when I use my continuation marker and most of the time give the treats on my terminal marker. Watching your videos about building focus and engagement made me inspired and want to switch to your system. Do you think it is too late to have her adjust? She has been two months with me already and she is four months old. Will adjusting confuse my dog? Thank you! Congratulations on your good work and hope your channel reach a lot of dog households!
Thanks, Kenneth! I really appreciate that. Yes, you can adjust your training if you like and I don't think it will cause any issues. :)
To piggyback off of this I try to make it really exciting by using higher value rewards and high energy to recharge their respective battery. Keeps the dog engaged and loving to work!
Hi Nate, thank you very much for your very informative videos. I like your approach to training and videos compared to other TH-camrs. I have been watching your basic obedience training serie, and I am not sure how to teach my dog the continuation marker and terminal marker.
How do I train my dog so that it understands that the continuation marker means I will come to them to give the treat, versus the terminal marker which means they can come to me for the treat? Do I use leash pressure and luring to teach my dog to come to me when I use the terminal marker?
For example, my puppy is doing a behaviour that I like 6 ft away from me while attached to the leash, then I use my terminal marker "Free", do I pull the leash toward me slightly while luring with the treat, so that they understand "Free" means they can come to me for the treat?
As for the continuation marker, I stay close to them, make them look at me, then say "Yes" and give them the treat. But how do I teach the continuation marker while being far from them, so that they understand that they must stay there, and I must come to them to give the treat?
I hope my question is clear enough. Thank you!
Hi, Kim! I explain and demonstrate it in this video: th-cam.com/video/UkZ7ucpK9sc/w-d-xo.html
You give the best explanation of this of any TH-cam, dog training, publisher I am acquainted with.
In many regards my dog and I are needing lessons in your advanced training category, and many of those were nearly mastered prior to our making your acquaintance.
HOWEVER... this video covers a topic that I did not at all comprehend. I can now see that I have inadvertently created Much confusion for my poor puppy dog.
Over to last few days I have endeavored to watch myself to determine if I have ANY marker that I use exclusively for continuation and a different one I use exclusively for termination.
Sadly I have witnessed that each of my markers are used both ways 😢😜
After 2 1/2 years my patterns are deeply ingrained.
SOMEHOW!!! I need to take myself back to basics in this arena.
These are the markers I use, in the order I think I use them most frequently:
- a double click of my tongue (this is my hands-free version of the clicker device)
- thank you
- awesome
- yes
I suppose I do have a few release markers for crossing a threshold
- let’s go
- OK
- Lead
And when we are returning to the RV, our home, I do not want him to enter without my verbal consent…
- Load up (I also find myself using this with a taxi or a friends automobile)
Sounds like you have a great foundation. I'm happy the videos are helping. :)
Nate Schoemer
What black-and-white lessons would you suggest I embrace to train MYSELF to use this clear distinction? It can’t be tooooo basic or it’ll be boring, for both of us.
I just picked up some flashcards that are blank. I intend to custom create a routine using them. This way I won’t be relying on auto pilot, I’ll be relying on guidance I’m holding in my hands.
Hello Nate. I have a question, if you train your dog with treats and you later train him to bite will he only bite when you give him treats or if trained correctly will he not require treats?
I hope you will answer this and I hope I will make sense 😅… what if I tell her to sit 10ft away, but then she doesn’t stay seated by the time I get to her? Like she will sit, but as soon as I start walking to where she gets up. What do I do then? Thank you so much for your videos!!!!!
So if you use clicker training, how would you use these two methods? Would click = terminal and (what ever word) =continuation?
Thanks!
Yes, that's how I would do it. :)
1:52 I’m getting personally attacked here you’ll be hearing from my attorney 😂
These videos have transformed my training. I feel closer to my dog than I ever have. She's conditioned to all of the markers and is on fast pace to master the focused heel.
She is longboard trained (like a sled dog) and is gonna begin alpine training soon! Thanks for all of your help
Learning so much from you !!! Thanks a lot just 2 questions please
Should I keep with marker training when my dog jumps on me ? Or should I wait till my dog is calmly looking at me and Im introducing marker training to my dog should I do a bunch of yes and then a bunch of free or one yes one free ? Thanks a lot and keep it up
Just make sure you mark when your pup is either sitting and looking at you or standing with all four paws on the ground and looking at you. You can also work on stopping your pup from jumping to get the food. It's a simple trick. This exercise requires no talking; Slowly start to move your hand towards your dog with a treat. If your dog jumps up for the treat, then move your hand back. Once sitting again, slowly start to move your hand towards your puppy. Continue this until you can get your hand all the way to your puppy without them jumping up at your hand.
When I teach the terminal and continuation marker to the dog I'm training, I like to mix it up. sometimes I'll go back and forth between the two, sometimes I'll do one a few times in a row. Making it more random will make it more fun for the pup.
I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and supporting the channel. Cheers!
@@NateSchoemer really really appreciate
I'd love to see how to train an adult rescue who is overly friendly with everyone and every thing to focus better on the handler.
I want to train him as a PTSD service dog, but he just wont focus when people want to say hi to him. Hes a 60 some odd pound white bully mix, so he tends to scare some people when he pulls to go say hi. I've resorted to standing with him between my legs with a hand on his collar and my knees around his stomach, to keep him from choking himself trying to say hi (in a prong collar no less, he almost choked himself out on the slip lead I prefer to use)
Great question; here's one way to try to fix this issue. Make sure you're in a fenced yard or inside. It's a simple concept, have a room with lots of people in it and make sure everyone knows to ignore your dog, then let your dog roam free. Your dog is sure to run up to everyone to try and seek attention. Once your dog realizes that everyone is boring (because they are ignoring him), your dog will then come back to you. Once your dog comes back to you make sure you praise and reward him. Do this as many times as it takes to stop your dogs overly friendly behaviors. Don't worry, he'll still be friendly, but not to a point where you can't control him. Hopes this helps!
Awesome content as always Nate!!
Ok, I've been using the continuation marker differently...
"Yes!" is my terminal marker and means "you got it right, you're done with that and here is/come get/I'm bringing your treat."
What I've been calling a continuation marker is: "You're doing the right behavior and I want you to continue doing that" regardless of how I eventually release him/her.
Example is say, working on loose leash walking:
Dog is doing a nice job. I don't want to use terminal marker bcuz we need to continue. I want to praise the dog tho, so I say a long, calm "gooood" and reward in this case, with continuing to getting to walk forward. Similarly, if I want to teach dog to sit and stay I will give the cue to sit. Then use continuation marker "gooood" and go up and give a treat here and there while dog's still in position. Then use terminal marker.
Yikes- What am I doing right and what am I doing wrong here?! 🤯😆
TIA for your time if you have it!!
Thanks! The easiest way to look at the different words we use is by what they predict.
Continuation maker - Always predicts a reward.
Terminal maker - Always predicts a reward and release.
Verbal praise - Lets the dog know they are doing something correctly, but doesn't guarantee a reward and it doesn't predict a release. You can reward with a treat, but unlike a maker, it doesn't always guarantee the reward. It sounds like you may be using "good" in this manner. Where you reward sometimes, but not all the time. If that's the case, then that's fine as well. A lot of trainers use "good" that same way.
I hope this helps. Cheers!
@@NateSchoemer That HUGELY helps Nate!! The verbal praise without necessarily rewarding was that vague, in-between area for me and that totally clears that up!
And the reminder about the cue always being very specific to what it always predicts should be obvious, but for some reason the way you stated it really drives that home for me even more, so thanks a ton as always!!!
I'm using a clicker. How do you use a clicker for continuation and terminal markers? You can't just click for both cause that would be the same command?
I would use it as a terminal marker and then verbal praise if I'm working on a stay or a verbal marker for the continuation marker.
At what age/stage do you teach the difference between the two markers? Which do you start with new puppies?
Thanks for commenting and watching this video. Unfortunately, I no longer have enough time to answer every question in the comments section of my TH-cam videos. However, you can always send me questions through my Patreon. www.patreon.com/NateSchoemer
Most of the questions asked have already been answered in one of my past videos. The basic obedience series has been designed to be watched to maximize results. I would also suggest watching my Q&A videos that are available on my channel as well.
Many of the questions are also answered in my dog training manual, which is available on Amazon. amzn.to/2P2tyQH
Lastly, if you're curious about what food, treats, or training products that I use, you can see them listed here: www.nateschoemer.com/store
Thanks again, and happy training!
I’m training my dog to be a service dog for my PTSD, I’m currently using sign language and verbal commands, but am giving her more praise and preferring to use sign language. I know you said you only use verbal commands and I was wondering if there is any reason I shouldn’t teach her sign language, or is it just personal preference? Thank you so much!!
You can have physical or verbal commands. th-cam.com/video/tzKmb5ZpHyM/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the info! Are there other terminal markers besides “free” you have heard or liked?
Thanks! You can use any word that you like for the terminal marker. :)
I like to use “release”
I've seen other trainers using "good" as a continuation marker and "yes" as the terminal marker.
I read somewhere that continuation marker should not be treated? It should only lead up to the terminal marker+treat??
How do you train your dog the difference between break and free?
The terminal marker predicts release and reward. The release word only guarantees a release.
Is there a point that it is to late to add the “free” or terminal marker? I have a 4 month old German Shepherd and have only been using the “yes” marker.
You can start engagement training at any age. :)
Hey Nate, I am using this concept of different markers on an assignment i'm currently writing for uni. I am looking for the best most valid reference for this differentiation. Currently I have this video in as a reference however they encourage not using websites a lot. Do you have another source, from say a book or journal, I can research whether it be yours or someone else's? (ps I just realised I never replied to a reply of yours about self reinforcing behaviours on another video. Apologise. I couldn't formulate my response properly at the time and then forgot. Safe to say I understand your point of view on self reinforcing behaviours and I pretty much agree with it.) Thank you for any assistance.
Thanks again! I do discuss this in my dog training manual. I'm currently working on version 3. Hit me back up in a few weeks when it should be done and I'll email you a free copy. Cheers!
What treats/rewards do you recommend?
TREATS USED IN VIDEO: visionarypet.com/ Thanks for watching! :)
I’m gonna have to ask a follow-up question. I will continue to warm up each session with the engagement training, but when i go over to teach commands, should i use the markers even tho he isnt conditioned to the markers yet?
Yes, you can start using the markers doing luring training even if he's not fully conditioned yet, since you can get him the reward right after saying the marker. However, you couldn't use it in a situation like the one I demonstrate at 3:42 in this video: th-cam.com/video/uT3I3Xpwmeo/w-d-xo.html
@@NateSchoemer that is understandable! I will use the terminal marker for now
So if a dog just performs a freeshaped behavior is it a continuation or terminal marker? I noticed you said if your dog offers a sit and it wasn't a verbal command, you say yes, but there is no implied stay. This is confusing me because "yes" is your continuation marker (implied stay) so would it confuse the dog? Also, if I am waiting for eye contact, or use a hand signal is it continuation or terminal? Technically I did not give a verbal command. Thanks in advance, just want to make sure I am communicating as well as possible. Love, love, love your channel!
Here's a section from my manual that should help:
Firstly, there are the two positive types of markers: The first one is the continuation marker (I like to use the word “yes”). This is a word or sound that lets the dog know that they are correct and will be delivered a reward. It’s called a continuation marker because unlike the terminal marker, it doesn’t release the dog. Meaning, if your dog is in a command stay, you can use this marker without releasing the dog from the stay.
However, if your dog is not in a command stay, then this marker just means they’ll be rewarded. Therefore, this often confuses people because of the terminology “continuation”. This is why it’s easier to understand by what it predicts: A continuation marker predicts a reward. That’s it. It doesn’t change the circumstances, so if the dog is in a stay, they remain in the stay, and if the dog is not in a stay, then they remain free from the stay.
In contrast, we have the terminal markers (I like to use the word “free”). These release dogs from commanded positions as well as guaranteeing a reward. Ex.: If a dog was in a sitting position and you use your terminal marker, they are released from that position and will be given a reward (indicating the sit behavior is finished).
@@NateSchoemer very helpful, thank you so much 😊
I couldn't understand that last part about not rewarding or using the market unless I gave the command. Is this a general thing? Should I keep the use of these markers to training and not day to day stuff?
That can sound a little confusing. This should make it easier to understand.
Yes (Continuation marker) = Reward.
Free (Terminal marker) = Release and reward.
So if I tell my dog to sit with the verbal command "sit" and I say "yes" then my dog is in a sit-stay. They stay is implied and "yes" just means the dog is going to get a reward. Now, if I tell my dog to sit with the verbal command "sit" and I say "free" then my dog is not is a sit-stay. Since the free means release and reward. This means if my dog sit's because my dog wants to sit, not because I told the dog to sit, I can still mark with a "yes" and reward. Letting the dog know that I like when they sit. This helps with operant conditioning. Since I didn't say "sit" then the dog is not is a sit-stay. I hope that helps clear it up a little.
@@NateSchoemer yes, thank you! ❤️❤️
Is the continuation marker and conditioned reinforcer the same?
Yes. :)
Hey Nate! I have been working on markers on my now 10 week old puppy for about a week now. I dont see any clear signs of him being conditioned to them. I am fairly sure my timing is correct i am not pairing. Should i be expecting him to be conditioned or is it hard to tell on young dogs, or maybe just some dogs?
I wouldn't stress it too much. Before each training session, spend about a minute or so on engagement training. This will get the dog excited about the session, and it will continue to help him become conditioned to the markers, even it he's not fully conditioned yet. This way you can move forward in the training process.
@@NateSchoemer this is exactly what i have been doing so far! Sweet :)
Hi Nate Very cool videos Learning a lot from you I got a german shepherd puppy just 2 weeks ago and been following your channel for 5 months now(I'm literally taking notes) I'm confused with the markers The continuation marker and the terminal marker So, as a continuation marker I use Yes and I go to the dog and reward her with food or praise And I use Free as a terminal marker and I let the dog come to me for the reward I thought Free is my break command. Is it? Or is there a third command for the Break command, meaning (break, be a dog, do whatever you want, go pee, poop, sniff till I call give u another command) Does my terminal marker Free means be a dog now, do whatever u want or means that we are still training Please help I'm really confused
How to teach a be a dog, do whatever u want command
Thanks for your videos
Keep up the good work
Hi Josif, Thanks for the question and for supporting my channel. Jump to 39:00 into this video for the answer to your question: th-cam.com/video/3lBJFcWiAzk/w-d-xo.html I hope this helps! :)
Great information! The only thing I would want in addition is to see the info in action with an actual dog. I'm quite a visual learner and it's not so confusing to me when I can observe the action. I'm getting a female chocolate lab in about 2 weeks and I'm trying to absorb as much info as possible. I love your technique!
here you go: th-cam.com/video/UkZ7ucpK9sc/w-d-xo.html
I have a female chocolate labrador retriever too.
@@violavicki How old is she? I've had my little girl for a bit over a month and she is funny and so smart!
@@carlarandall1811 Mine is almost 11 weeks! She is super funny and smart too. Very mischevious!
@@violavicki Oh, wow! Emma was born 9/20/20 so they must be very close in age. Yours sounds just like mine. I love how smart they are. I'm not training super hard but she can sit, lay down and come. I'm going to train her to ring the Christmas bells so she knowsn the "touch" command as well. I'll be happy when she is out of the chewing stage. What is the name of your dog?
I use "yes" as a terminal marker, yet I have trained my dog to ignore it during a sit/down stay? Is this a mistake should a terminal marker always means come get your reward?
Can you use yes, free and a clicker as a reward marker?
Yes. :)
Hi Nate
Can you please clarify what should be done in terms of rewarding a dog for a behaviour I didn’t ask for. For example, if my dog goes to its crate without my command, how do I reward it? If I say “free” it will jump out of the crate to get a reward. If I say “Yes”and deliver a reward, my dog will think he’s in a stay state.
Thank you in advance
Here's a section from my manual, that I believe will help.
Firstly, there are the two positive types of markers: The first one is the continuation marker (I like to use the word “yes”). This is a word or sound that lets the dog know that they are correct and will be delivered a reward. It’s called a continuation marker because unlike the terminal marker, it doesn’t release the dog. Meaning, if your dog is in a command stay, you can use this marker without releasing the dog from the stay.
However, if your dog is not in a command stay, then this marker just means they’ll be rewarded. Therefore, this often confuses people because of the terminology “continuation”. This is why it’s easier to understand by what it predicts: A continuation marker predicts a reward. That’s it. It doesn’t change the circumstances, so if the dog is in a stay, they remain in the stay, and if the dog is not in a stay, then they remain free from the stay.
In contrast, we have the terminal markers (I like to use the word “free”). These release dogs from commanded positions as well as guaranteeing a reward. Ex.: If a dog was in a sitting position and you use your terminal marker, they are released from that position and will be given a reward (indicating the sit behavior is finished).
@@NateSchoemer so each command is a stay type command but ‘Yes’ and ‘Free’ markers are only reward delivery options? Correct?
Okay so patricia McConnell recommends a marker/verbal cue that means correct but no reinforcement is coming, a verbal cue that means incorrect, and a marker/verbal cue that means incorrect. So I was going to use the click for the terminal/release marker, good" for 'no reinforcement is coming but correct' and 'thats not it' for incorrect. Could I use 'good' for my continuation marker, because it is true that no reinforcement is coming right that 1/2 second. And it is correct. So I'm thinking of during a heel or teaching recall where the dog needs some immediate reinforcement before they get to you. But these markers don't solve the problem that you bring up, which is communicating to your dog if you are bringing them the treat or they can come to you to receive. Would I need a fourth marker? That seems like so much. Click treat would be a release, so what would be a suggested marker for the 'im bringing a treat to you' marker? And do I have this straight?
This may help. It's from version 3 of my manual. However, it hasn't be edited yet, so ignore any grammar mistakes. :)
First, we want to develop our communication channels. We like to call these "markers or conditioned reinforcers." These are going to be words or sounds (such as a clicker) that will let our dog know when they are right or wrong. I have a total of six markers that I like to teach to the dogs that I work with.
This is the very first step I do with any dog that I’m training, assuming the dog doesn’t have any fear or aggression issues. Some call this step loading the markers, while others call it engagement training. In this step you are paying (rewarding) your dog for focusing their attention on you. So, during this exercise, you are teaching your dog a few things: You are teaching them the communication channels, and you are teaching them that it's a good thing to look at you. The more engagement you get from your dog, the faster they will learn.
Firstly, there are the two positive types of markers: the first one is the continuation marker. This is a word or sound that lets the dog know that they are correct and will be delivered a reward. It’s called a continuation marker because it doesn’t also release the dog, as the terminal marker does. Meaning, if your dog is in a command stay, you can use this marker without releasing the dog from the stay. However, if your dog is not in a command stay, then this marker just means they’ll be rewarded. This often confuses people because of the title “continuation marker”. The easiest way to look at it, is by what it predicts. Continuation marker only predicts a reward. It doesn’t change the circumstances, so if the dog is in a stay, they remain in the stay. If the dog is not in a stay, then they remain free from the stay.
The next type is called terminal markers. These release dogs from commanded positions as well as guarantee a reward. Ex.: If a dog was in a sitting position and you use your terminal marker, they are released from that position and will be given a reward (indicating the sit behavior is finished). We have two versions of this marker: The first version lets the dog know that they’re correct, and they will come to the trainer for the reward, which also releases them from the prior behavior. The second version of the terminal marker lets the dog know they are correct, and they may go and get their reward. Ex.: If you had a ball out on the training field and your dog was aware that the ball was there, they would be released to get the toy. Since I teach my dogs an implied stay, meaning, if I tell a dog to sit, they are in a sit stay. I don’t have to say the word “stay”. When I first start teaching the verbal command I prefer to use the terminal marker. This gives me an opportunity to do multiple reps in a short amount of time and it relieves me of the added pressure of trying to reinforce a stay. In addition, the dogs will learn to perform the behaviors more quickly, because they will learn that the faster they perform the command, the faster they will be released and rewarded. Keep in mind that speed is based on motivation. The more motivated your dog is, the faster they will move.
We also have a non-reinforcement marker, and this is for mistakes. For example, if you tell your dog to sit, and the dog downs instead, you would use your non-reinforcement marker and then you would re-command the sit. Once the dog sits, you would then reward the dog. Giving a dog the ability to make mistakes and try again is imperative. If the dog gets corrected for making a mistake too early in training, then the dog will become careful and is less likely to try new things, which would make it more difficult to teach new behaviors.
I also like to teach a marker that signals negative reinforcement. This is very useful when teaching the stay command or if you wanted to teach your dog to not jump on the furniture. This helps your dog to learn what they can and can’t do without receiving a form of positive punishment. The type of negative reinforcement that it predicts is leash pressure. (For the purposes of this book, we will use the word “Wrong”)
The last marker is a signal for positive punishment. This sound lets the dog know they will be corrected. We use this for behaviors we would like to remove from the dog’s repertoire. After we say the conditioned correction (“No”), the correction is performed through a training collar. It’s important that these markers are pinpointed at the moment of time an undesirable behavior occurs, because if the timing is off, the dog will think the correction is being made for an entirely different behavior.
This part of the training only requires that we teach our dog the continuation and terminal marker. The exercise goes as follows: you get your dog’s attention, and once your dog is looking at you, you use your continuation-marker and then you deliver the reward. Note: the marker sound must come before you move to deliver the reward. If you say your marker while you’re giving the dog the reward, your dog will never become conditioned to the sound. Once your dog eats the reward and looks back at you, you are going to use your terminal-marker, then move away from your dog, encouraging your dog to come and get the reward. When doing this step I prefer to go back and forth between the two markers. I also recommend switching your supply hand and your distribution hand. You will continue to do sessions of this exercise until your dog is conditioned to these two markers. When done correctly most dogs will become conditioned within a day or two.
Ivan Pavlov’s dogs knew they were conditioned to the marker because they’d salivate. The way I test a dog to see if it’s conditioned: I will say the marker (the sound that predicts the reward, for example I say “Yes”), and instead of giving the reward I watch them for any changes of behavior. These are the four:
• Opening their mouths
• Salivating
• Licking their lips
• Moving their paws
On the other hand, if all they give you is a blank stare-you’ll know they’re not conditioned.
Now that your dog is conditioned to each marker, when using a marker, you may be wondering how long you have to deliver the primary reinforcer before you lose the connection. Well, you have as much time as the dog is paying attention. This could be any length of time until the dog is distracted (if a rabbit runs by and catches your dogs attention, you’ve lost it). This means you don’t have to rush the delivery of the reward.
Next, when using a marker make sure your dog is doing a behavior that you like. Don’t make the common mistake of using the marker to get your dog’s attention. Meaning, your dog is not paying attention to you, so you use the marker to get your dog to look at you. Even though your dog looks at you after you say the marker, the dog was actually being rewarded for looking away from you.
Lastly, if you use your marker, you must pay your dog with the primary. A marker only has value because it ALWAYS predicts the primary.
Once we teach our dog the different markers, we then move to the next step, which is to show the dog what we want them to perform. Before we name a command, the dog must first understand, through a physical cue, what we want and expect from them.
Note: before each training session I like to do engagement training for 15 - 30 seconds. This helps get the dog focused and in the right mindset to learn and maximize the results from each session.
@@NateSchoemer Thank you so much, that is really helpful. Six markers! I think it is good that you have a lot of ways to communicate with your dog.
So if your freeshaping and your dog sits should you say yes like you do in the videos or should you say free
Here's a section from my manual that should help:
Firstly, there are the two positive types of markers: The first one is the continuation marker (I like to use the word “yes”). This is a word or sound that lets the dog know that they are correct and will be delivered a reward. It’s called a continuation marker because unlike the terminal marker, it doesn’t release the dog. Meaning, if your dog is in a command stay, you can use this marker without releasing the dog from the stay.
However, if your dog is not in a command stay, then this marker just means they’ll be rewarded. Therefore, this often confuses people because of the terminology “continuation”. This is why it’s easier to understand by what it predicts: A continuation marker predicts a reward. That’s it. It doesn’t change the circumstances, so if the dog is in a stay, they remain in the stay, and if the dog is not in a stay, then they remain free from the stay.
In contrast, we have the terminal markers (I like to use the word “free”). These release dogs from commanded positions as well as guaranteeing a reward. Ex.: If a dog was in a sitting position and you use your terminal marker, they are released from that position and will be given a reward (indicating the sit behavior is finished).
I have a basic question. What if your dog is not always hungry, does that mean all the treat training will not work... And in the future, if you dont have treats, does the dog not listen to you ? Thanks.
This is why you want to use all four quadrants of operant conditioning. You can learn about them on my channel and in my dog training manual.
Add movement to the terminal marker.
The only thing I didn't get from this is what are some example words for continuation markers and terminal markers?
You can use whatever words or sounds that you like. In most of my videos I use "yes" as the continuation marker and "free" as the terminal marker. :)
@@NateSchoemer okay I gotcha. So the Continuation is like a good job but keep going and the terminal is a release word?
I’m a newish dog owner and I don’t completely understand what you’re saying. Is there any videos of you demonstrating the commands
Yes. Continue to go through my basic obedience series. I explain and demonstrate the training on multiple dogs. th-cam.com/video/cc8hX4lCGiY/w-d-xo.html
Hi Nate 👋 question: “free” is a terminal marker, meaning “good job come to me to get your treat” but Could i use “free” to release my dog to let them do what they want? For example if i were walking my dog lets say I am in an open field (it is safe and no imminent danger) but i have my dog in a heal and she want to go run around could i also use “free” to release her ? Or would I need to implement another marker?if so how would i come about that? Thank you for your time I hope you understood my question.
You can make any word mean what you like it to mean. I use free as a terminal marker which means release and reward. If I just want to release my dog, then I use the word break. Break for my dogs just mean release. Break is not a marker though, it's just a release word. Jump to 39:00 in this video: th-cam.com/video/3lBJFcWiAzk/w-d-xo.html
Nate Schoemer thank u 🙏🏼
Should I be concerned if I use the 'Yes' marker that when I or someone in my family says the word Yes in conversation that it will confuse the dog?
Only if it sounds the same as how you use it as a marker. This is why it's important to make it sound unique and consistent. :)
What are your thoughts on e-collars? I have a off leash k-9 trainer locally here and it looks like they may use it. I have 6-month-old golden retriever who barks people and pets on walks, pulls and when I try to et her to stop barking with "quiet" she just barks more at me and then plays tug of war with the leash. I am watching your videos but she is giving me a run for my money. ha
Yes. When used correctly they are very safe and effective tools. I explain how I use remote training collars in chapter 8 of my dog training manual. amzn.to/2P2tyQH
@@NateSchoemer Wonderful! Thank you for the quick reply! I'll look into your book. Do you use to sound or vibrate option on the collar. I heard there are levels.
I've been using these markers for a month now and they work very effectively I must say I was just wondering are both markers 100 percent rewarding? can I also add a mark for example before release without 100 percent rewarding because I can't always have rewards everywhere
Thanks! In theory, a marker is always meant to predict the primary. If you want to be able to release your dog without having to reward, then I would use a release word. This will let the dog know they are released, but no reward is guaranteed. However, with a release word, you can reward if you decide to; you just don't have to as you would the continuation or terminal marker. Remember, our words mean to our dogs by what they predict.
Continuation marker = reward
Terminal marker = release and reward
Release word (not a marker) = release
I hope this helps, and thanks again for supporting the channel. Cheers!
@@NateSchoemer thx!
Can you make a video on how to implement the "break" lets say I want my dog to SIT for any reason (when someone is at the door) and then want him to just walk freely after the person left, since the free marker means a reward is coming I can't really use that I guess, or can I just call the dog to mark that I no longer need him to stay there? Simply what I mean is how do I end a "stay state" or what ever I tell him to do outside of obedience training where I don't have rewards with me, with a "break"?
Last question to teach the markers "YES" and "FREE" I would just say "YES" and go to the dog with the reward for "FREE" I would say "FREE" and let the dog come to get the reward? And I should do this until the dog knows what yes and free mean. I know said it earlier but it would be cool to see how you taught your dogs the "BREAK" keep up the awesome work!
Thanks, I appreciate the kind words and I'm happy the training videos are helping. Check out this video and go to 39 minutes into the video. I discuss these same questions. I hope this helps and thanks for supporting the channel. th-cam.com/video/3lBJFcWiAzk/w-d-xo.html
@@NateSchoemer I am confused. This video is only five minutes long. Is there a longer version somewhere?
Can i take my puppy to get trained by you? Please send me info!
Feel free to send me an email to learn more about my dog training services. NateSchoemer@gmail.com Thanks!
How do you teach the markers exactly? In other words, I just start saying "Yes." and give him food a second after that and later on I start saying "Free." and give him food a second after that and continue doing it like a broken record until I notice change of behavior after giving continuation or terminal marker so that I know that the dog understands it and expects a reward. So the question basically is: How do the dog understand that "free." would mean that he is released and can walk around, jump and just be a dog when I teach both markers the same way? Thanks.
Free is my terminal marker, not a release. This means the dog is released and rewarded for the captured behavior, but not released from training. Keep watching the basic obedience series in order to learn how to effectively use both the terminal and continuation marker. Thanks! 😁🙏🐶🐕
@@NateSchoemer yes, my bad, wrong choice of words! Anyway, thanks, I will rewatch the Basic Obedience playlist third time before my Golden arrives 😁 keep up the work, Nate
Hey nate i from india i have doubt, my dog goes potty on morning and evening outside but he does not goes at night outside, he is afraid of night i think so. Is there any solution nate....
Yes, follow the same potty training process as this at night: th-cam.com/video/EKqy0j7tYi0/w-d-xo.html
I've seen a lot of people say "release" to their service dogs when they are allowed up from a downstay. Is this word just another way of saying "free"? Or are they two different commands?
I use the word, “free” as a terminal marker. This tells the dog that they are correct, they are released, and they are going to receive a reward. You can use any word or sound that you like for a terminal marker. Remember, the sound becomes to the dog whatever it predicts. 😁🐶
@@NateSchoemer So they are different words for the same command? I just wanted to be sure of that. It seems that you eventually drop the word yes and free. When the dog is fully trained do you still use the word "free" to release them from a downstay or similar ongoing commands?
No, a release word only releases a dog from a commanded position. The terminal marker lets the dog know they did the behavior correctly and they are released and rewarded. I use markers, “yes and free” throughout my dogs entire life.
@@NateSchoemer thank you, I understand now. Your videos are so helpful.
@@MS-dw1nh My pleasure and thank you!
Hey nate what do you mean by teaching behaviors?
Such as a sit, down, come, or heel. You could also say, "teaching commands" :)
@@NateSchoemer thanks nate your the best
Nate ive taught my 9 week old puppy sit and down but when I try to walk away she tries to follow. I’ve leaned forward to make her sit again but I can’t manage walk more than a step away without her coming after me. What step am I looking over?
Check out this video: th-cam.com/video/s5iD8eN89bo/w-d-xo.html Cheers! :)
@@NateSchoemer awesome stuff man. Thanks!
I want a video on how to get my dog to bark on command by using the word "speak"
I’m just curious and I hear you use break and free what’s the difference in those two markers
"Break" is my release word and "free" is my terminal marker. Break just releases a dog from a position, while the terminal marker pinpoints a moment in time when the dog is correct. It always predicts release and reward. :)
I’ve seen so many of your videos and just can’t grasp this one concept
And this video broke it down perfectly and answered some other questions I had about encouraging speed
12k views and only 300 likes? Wth
Lol! Thanks! :)
So what is your actual verbal "Continuation Marker" and "Terminal Marker"?
If you or I have the dog at a stay down and say yes the dog is going to get off from that stay down and come to you me.
Why are you going into so much detail on sits this early?
Why not?
It's haaard for me to remember..
I got them all mixed up..if I correct will she forget the wrong way I have been doing it?
Try to be as consistent as possible. Just remember what each word predicts to the dog:
(Continuation marker) Yes = Reward
(Terminal Marker) Free = Release & Reward
@@NateSchoemer thank you
@@NateSchoemer this comment was actually super helpful thank you !
Thank you
My pleasure! Cheers!