Glossary
Marker word
A short word, such as "yes", said at the instant a dog does the right thing to tell it a reward is coming.
Also called: verbal marker, reward marker, yes marker, bridge
A marker word does the same job as a clicker: it marks the exact moment of the correct behavior and bridges the gap until the treat arrives. Trainers choose a short, crisp word, often "yes" or "good", and say it in the same tone every time.
The dog learns the meaning by hearing the word followed by a reward, over and over, until the word predicts food by itself. After that, the trainer can mark behavior from a few steps away and deliver the reward a moment later.
A marker word is not the same as a cue. A cue asks the dog to do something, while a marker only says that was right, reward coming. Using the word casually in conversation weakens it.
Last reviewed November 8, 2026