Negative Markers

Author: Denise Partlow

Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas

Just like with a positive marker, marking the moment a dog does something right, I also like to use a negative marker, marking the moment my dog does something wrong.

I use the word “nope” or “ah-ah” as a negative marker. This means that after I say the negative marker word, it lets the dog know, try again, that’s not It. No food for that!

This can also be paired with removing what your dog wants. He is acting nutty around guests, give the negative marker and if he doesn’t stop, he is removed from the guests. Then try again.

However, the topic I really want to address is the use of corrections from an aversive tool. Behavioral Biologist, Karen Pryor, makes a really good point in her book, “Don’t Shoot The Dog.” Corrections, if given, should be associated with a negative marker; meaning the dog understands that when the negative marker is given, if the dog doesn’t follow through, something unpleasant is coming. This gives the dog the opportunity to avoid the aversive stimulus. It is also important to remember that the dog should fully understand what you are asking AND be physically and emotionally capable of following through.

Your goal should always be to NOT have to correct physically. Of course, in order to build this as a conditioned response, you would need to, but when done correctly, your dog will pick up on the negative marker quickly.

This post is not to encourage you to correct your dog physically, my goal is to educate those that do. Unfortunately, with some correction-based trainers, they don’t use enough positive reinforcement, they rely too heavily on corrections and don’t allow the dog a way to avoid them. When trainers don’t condition their negative markers, they end up over-correcting ultimately leading to bigger problems than they started with.

Providing our dogs with clear communication and fair expectations should be everyone’s goal.
So if you choose to use corrections, it is best to use a conditioned marker that gives your dog the opportunity to make better decisions.