Episode 251: Should We All Stop Using Non-Reward Markers In Dog Training?

Non-Reward Markers have long been used in dog training, but are they really necessary? And what drives our choice to use an NRM? A NRM, sometimes called a No Reward Marker, could be a word people use to freeze a dog from making a poor choice during training or even be something like, “ah”, “no”, “hey”, “stop”. I’m covering how things have changed for me and the use of Non-Reward Markers over the years and what we can do instead.

In this episode you’ll hear:

Why to consider the balance of compassion and ambition.
About the impact of using non-reward markers in dog training.
Why to use the ABC model to create clarity for dogs.
Personal experiences with my dogs over the years.
Why manipulating the environment sets dogs up for shaping success.
How making a small shift in dog training prevents frustration.
Why to play the "Muffin Tin Game" and how it encourages dogs to offer behaviors.
About considering experimental design and set up.