Welcome
Many people think training starts with teaching commands like sit, down and stay.
But before your puppy can learn obedience, they need to learn how to communicate with you.
A puppy that pays attention, enjoys interacting with you, and understands how training works will learn new skills much faster.
Lesson 1 – How Dogs Learn
Concept – What Is It?
Dogs learn through consequences.
Behaviours that are rewarded become more likely to happen again.
Behaviours that no longer achieve anything become less useful over time.
Why Does It Matter?
Your puppy is learning all day, even when you are not intentionally training.
For example:
- Puppy jumps → person gives attention → jumping is rewarded.
- Puppy sits calmly → person gives attention → calm behaviour is rewarded.
Your puppy is always asking:
“What works?”
Puppies are not trying to be difficult. They are repeating behaviours that have been successful for them.
Our job is to make sure the behaviours we want are the behaviours that work.
How To Do It
Start noticing:
- What behaviour is happening?
- What happens immediately afterwards?
- Is that consequence encouraging the behaviour?
Reward:
- calm behaviour
- attention
- engagement
- appropriate choices
Prevent unwanted behaviours from being accidentally reinforced.
Trainer’s Tip
You don’t need to constantly correct your puppy.
You need to become better at noticing and rewarding the behaviours you want more of.
Remember
What gets reinforced gets repeated.
🐕 Lesson: Marker Training (Building Clear Communication With Your Dog)
🎯 Goal
To teach your dog that a marker signal means:
• “That behaviour was correct”
• “A reward is coming”
• “You understand what I want”
By the end of this lesson, you will understand how to:
• choose and use a marker correctly
• condition the marker so your dog understands its meaning
• improve timing and communication
• use the marker to teach new behaviours more clearly
Marker training creates a communication system between you and your dog. It is the foundation behind effective reward-based training.
🧠 Why this matters
Dogs do not naturally understand human words.
When we say:
“Good boy”
or
“Yes”
the dog does not automatically know what it means.
A marker bridges the gap between the behaviour and the reward.
The marker tells your dog:
“That exact thing you just did is what earns reinforcement.”
Important principle:
The better your timing, the faster your dog learns.
Without clear communication, dogs often become confused because they are rewarded too late or for the wrong behaviour.
The goal is simple:
Correct behaviour → marker → reward
🔔 Choosing your marker
Your marker can be:
• a word such as “Yes”
• a clicker
• another consistent sound
The marker must be:
✔ clear
✔ consistent
✔ easy to deliver quickly
Most owners find a verbal marker easiest because it is always available.
Example:
Dog sits → “Yes” → treat
The marker is not the reward.
It is information that tells your dog a reward is coming.
🚫 What NOT to do
Avoid:
• changing your marker frequently
• saying the marker repeatedly
• marking after the dog has moved away
• using the marker when you cannot reward
• rewarding too slowly after marking
These often:
• reduce clarity
• weaken the association
• make learning slower
The marker only works when timing and consistency are good.
🪜 Step 1: Charge the marker
Before using the marker during training, your dog needs to understand what it means.
Start in a quiet environment.
Exercise:
- Say your marker:
“Yes” - Immediately give a food reward.
- Repeat 10–20 times.
At this stage:
No behaviour is required.
You are simply teaching:
“Marker = something good is coming.”
🪜 Step 2: Test understanding
After several short sessions:
Say your marker when your dog is not expecting it.
If your dog looks interested or expects a reward, the association is developing.
Do not rush this stage.
A strong marker creates faster learning later.
🪜 Step 3: Use the marker during training
Now begin marking behaviours you like.
Examples:
Your dog looks at you:
“Yes” → reward
Your puppy sits naturally:
“Yes” → reward
Your dog settles calmly:
“Yes” → reward
The timing rule:
Mark the moment the behaviour happens.
Reward immediately afterwards.
🪜 Step 4: Build behaviour with the marker
The marker allows you to break training into small steps.
Example: teaching sit
Your dog lowers their bottom:
“Yes” → reward
Your dog sits fully:
“Yes” → reward
Your dog holds the sit:
“Yes” → reward
The marker tells the dog exactly which part was correct.
🧠 Why this works
Marker training creates a clear learning system:
Behaviour happens
↓
Marker identifies success
↓
Reward reinforces the behaviour
Over time your dog learns:
• what behaviours earn rewards
• how to repeat successful actions
• how to understand training more easily
The marker becomes a bridge between communication and reinforcement.
⚠️ Common mistakes
• Marking too late
• Using the marker as praise instead of information
• Forgetting to reward after marking
• Expecting the dog to understand immediately
• Training for too long
Short, successful sessions create better learning.
🧭 Troubleshooting
My dog ignores the marker
Return to charging the marker.
Make the association stronger:
Marker → reward
Marker → reward
My timing is poor
Practise without your dog:
Choose a moment (such as dropping a pen) and practise saying “Yes” at the exact moment it happens.
My dog only works when I have food
Begin reducing visible rewards gradually.
The marker remains the communication tool, while rewards become less predictable over time.
🎯 Summary
To teach marker training:
• choose one consistent marker
• build value through repetition
• mark behaviours at the exact moment they happen
• always follow the marker with reinforcement
• keep sessions short and successful
🐾 Final takeaway
Marker training is not about bribing your dog.
It is about creating clear communication.
A well-conditioned marker helps your dog understand:
“That was the behaviour you wanted.”
Once your dog understands this, teaching new skills becomes easier, faster, and less confusing.
Lesson 2 – Name Recognition
Concept – What Is It?
Your puppy’s name should mean:
“Pay attention to my owner.”
Not:
“I’m in trouble.”
Why Does It Matter?
A puppy that responds to their name is easier to guide, easier to redirect and easier to train.
Name recognition becomes the foundation of recall and engagement.
How To Do It
- Wait until your puppy is mildly distracted.
- Say their name once.
- When they look at you:
“Yes!”
- Reward immediately.
Repeat several times.
Real-Life Example
Your puppy is sniffing the carpet.
You say:
“Odie.”
He looks up.
“Yes!”
Treat.
Common Mistakes
- Repeating the name several times.
- Saying the name when you’re frustrated.
- Using the name without rewarding attention.
Troubleshooting
My puppy ignores their name.
Move to a quieter environment.
Use better treats.
Keep distractions low.
Trainer’s Tip
Only say your puppy’s name when you can follow it with something positive.
Remember
Your puppy’s name should predict good things.
Homework
Practise five repetitions, three times each day.
Quick Summary
✓ Say the name once.
✓ Reward attention.
✓ Practise in quiet areas first.
Lesson 3 – The Follow Me Game
Concept – What Is It?
The Follow Me Game teaches your puppy that staying close to you is rewarding.
Why Does It Matter?
This simple game helps build:
- Engagement
- Recall foundations
- Loose lead foundations
- Relationship
How To Do It
- Start in a quiet area.
- Walk a few steps away.
- Encourage your puppy to follow.
- When they come with you:
“Yes!”
Reward.
- Change direction often.
Real-Life Example
You walk from the kitchen to the lounge room.
Your puppy follows.
“Yes!”
Treat.
You then walk back toward the kitchen.
Repeat.
Common Mistakes
- Moving too quickly.
- Training for too long.
- Practising in a distracting environment.
Troubleshooting
My puppy doesn’t follow me.
Use a happier voice.
Move away more slowly.
Use food to encourage movement.
Trainer’s Tip
Make yourself interesting.
Puppies naturally follow things that move and create fun.
Remember
Following you should feel rewarding and enjoyable.
Homework
Play the Follow Me Game for two minutes, two or three times each day.
Quick Summary
✓ Keep it fun.
✓ Change direction often.
✓ Reward generously.
Lesson 4 – Capturing Attention
Concept – What Is It?
Capturing attention means rewarding your puppy for voluntarily looking at you.
Why Does It Matter?
This builds a puppy that naturally checks in with you.
That’s incredibly valuable in everyday life.
How To Do It
- Sit quietly.
- Wait.
- The moment your puppy looks at you:
“Yes!”
Reward.
That’s it.
Real-Life Example
Your puppy stops playing and glances at you.
“Yes!”
Treat.
Common Mistakes
- Calling the puppy first.
- Asking for a behaviour.
- Missing the moment.
Troubleshooting
My puppy never looks at me.
Try in a quieter room and wait patiently.
Trainer’s Tip
The behaviours we reward tend to happen more often.
Remember
Attention is a behaviour worth reinforcing.
Homework
Reward ten voluntary check-ins each day.
Quick Summary
✓ Wait.
✓ Mark.
✓ Reward.
✓ Repeat.
Lesson 5 – Using Food Correctly
Concept – What Is It?
Food is one of the easiest ways to communicate with a puppy.
It isn’t bribery.
It’s information.
Why Does It Matter?
Food helps puppies learn quickly and creates positive associations with training.
How To Do It
- Mark the behaviour.
- Deliver the food immediately.
- Keep treats small.
- Reward frequently.
Real-Life Example
Puppy sits.
“Yes!”
Treat.
Simple.
Common Mistakes
- Waiting too long.
- Using large treats.
- Expecting too much before rewarding.
Troubleshooting
My puppy isn’t interested in food.
Try:
- Training before meals.
- Using higher-value treats.
- Working in a quieter environment.
Trainer’s Tip
Food is a teaching tool, not a forever requirement.
Remember
Behaviour → Marker → Reward.
Homework
Practise rewarding simple behaviours throughout the day.
Quick Summary
✓ Reward quickly.
✓ Keep treats small.
✓ Use food to teach.
Lesson 6 – Keeping Training Short
Concept – What Is It?
Puppies have very short attention spans.
Why Does It Matter?
Long sessions often lead to:
- Frustration
- Mistakes
- Loss of motivation
How To Do It
Aim for:
- One to three minutes.
- Several times each day.
Always stop while your puppy is still enjoying it.
Real-Life Example
Two minutes of training before dinner.
Then stop.
Perfect.
Common Mistakes
- Training too long.
- Trying to teach too much at once.
- Continuing after the puppy is tired.
Troubleshooting
My puppy loses interest quickly.
That’s normal.
Finish earlier next time.
Trainer’s Tip
Leave your puppy wanting more.
Remember
Short and successful beats long and frustrating.
Homework
Keep every training session under three minutes this week.
Quick Summary
✓ Keep sessions short.
✓ End on success.
✓ Train often, not for long.
This Week’s Action Plan
☐ Teach the marker word.
☐ Practise name recognition.
☐ Play the Follow Me Game.
☐ Reward voluntary attention.
☐ Keep all sessions under three minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times should I train each day?
Several short sessions are better than one long session.
What if my puppy loses interest?
Stop and try again later.
Am I spoiling my puppy by using treats?
No. You are teaching your puppy how to learn.
Module 2 Key Takeaway
Before teaching obedience, build communication.
Teach your puppy that being with you is rewarding.
A puppy that understands how to learn, enjoys working with you, and chooses to engage will be easier to train.
Engagement comes first.
Everything else becomes easier afterwards.