It was almost by accident that I stumbled on marker training. Using the traditional methods of a prong collar, I had been trying to train my dog, Angel.

Within about five days she was completely freaked out. Fortunately since I was being helped by this professional trainer, he was able to make me understand the damage that had been caused, and help me along the path to rectifying and repairing it.

Angel grew afraid of being trained. Whenever the man came over for her sessions she ran away and hid under a chair.

It took about half an hour of hide and seeks before Angel could finally be reluctantly persuaded to go for her training outside.

When this routine had continued for some days, I knew I absolutely had to do something about it. However, the big question was what?

Quite soon after the last session of hide and seek, we were playing together in the yard at ‘fetch’, when just for fun I said ‘Sit!’, as I held her ball. Instantly she sat.

I repeated this, but the next time I said ‘Down!’ Immediately she flattened herself on the grass like a board.

That was all it took to get me hooked on the method of Positive Training.

You may be wandering at this time what would be the case if I didn’t have the ball – would it still work?
Without a doubt!

Taking it a step further today I would like to use positive methods to share marker training with you.
It is called ‘clicker training’ by some, but as I do not use a clicker myself, I feel it is more appropriate to use the term marker training.

Describe Marker Training – Does it work with pitbulls?

In a nutshell it cab be described as the implementing of a particular marker like a word or a click to ‘mark’ the behaviour that is desired by the animal.

As to the question: Does it work with pitbulls? Most definitely, is my answer to you!

To commence your marker training efforts your list of requirements will be:

A stock of plenty of treats
A stock and store of abundance of patience – you will definitely need a truckload.
Commitment

Marker Training – Does it work?

Have you seen the range of stunts those massive whales are trained to do at places like Sea World? They go jumping through hoops and shooting into the sky with their trainers riding on their backs. They are being taught these performances using Marker Training methods.

So, clearly, it works, but the question again is, where do you start?

You can start by reading as much material as you can lay your hand on about the subject.
There are books available on this topic even online.

Next get yourself a mentor who has titled animals being taught by positive marker training. In fact I myself am getting Angel prepared for the UKC Obedience and Weight Pull by marker training methods.