Remember when you were a kid and you heard or read the words "You Won" it really meant something special to you and you looked forward to your prize with great anticipation? I bet now you are skeptical when you hear these same words and hardly pay any attention to them...
In dog training we use a "Reward Marker". We want our dog to eagerly anticipate hearing it and getting the coveted prize! In order to keep it meaningful to the dog we have to ensure it stays "charged" and ensure that it is followed every time with powerful rewards that your particular dog finds reinforcing in that situation. It is usually used in the learning stages of a new behaviour.
In the later stages of training we use praise, petting, happy body language and intermittent rewards to reinforce behaviours that your dog already responds to. (I hesitate to say "know" as that is a whole different blog post!)
This article will help you understand when and how to use a "Reward Marker".
http://www.hollysden.com/Dog-and-Puppy-Training-Articles/Positive-Dog-Training.htm
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