Ramírez, Hernández, and Farfano (2017) explored whether the type of event marker—clicker or voice—affects the efficiency of shaping new behaviors in dogs. Using principles of operant conditioning, the study examined how many reinforcers were required to teach two dogs seven new behaviors.
The results revealed no significant difference between the two methods: both the clicker and the voice required the same number of reinforcers to achieve each target behavior. This suggests that when timing and reinforcement criteria are applied correctly, the choice of marker does not affect training efficiency.
Although the study involved only two canine subjects, it provides valuable insight into the role of timing and reinforcement consistency in dog training. Rather than focusing on the specific marker used, trainers should emphasize clarity, timing, and consistency to achieve the best results. Both clickers and verbal markers can be effective when paired with proper technique.
Source: Ramírez, M. T. G., Hernández, R. L., & Farfano, M. V. (2017). Differences between clicker and voice when used as event markers in shaping novel behaviors in dog training, 17, 67–77. References: 18. Citations: 1.
