The click, or the mark, provides us with great power in communicating with our learners. Trainers want to harness this power, but there can be reasons for deliberately delaying the use of the mark when training new behaviors. Once a behavior has advanced and is on the goal cues, the question arises: when and how should the click be removed from the behavior > mark > reinforce cycle? And if removed, should it never return?

At ClickerExpo Portland (4/5 - 4/7) Michele Pouliot delves into two training choices: marking behavior or not marking behavior prior to reinforcement. As an enthusiastic clicker trainer, Michele constantly strives to utilize the power of a well-timed click. However, she also selectively sets the marker aside for specific reasons.