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Comet 'n' Cloud
Dog Training
Resources
From training info to client resources and FAQs, this page is a go-to spot for helpful materials. Feel free to check back — we’ll be adding more over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Positive Training: What It Means
Positive training is a science-based approach to dog training that uses principles of learning theory, including operant conditioning. The focus is on reinforcing behaviors we want to see more of, while thoughtfully managing the environment to set dogs up for success.
To learn more about positive training, you may find these resources helpful:
What Does Positive Training Mean to Me?
For me, positive training means focusing on clear communication, thoughtful structure, and teaching skills that help dogs succeed in real life. I do not use aversive training tools such as choke collars, prong collars, or electronic collars. Positive training is not about never setting boundaries or never saying “no.” It is about teaching dogs what to do through reinforcement, consistency, and appropriate management, while prioritizing safety, learning, and emotional well-being. Progress is built through patience, practice, and trust—not through fear or intimidation.
What is Marker Training?
Marker training is a teaching method used by many trainers, including positive trainers, to communicate precisely when a dog has performed a desired behavior. A marker tells the dog exactly which behavior is being reinforced. While clickers are a common type of marker, markers can also be verbal (such as a short “yes”) or visual. Trainers may use more than one marker, as long as each is delivered consistently and clearly. Relying on treat delivery alone can be challenging, since treats must be delivered within a very short window for the dog to understand what is being reinforced. A marker bridges that gap by clearly communicating, “That behavior right there is what earned reinforcement,” allowing the handler a bit more time to deliver a treat or other reward. This can be especially helpful when practicing skills at a distance.
How Dogs Learn
This section includes short explanations of learning and training concepts that come up during sessions. These are provided for general understanding, not as step-by-step training instructions.
When Does “Sit” Mean Sit?
How verbal cues (sometimes called “commands”) are introduced once a behavior is understood.
A cue, sometimes called a command, is the signal we use to ask a dog to perform a specific behavior, such as sitting. Dogs, however, do not come to us already understanding spoken language, which means cues must be learned through experience and repetition. If a cue is introduced before a dog understands the behavior it refers to, it can create confusion. Repeating a cue multiple times before it is well learned may also reduce its meaning for the dog. Trainers sometimes refer to this as a “poisoned cue,” where the word no longer reliably predicts what will happen next. For this reason, cues are typically added after a behavior has become predictable — when the dog is consistently offering the behavior in familiar situations. At that point, the cue can be paired with the behavior so it begins to take on clear meaning. Over time, the cue becomes a reliable way to communicate what is being asked.
Capturing
A training concept that involves reinforcing behaviors a dog offers naturally.
Capturing is a training approach in which a behavior is marked at the moment a dog performs it naturally, without prompting. For example, if a dog sits on their own and the behavior is immediately marked with a click or verbal marker, the dog begins to associate that behavior with reinforcement. Capturing works especially well for behaviors dogs frequently offer, such as sitting or lying down. It can also be useful for teaching behaviors that are more difficult to prompt directly, such as brief eye contact, looking away, or subtle body movements like head tilts. Timing is important when capturing, as the marker must be delivered at the moment the behavior occurs. For this reason, many trainers find verbal markers helpful in everyday situations, since they are easy to use even when a clicker is not readily available.
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