Glossary
What is a secondary reinforcer in dog training?
Food, water, play and comfort are primary reinforcers: a dog values them without being taught. Almost everything else a trainer uses has to earn its meaning. A word like "yes" means nothing to a new puppy. Paired with a treat often enough, it becomes a promise. That borrowed value is what makes a secondary reinforcer useful, and also what makes it easy to wear out.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Learned rewards
Markers, praise and touch only matter once they are learned.
The best-known secondary reinforcer is a marker: a short, distinct word or a click that tells the dog exactly which moment earned the reward. Its power is timing. A treat takes a second or two to arrive, but a marker can land the instant a rear hits the floor in a sit, so the dog knows what it is being paid for.
Praise, a scratch on the chest, the sight of the leash, even a particular tone of voice can all become secondary reinforcers. Not every dog finds praise rewarding on its own, and some dogs find a chest scratch more welcome than a pat on the head. Watching how your dog responds tells you which signals actually carry value and which are just noise to them.
- Marker words like yes or good
- Clicks from a clicker
- Calm verbal praise
- A chest scratch or touch
Charging the signal
How a marker gets charged, and how it goes flat.
A worked example. In a quiet room, say your marker word once, then hand over a small treat straight after. Do nothing else: no cue, no sit required. Repeat in short sets, then test it. If your dog's head snaps toward you when the word lands while they are looking away, the marker is charged and ready for real training.
Markers go flat when the promise breaks. Saying the word without following through, or using it as chatter, can teach the dog it means nothing. That is why our markers and rewards first method keeps the pairing honest, and why handover lessons teach owners the same words and timing we use, so the signal still means something once a dog goes home.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
What is an example of a secondary reinforcer for dogs?
A marker word such as "yes" is the classic example. It has no value until it has been paired with food or play, after which it can mark a correct behaviour the instant it happens.
What is the difference between primary and secondary reinforcers?
Primary reinforcers, like food and play, matter to a dog without any teaching. Secondary reinforcers borrow their value from those primary ones through pairing.
Is praise a secondary reinforcer?
Yes, praise is learned rather than built in. Some dogs value it highly and some barely notice it, so pairing it with things your dog already loves helps it carry weight.
Do I have to use treats forever if I use a marker?
Rewards can become less predictable once a behaviour is solid, and life rewards like a door opening or a thrown ball can take over some of the work. The marker still needs occasional pairing to keep its meaning.
Keep reading
Make your words mean something
Book a consultation to talk through your dog's training, and we will recommend the program that fits, smaller ones included.
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