What are conditioned cues (markers) in CST?

• A. Cues given to punish
• B. Cues given to the MWD to give precise information about the relationship between its behavior and a reward or punishment
• C. Visual signals that are irrelevant
• D. Markers that only punish

Answer: (B)

Conditioned cues are signals the dog learns to associate with reinforcement or punishment, used to mark the exact moment a behavior is performed and to communicate that a consequence will follow. In CST, these cues serve as markers that provide precise information about the relationship between the dog’s action and the outcome, enabling the trainer to deliver reinforcement or correction promptly. A clicker or a specific verbal cue is commonly used, signaling the dog that its behavior was correct and that a reward is coming (or, in some protocols, a correction will follow). This immediate, clear linkage between action and consequence speeds learning, reduces guessing, and supports shaping complex behaviors. They’re not merely irrelevant signals and they aren’t markers that punish in isolation; they are the bridge that ties behavior to the subsequent consequence.