Dog training glossary
Bridge
Quick answer
A signal (a clicker sound or a marker word like "yes") that tells a dog the exact moment it did the right thing.
Written by the TailorPup team, updated September 2026. See our editorial approach.
What it means
A bridge closes the gap between a behavior and the reward that physically takes a second or two to deliver. Without it, a dog can't always tell which exact action earned the treat, especially for fast behaviors. The bridge itself has to be taught first, by pairing the sound or word with a treat many times, before it means anything to the dog.
A real example
The instant a puppy's bottom touches the ground on a sit, the trainer clicks, then reaches for a treat. The click marks the sit specifically, even though the treat arrives a moment later.
Common mistake
Using the bridge sound inconsistently, or without ever having paired it with a reward first, so the dog never learns it predicts anything.
Related terms
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