PLAY+ Enriched Marking: Practitioner Reference
Markers as the Language of Transition, Flow, and Prospective Control
Overview
Enriched Marking in PLAY+ is the handler’s communication system for shaping the rhythm, initiative, and flow of cooperative play. It is accomplished by strategically marking moments of coupling, transition, anticipation, and completion—each with a distinct function and effect on the skill chain. These four markers enable high-level control over teamwork, chaining, and initiative transfer.
Marker Types: Definitions, Etymology, Initiative, and Expanded Examples
Cue Compatibility: With the exception of the Terminal Marker, all Enriched Markers in PLAY+ can be delivered as a cue (i.e., by using the next skill's cue as the marker at the moment of coupling or transition). The Terminal Marker is typically paired with a motivator or discrete reward and does not function as a cue. (See note below for further discussion.)
1. Inceptive Marker
What: A standard “Yes!” marker used at the moment of coupling or a shift in coupling mid-chain, during the flow of action. May also be delivered as a cue.
Function: Signals successful coupling or a pivotal transition within a skill chain, reinforcing the action as it evolves into a skill. The dog is actively engaged in the flow, connecting skills dynamically.
Initiative: Dog holds initiative, as they’re driving the action sequence, and the marker supports their momentum in the chain.
Example:
During a recall, the dog pivots toward the handler mid-run; handler marks “Yes!” (or may use the next cue) to reinforce the shift in coupling, keeping the flow going. In freestyle: Dog catches a disc, handler marks “Yes!” or cues the next skill as the dog turns to recouple with the handler, marking the skill and allowing the dog to maintain the initiative.
Inceptive Marker: Etymology & Philosophical Rationale
Etymology:
Latin Root: incipere ("to begin, to take in hand")
in- ("into, within")
capere ("to take, seize, grasp")
Thus, incipere literally means "to take into the hand" or "to begin by taking up." It expresses the act of initiating, of grasping the first movement or opportunity.
Philosophical/Functional Fit in PLAY+:
The Inceptive Marker is not simply a confirmation or a reward; it is the deliberate "taking up" of the emergent skill, acknowledging the moment of coupling as the action transforms into a skillful performance.
This marker recognizes and marks the birth of a new skill or the pivotal shift in a chain—at the instant when intention, action, and environment are dynamically coupled.
It takes-to-hand the present opportunity, disclosing the emergent skill as it is being brought into existence—before the action has fully stabilized as a the finished skill.
Inceptive Marking supports and energizes dynamic flow, not by closing a sequence but by marking key moments when coupling or recoupling occurs within a performance, affording the dog continued initiative and relevant feedback.
Unlike the Preceptive Marker, which projects forward with the next cue, the Inceptive Marker grounds the team in the present transformation—emphasizing the process of coupling and emergent skillfulness as it happens, woven directly into the ongoing flow.
2. Expectant Marker
What: A “Yes!” or “Wait!” marker that highlights an action or moment of coupling, followed by a pause or “freeze.” May also be delivered as a cue.
Function: Marks the action or coupling but halts the flow, holding the learner in a moment of anticipation to emphasize control or precision.
Initiative: Handler holds initiative, as the pause allows the handler to direct the next step, maintaining control over the sequence.
Example:
Dog completes a sit, you mark with “Yes!” or “Wait!” and pause, freezing the dog in position to ensure focus before cueing the next action. In chained duration: Dog stands on a pedestal, handler marks “Wait!” or cues the next skill and holds the dog in position, building anticipation for a release.
Expectant Marker: Etymology & Philosophical Rationale
Etymology:
Latin Root: expectare ("to look out for, to await, to watch for")
ex- ("out")
spectare ("to look at, watch")
Thus, expectare literally means "to look out for" or "to await." It implies an active orientation toward what is about to come, a readiness held in anticipation.
Philosophical/Functional Fit in PLAY+:
The Expectant Marker is not merely a pause or a command; it is the deliberate creation of anticipation—marking a moment of coupling or skill achievement, then purposefully holding the flow to generate readiness for what follows.
This marker punctuates the rhythm of the sequence, holding the team in a controlled Aporia (pause or freeze) that accentuates precision, composure, and mental engagement.
It "looks out for" or "awaits" the next directive, shaping the team’s posture, attention, and affective tone—extending the moment so as to build drive, focus, and heightened expectancy before the next action is cued.
Expectant Marking is used when the handler needs to retain initiative, maintain control, or highlight the importance of stillness, focus, or recalibration before moving forward.
Distinct from the Inceptive Marker and Prospective Markers, which propel the sequence forward, the Expectant Marker suspends the action—amplifying anticipation and intentionality, and allowing the handler to strategically manage transitions in the flow of play.
3. Prospective Marker
What: The cue for the next skill (e.g., "Through") is used as the marker at a key moment of coupling for the current skill ("Spin").
Function: Reinforces the current skill while priming the dog to resolve the action so as to afford the next skill, ensuring a fluid and purposeful transition.
Initiative:Handler maintains initiative, as the cue directs the learner (dog) toward the next skill, shaping the action proactively.
Example:
Dog is cued to "Spin." As the dog completes half of the spin, the handler calls out "Through"—using the next skill’s cue as a marker at this transitional moment. The dog, now primed by the cue, completes the spin in a way that lines up for the "Through." Where is the Trigger? The handler then opens their legs, triggering the dog to move cleanly through as the next action in the chain.
Etymology & Philosophical Rationale:
Etymology:
Latin noun: prospectus — "a view forward; act of looking ahead."
pro- (“forward, before”)
specere (“to look at, see”)
Latin verb: prospicere — "to look forward, to see in advance."
Philosophical/Functional Fit in PLAY+:
The Prospective Marker is not merely a reward or affirmation; it is the deliberate “looking ahead” to the next action, embedded within the current moment of action or achievement.
This marker is an act of orienting the team's attention and readiness toward a future skill or affordance. Given at a moment of coupling during the current action or skill, this marker informs the present with the directive force of what is to come. This is prospective control for dog and handler.
It “looks forward” to the next skill, shaping the team’s readiness, posture, and mindset in advance—before the environment or the dog would naturally transition.
Distinct from simple chaining: the Prospective Marker is a pre-instruction, an embodied anticipation, woven into the fabric of the flow.
4. Terminal Marker
What: A standard “Yes!” marker followed by a primary, discrete motivator (e.g., a treat, play, or the “big cookie”).
Function: Signals the completion of a skill or chain, reinforcing the final coupling and delivering the primary reward to close the sequence.
Initiative: Typically, the handler controls the delivery of the motivator, so handler holds initiative, but the dog’s successful completion drives the reward.
Example:
Dog completes a full skill chain (e.g., sit → down → stay), you mark “Yes!” and deliver a treat or play session as the terminal reward. In sport: Dog performs three consecutive tricks, handler marks “Yes!” and releases to a game of tug.
Prospective Marking as Inceptive or Expectant
Prospective Marking in PLAY+ is highly flexible and context-driven. It can function in either an inceptive or expectant mode—meaning the marker can serve to launch the next action (inceptive) or to pause and build anticipation for the next cue (expectant)—depending on how and when the cue is delivered.
In effect, Prospective Marking is simply marking with the cue, but with full intentionality:
If the cue is used to energize and initiate a skill at the point of coupling, it is inceptive prospective marking.
If the cue is used to punctuate and hold attention before the next action, it is expectant prospective marking.
Summary:
Prospective Marking is not a rigid type, but a mode that overlays either Inceptive or Expectant marking, by virtue of delivering the marker as the cue for the next skill.
This flexibility is what makes Prospective Marking especially useful for chaining and real-time play, providing seamless transitions or meaningful pauses, as needed.
Explanatory Notes (Quick Reference)
Prospective: From prospectus (from prospicere: pro- “forward” + specere “to look”). Marks at coupling, affording the next action; next cue is embedded in current achievement, pre-tuning transition and posture.
Inceptive: From incipere (in- “into” + capere “to take”). Marks the start or transition of a skill; recognizes new coupling or a shift in coupling mid-sequence.
Expectant: From expectare (ex- “out” + spectare “to look at”). Used to punctuate, freeze, or pause—generating anticipation and enabling recalibration.
Terminal: From terminus (“end, boundary, limit”). Marks the final coupling and initiates delivery of the discrete motivator (cookie, toy, etc.).