Timing is everything

Dogs live in the present. They learn by association, and association windows are short. A second late and you’re reinforcing the next thing your dog does — not the thing you meant.

Train yourself to mark the moment with a clean cue ("Yes" works beautifully) the instant the behaviour happens. The reward can arrive a beat later.

You will fail to mark perfectly. That’s fine. Aim for "often, in time" — not "always, in time".