This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. TEDxJaffa partnered with The British Council (http://www.britishcouncil.org.il/en), which connects people with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the UK. BIRAX (http://www.britishcouncil.org.il/en/programmes/science/birax) (the Britain Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership) is a £10 million initiative of the British Council and British Embassy in Israel that funds cutting-edge research using stem cell therapies to tackle some of the world’s most dreadful diseases.

Marker Training is a way to train dogs and build better communication with them, and it works great with people, too! Using positive reinforcement and the science of how all animals learn can change every relationship in your life: with your dog, your cat, your spouse or your child. Teaching this way focuses on what the learner does right and gets you more of that; it deepens the bond, builds cooperation and helps us to understand our learner in a new way, whether he is a dog, a person or another species. Feel free to try this at home!

Noa Szefler, 32, ​is a co-​founder and ​the Director of Academics at the Marker Training Institute of dog training and behavior. She​ is​ also​ a certified assistance dog instructor for people with disabilities. Noa is a 13-year veteran in the dog training field, focusing on the special bond between people and their dogs and the ways in which people and dogs help each other.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)