Canine Behavior & Body Language Flashcards
7 cards from real CDT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Canine Behavior & Body Language flashcards as text
A dog that barks, lunges, and strains at the leash when seeing other dogs but plays well off-leash is most likely exhibiting:
Answer: Leash reactivity often rooted in frustration or anxiety from restricted movement
Leash reactivity commonly stems from frustration at restricted approach or anxiety amplified by the leash's constraint.
Which neurotransmitter/hormone system is most closely associated with the formation of social bonds and affiliative behavior in dogs?
Answer: Oxytocin
Oxytocin is released during positive social interactions and is strongly linked to bonding behavior in dogs and humans.
A dog that paces, pants, drools, and whines only when left alone is showing signs consistent with:
Answer: Separation anxiety or separation-related distress
Pacing, panting, drooling, and vocalization exclusively during owner absence are hallmark signs of separation-related distress.
What does a dog typically communicate with a 'helicopter tail'—a tail that rotates in a circular motion?
Answer: High excitement combined with positive social eagerness
A helicopter or circular tail wag is generally associated with intense, joyful excitement during greetings.
When assessing a dog bite for severity, which scale is most widely used in the field of applied animal behavior?
Answer: The Dunbar Bite Scale
Dr. Ian Dunbar's Bite Scale (Levels 1–6) is the most widely referenced standardized tool for categorizing bite severity.
A fearful dog that is forced to remain in a frightening situation and eventually stops reacting is said to have undergone:
Answer: Flooding (response prevention)
Flooding involves forced exposure without escape until the animal stops responding, but it does not resolve the underlying fear and risks worsening it.
Which of the following is an example of a 'displacement behavior' in a dog during a training session?
Answer: The dog sniffs the ground or scratches itself when confused or conflicted
Displacement behaviors like sniffing or scratching occur out of context and signal internal conflict or stress during training.