CDT Positive Reinforcement Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the term for the process of teaching a dog to associate a neutral stimulus (like a clicker) with a primary reinforcer?
- Operant conditioning
- Classical conditioning (Correct answer)
- Counter-conditioning
- Systematic desensitization
Correct answer: Classical conditioning
Classical conditioning pairs a neutral stimulus with a primary reinforcer until the neutral stimulus elicits the same response, which is how clicker training works.
Question 2: A dog consistently sits when asked but only in the kitchen. What training concept does this illustrate?
- Stimulus control
- Stimulus discrimination
- Stimulus generalization failure (Correct answer)
- Context dependency
Correct answer: Stimulus generalization failure
Stimulus generalization failure occurs when a dog performs a behavior in one context but hasn't learned to generalize it to other environments.
Question 3: Which reinforcement schedule produces behavior most resistant to extinction?
- Continuous reinforcement
- Fixed ratio
- Variable ratio (Correct answer)
- Fixed interval
Correct answer: Variable ratio
Variable ratio schedules produce the highest response rates and greatest resistance to extinction because reinforcement is unpredictable.
Question 4: When fading a lure, the recommended sequence is to:
- Remove the lure immediately after the first successful repetition
- Fade the lure gradually over several sessions before adding the cue (Correct answer)
- Add the verbal cue first, then fade the lure
- Keep the lure indefinitely to maintain reliability
Correct answer: Fade the lure gradually over several sessions before adding the cue
The lure should be faded gradually over multiple repetitions and sessions so the dog learns to perform the behavior without food in hand before the cue is added.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a 'keep going signal' (KGS) in positive reinforcement training?
- To mark the exact moment of the correct behavior
- To tell the dog it is on the right track and reinforcement is coming (Correct answer)
- To indicate the training session is ending
- To redirect a dog away from an unwanted behavior
Correct answer: To tell the dog it is on the right track and reinforcement is coming
A keep going signal (KGS) lets the dog know it is performing correctly and that reinforcement will follow if it continues.
Question 6: In shaping, what does 'rate of reinforcement' refer to?
- How valuable the treat is to the dog
- How frequently the dog earns reinforcement per unit of time (Correct answer)
- The ratio of treats to praise used in a session
- The schedule on which reinforcement is delivered
Correct answer: How frequently the dog earns reinforcement per unit of time
Rate of reinforcement refers to how often the dog earns a reward per minute, which directly affects learning speed and motivation.
Question 7: A trainer wants to increase the duration of a 'sit-stay.' Which approach best follows shaping principles?
- Ask for a 30-second stay immediately and reward only full successes
- Increase duration in large increments to challenge the dog
- Reinforce progressively longer stays while rarely exceeding the dog's current threshold (Correct answer)
- Withhold reinforcement until the dog holds for the final target duration
Correct answer: Reinforce progressively longer stays while rarely exceeding the dog's current threshold
Shaping duration means reinforcing slightly longer stays incrementally, keeping the dog successful by not exceeding its current capability too quickly.
CDT Positive Reinforcement Methods 2
What is the term for the process of teaching a dog to associate a neutral stimulus (like a clicker) with a primary reinforcer?