CDT Positive Reinforcement Methods 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior' (DRI)?
- Reinforcing a behavior that physically cannot occur at the same time as the unwanted behavior (Correct answer)
- Reinforcing the absence of an unwanted behavior for a set period
- Reducing reinforcement for unwanted behavior while ignoring others
- Reinforcing any behavior other than the unwanted one
Correct answer: Reinforcing a behavior that physically cannot occur at the same time as the unwanted behavior
DRI reinforces a behavior that is physically incompatible with the problem behavior, so both behaviors cannot occur simultaneously.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'over-shadowing' in dog training?
- A more salient stimulus prevents the dog from attending to a less salient stimulus (Correct answer)
- The trainer dominates the session leaving no room for the dog to offer behaviors
- A high-value reward overshadows praise, making praise ineffective
- A dog ignores a cue because it has been repeated too many times
Correct answer: A more salient stimulus prevents the dog from attending to a less salient stimulus
Over-shadowing occurs when a more noticeable stimulus (e.g., a hand signal) prevents the dog from learning a less noticeable stimulus (e.g., a verbal cue).
Question 3: A dog that no longer responds to a previously reliable cue is said to have experienced:
- Extinction burst
- Learned irrelevance
- Stimulus control breakdown (Correct answer)
- Negative punishment
Correct answer: Stimulus control breakdown
Stimulus control breakdown means the cue no longer reliably predicts the behavior, often due to inconsistent reinforcement or cue poisoning.
Question 4: What does 'latent inhibition' mean in the context of dog training?
- A dog inhibits barking due to previous punishment
- A previously irrelevant stimulus is harder to condition because the dog learned to ignore it (Correct answer)
- The dog delays responding to a cue due to low motivation
- A trained behavior disappears without reinforcement over time
Correct answer: A previously irrelevant stimulus is harder to condition because the dog learned to ignore it
Latent inhibition describes the difficulty of conditioning a stimulus the animal has previously experienced as irrelevant or meaningless.
Question 5: In positive reinforcement training, what is 'errorless learning'?
- Training sessions in which the dog makes no mistakes because criteria are set so the dog is always successful (Correct answer)
- A method that uses punishment to prevent errors from forming habits
- Allowing the dog unlimited attempts until it succeeds
- Using a no-reward marker so errors are silently noted
Correct answer: Training sessions in which the dog makes no mistakes because criteria are set so the dog is always successful
Errorless learning sets the training environment and criteria so the dog is nearly always successful, minimizing frustration and building confidence.
Question 6: When using a food lure to teach 'down,' the trainer should primarily move the lure:
- Straight forward from the dog's nose along the floor
- Upward and back to create a bow first
- Downward and inward toward the dog's chest (Correct answer)
- Rapidly away from the dog to encourage chasing
Correct answer: Downward and inward toward the dog's chest
Moving the lure down and slightly in toward the chest encourages the dog to fold its elbows to the ground into a down position.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a 'no-reward marker' (NRM) in positive reinforcement training?
- To punish the dog for performing the wrong behavior
- To tell the dog the response was incorrect and another attempt should be made (Correct answer)
- To end the training session after a mistake
- To replace the clicker when a dog is afraid of sounds
Correct answer: To tell the dog the response was incorrect and another attempt should be made
A no-reward marker (NRM) is a neutral signal that informs the dog it did not earn reinforcement, prompting it to try again without adding fear or punishment.
CDT Positive Reinforcement Methods 3
What is 'differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior' (DRI)?