Training Methods & Positive Reinforcement Flashcards
6 cards from real CPP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Training Methods & Positive Reinforcement flashcards as text
What is 'counter-conditioning' used for in a pet care context?
Answer: Changing a pet's emotional response to a stimulus from negative to positive through repeated pairing with something pleasant
Counter-conditioning pairs a feared or disliked stimulus with a positive experience, gradually shifting the animal's emotional association from negative to positive.
A dog barks and lunges at other dogs on leash. This behavior is an example of:
Answer: Leash reactivity, often rooted in fear, frustration, or over-arousal
Leash reactivity is a common behavioral issue where the physical constraint of the leash amplifies the dog's arousal or frustration when seeing other dogs.
What is the 'Premack Principle' (also called 'Grandma's Rule') in animal training?
Answer: A high-probability (preferred) behavior can be used as a reinforcer for a low-probability (less preferred) behavior
The Premack Principle uses access to preferred activities (play, sniffing) as rewards for completing less preferred behaviors (sit, come).
What is 'stimulus control' in animal training?
Answer: A behavior that reliably occurs in the presence of a specific cue and not in its absence
A behavior under stimulus control is performed consistently when the cue is given and not offered randomly, indicating the animal has truly learned the cue-behavior association.
Which of the following best describes 'desensitization' as used in pet training?
Answer: Gradually exposing the pet to a feared stimulus at low intensity, progressing slowly as the pet remains calm
Systematic desensitization uses a carefully graded exposure hierarchy, always keeping the pet below its threshold to allow calm, positive experiences.
What does 'threshold' mean in the context of fear and reactivity in pets?
Answer: The point at which a pet transitions from calm/curious to reactive/fearful
Threshold is the tipping point in arousal level — working 'under threshold' means the pet is still able to learn and respond to cues.