CPP Training Methods & Positive Reinforcement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'counter-conditioning' used for in a pet care context?
- Teaching a pet to perform a counter-intuitive trick
- Changing a pet's emotional response to a stimulus from negative to positive through repeated pairing with something pleasant (Correct answer)
- Using a physical counter surface during grooming training
- Training a pet using two opposing commands
Correct 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.
Question 2: A dog barks and lunges at other dogs on leash. This behavior is an example of:
- Dominant aggression
- Leash reactivity, often rooted in fear, frustration, or over-arousal (Correct answer)
- Play solicitation behavior
- A trained protection behavior
Correct 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.
Question 3: What is the 'Premack Principle' (also called 'Grandma's Rule') in animal training?
- High-value rewards must be given before asking for a behavior
- A high-probability (preferred) behavior can be used as a reinforcer for a low-probability (less preferred) behavior (Correct answer)
- Training sessions should always end on a success
- Punishment must immediately follow the unwanted behavior
Correct 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).
Question 4: What is 'stimulus control' in animal training?
- The use of stimuli to create fear responses in a pet
- A behavior that reliably occurs in the presence of a specific cue and not in its absence (Correct answer)
- Controlling the environment to prevent unwanted stimuli
- Using a remote-controlled training device
Correct 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.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes 'desensitization' as used in pet training?
- Exposing the pet to a feared stimulus at maximum intensity until it stops reacting
- Gradually exposing the pet to a feared stimulus at low intensity, progressing slowly as the pet remains calm (Correct answer)
- Using punishment each time the pet reacts to a feared stimulus
- Removing the pet from the environment permanently to avoid the feared stimulus
Correct 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.
Question 6: What does 'threshold' mean in the context of fear and reactivity in pets?
- The distance at which a pet can see another animal
- The point at which a pet transitions from calm/curious to reactive/fearful (Correct answer)
- The maximum number of training repetitions per session
- The minimum treat value needed to motivate a pet
Correct 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.
CPP Training Methods & Positive Reinforcement 2
What is 'counter-conditioning' used for in a pet care context?