Dog Training Canine Learning Theory Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real Dog Training practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Dog Training Canine Learning Theory Questions and Answers flashcards as text
What is latent learning in the context of canine behavior?
Answer: Learning that occurs without obvious reinforcement and is demonstrated later when motivation arises
Latent learning is knowledge acquired without reinforcement that remains hidden until the animal has a reason to demonstrate it.
Which concept describes a dog's decreasing response to a conditioned stimulus when it is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus?
Answer: Extinction
Extinction in classical conditioning occurs when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus, causing the conditioned response to weaken.
What is the function of a conditioned reinforcer (secondary reinforcer) in dog training?
Answer: It is a previously neutral stimulus that has been paired with a primary reinforcer to signal reward
A conditioned reinforcer is a stimulus that gains reinforcing properties by being consistently paired with a primary reinforcer, such as a clicker paired with treats.
What does the concept of 'learned helplessness' describe in animal behavior?
Answer: An animal stops trying to escape aversive situations after learning its actions have no effect
Learned helplessness occurs when an animal exposed to inescapable aversive events eventually stops attempting to avoid them, even when escape becomes possible.
In shaping behavior, what is the role of successive approximations?
Answer: Reinforcing behaviors that progressively get closer to the desired final behavior
Successive approximations involve reinforcing incremental steps that gradually resemble the target behavior until the complete behavior is achieved.
What is the significance of the critical socialization period in puppies?
Answer: It is a developmental window when puppies are most receptive to forming positive associations with new experiences
The critical socialization period, typically between 3 and 14 weeks of age, is when puppies are most open to accepting new stimuli, making positive exposure during this time crucial for well-adjusted adult behavior.