Socialization and Environmental Exposure Flashcards
7 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 7 Socialization and Environmental Exposure flashcards as text
What is the primary socialization window for puppies during which exposure has the greatest long-term impact?
Answer: 3 to 14 weeks of age
The primary socialization period is approximately 3 to 14 weeks, when the puppy's brain is most receptive to forming positive associations with people, animals, and environments.
Which behavioral process occurs when a dog stops responding to a neutral stimulus after repeated exposure with no consequence?
Answer: Habituation
Habituation is the decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated, non-consequential exposure, allowing dogs to stop reacting to irrelevant stimuli.
During the fear imprint period (approximately 8–10 weeks), a trainer's best approach is to:
Answer: Keep experiences positive and avoid traumatic events
During the fear imprint period, any traumatic experience can have a lasting negative effect, so all exposures should be kept positive and low-stress.
What is systematic desensitization?
Answer: Gradually exposing a dog to a feared stimulus starting at a very low intensity and slowly increasing it
Systematic desensitization involves presenting the feared stimulus at a sub-threshold level and gradually increasing intensity while keeping the dog relaxed and below a fear reaction.
Counter-conditioning in dog training is best described as:
Answer: Changing a dog's emotional response to a stimulus by pairing it with something positive
Counter-conditioning changes the dog's conditioned emotional response by repeatedly pairing the previously feared or disliked stimulus with something the dog values, like high-value treats.
Which socialization technique involves pairing a novel or mildly concerning stimulus with high-value food before the dog reacts negatively?
Answer: Classical counter-conditioning
Classical counter-conditioning pairs the neutral or mildly aversive stimulus with something highly rewarding, building a positive conditioned emotional response before a fear reaction can form.
What does it mean when a dog is described as 'over threshold' during a socialization session?
Answer: The dog is too aroused or fearful to learn effectively
Over threshold means the dog's stress or arousal level is too high for learning to occur; the dog is reacting rather than thinking, making training and socialization ineffective at that moment.