Dog Training Behavior Problem Solving 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dog barks excessively when left alone but is quiet when the owner is home. What is the most likely cause?
- Separation anxiety (Correct answer)
- Territorial aggression
- Poor diet
- Hearing loss
Correct answer: Separation anxiety
Vocalization triggered specifically by the owner's absence is a classic sign of separation anxiety.
Question 2: What is the best first step to address a dog that jumps on guests?
- Knee the dog in the chest
- Ignore the jumping and reward four-on-the-floor (Correct answer)
- Yell 'no' loudly
- Lock the dog away during visits
Correct answer: Ignore the jumping and reward four-on-the-floor
Removing attention for jumping and rewarding calm, grounded behavior teaches the dog a better way to greet.
Question 3: A dog growls when approached while eating. This behavior is called:
- Redirected aggression
- Resource guarding (Correct answer)
- Fear imprinting
- Displacement
Correct answer: Resource guarding
Guarding food or objects from perceived threats is known as resource guarding.
Question 4: Which approach best reduces leash reactivity toward other dogs?
- Tightening the leash and pulling away
- Counter-conditioning at a sub-threshold distance (Correct answer)
- Allowing nose-to-nose greetings immediately
- Punishing the dog when it lunges
Correct answer: Counter-conditioning at a sub-threshold distance
Pairing the sight of other dogs with rewards while staying under threshold gradually changes the emotional response.
Question 5: A puppy chews furniture when teething. What is the most appropriate solution?
- Provide appropriate chew toys and redirect (Correct answer)
- Apply bitter spray and stop supervising
- Crate the puppy 12 hours a day
- Withhold food until chewing stops
Correct answer: Provide appropriate chew toys and redirect
Teething puppies need acceptable outlets, so redirecting to chew toys meets the need appropriately.
Question 6: Digging in the yard is often best resolved by:
- Filling holes with the dog's feces
- Providing more exercise and a designated digging area (Correct answer)
- Never letting the dog outside again
- Spraying the dog with water each time
Correct answer: Providing more exercise and a designated digging area
Digging frequently stems from boredom or energy, so exercise plus a sanctioned digging spot redirects the behavior.
Question 7: What does 'flooding' refer to in behavior modification, and why is it discouraged?
- Gradual exposure that builds confidence
- Overwhelming exposure that can worsen fear (Correct answer)
- Rewarding calm behavior repeatedly
- Using water to interrupt behavior
Correct answer: Overwhelming exposure that can worsen fear
Flooding forces a dog to face a full-intensity trigger, which often intensifies fear rather than reducing it.
Dog Training Behavior Problem Solving 2
A dog barks excessively when left alone but is quiet when the owner is home.
What is the most likely cause?