6

Question 1

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 1

Negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by removing something aversive when the desired behavior is achieved.

Example: A dog learns to sit to avoid pressure on its body when pushed down.

Question 2

What is a continuous schedule of reinforcement?

Answer 2

A continuous schedule provides reinforcement after each successful task, such as giving a treat every time the dog sits on command.

Question 3

What is an intermittent schedule of reinforcement?

Answer 3

An intermittent schedule provides reinforcement after a varying number of successful tasks, which is best for maintaining performance of known tasks.

Question 4

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 4

Positive reinforcement involves providing something of value to strengthen behavior, such as food or attention.

The timing of reinforcement can influence its value.

Question 5

What is punishment in behavior modification?

Answer 5

Punishment is used to suppress behavior and make it less likely to occur again, with two forms defined by whether something is added or taken away.

Question 6

What is negative punishment?

Answer 6

Negative punishment involves withholding something wanted to suppress ongoing behavior, which can lead to frustration.

Example: Not giving a treat for a delayed or sloppy sit.

Question 7

What is positive punishment?

Answer 7

Positive punishment is the application of something aversive to suppress ongoing behavior in the future.

Example: Shouting at an animal to stop a particular behavior.

Question 8

How is punishment defined?

Answer 8

Punishment is defined by its long-term impact on behavior, not its immediate effect.

Question 9

What can happen when shouting at a dog for attention-seeking behavior?

Answer 9

Shouting may reinforce the behavior in the long run, as the dog receives attention.

Question 10

What is the difference between obedience and well-behavedness?

Answer 10

Obedience involves following specific cues, while well-behavedness arises from general environmental cues without overt instructions.

Question 11

What is an example of well-behavedness in dogs?

Answer 11

A dog sitting in anticipation of a meal without being asked is considered well-behaved.

Question 12

How can positive reinforcement affect behavior problems in dogs?

Answer 12

Owners who use positive reinforcement are less likely to report behavior problems in their dogs.

Question 13

What are the risks associated with positive punishment?

Answer 13

Positive punishment can damage the relationship between the animal and owner, leading to anxiety in the animal.

Question 14

What is ‘one-shot learning’ in the context of aversives?

Answer 14

One-shot learning refers to the phenomenon where a single bad experience can create a strong aversive association.

Question 15

What are the arguments against using aversives?

Answer 15

Aversives may stop unwanted behavior but do not encourage desirable behavior, and there are usually ethical alternatives available.

Question 16

What is the effect of training on cues?

Answer 16

Training may lead to the generation of cues that negate the need to apply an aversive.

Question 17

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 17

Negative reinforcement requires some aversion, even if mild, to encourage compliance.

Question 18

What is a continuous schedule of reinforcement?

Answer 18

Reinforcing each successful task, such as providing a treat after each time the owner gives the signal to sit and the dog sits.

Question 19

What are the two types of intermittent schedules?

Answer 19

Intermittent schedules are divided into ratio and interval schedules.

Question 20

What is a ratio schedule?

Answer 20

Reinforcement is given after either a fixed or variable number of repetitions of the task.

Question 21

What is an interval schedule?

Answer 21

Reinforcement is given a fixed time after the animal performed the task.

Question 22

What is the impact of withholding reinforcement?

Answer 22

Withholding reinforcement may reduce the tendency for the dog to try to perform the behavior.

Question 23

What is the difference between punishment and reinforcement?

Answer 23

Punishment does not direct the animal towards a specific behavioral goal; it simply indicates that the current action is not beneficial.

Question 24

What is positive punishment?

Answer 24

The application of something the animal does not like to suppress ongoing behavior in the future.

Question 25

What is negative punishment?

Answer 25

Involves the withholding of something that is wanted to suppress ongoing behavior.

Question 26

How can negative punishment occur during training?

Answer 26

Every time a trainer does not give a reward anticipated by the animal, they are applying negative punishment.

Question 27

What is associative learning?

Answer 27

When a behavior consistently occurs with a particular consequence, the animal starts to predict the behavior that will lead to that consequence.

Question 28

What is the relationship between positive reinforcement and behavior problems?

Answer 28

Owners who use positive reinforcement are less likely to report behavior problems in their dogs.

Question 29

What are the risks of using positive punishment?

Answer 29

It may damage the relationship between the animal and the owner, leading to anxiety in the animal.

Question 30

What is the association between positive punishment and aggressive behaviors?

Answer 30

Positive punishment may increase the risk of problem behavior and aggressive behaviors towards handlers.

Question 31

What is a stronger reinforcer than food in certain situations?

Answer 31

A game which facilitates running and chasing is likely to be a stronger reinforcer than food in this situation.

Question 32

What should be considered when recalling a dog?

Answer 32

Consider the distance the dog is being asked to recall and the level of difficulty associated with the environment.

Question 33

What is the advised approach for training in challenging environments?

Answer 33

Start training in low-distraction environments and gradually increase the level of difficulty while managing the risk of errors.

Question 34

What is behavioral redirection?

Answer 34

A technique where the problematic behavior is still allowed but is increasingly reinforced when displayed towards more selected targets.

Question 35

Give an example of behavioral redirection in cats.

Answer 35

Training cats to use a scratch post rather than the furniture for scratching.

Question 36

What is often at the heart of problem behaviors in animals?

Answer 36

The emotional element is often at the heart of the problem.

Question 37

What might a cat's hissing and biting indicate?

Answer 37

It might be responding out of pain or a fear of pain associated with previous experiences.

Question 38

What is a more efficient treatment focus for behavioral issues?

Answer 38

Focusing on and managing the respective emotion rather than simply changing the behavior.

Question 39

What are the two main approaches to changing emotional responses?

Answer 39

Changing the intensity of the emotion or changing the actual emotion associated with the context.

Question 40

What is critical to appreciate when changing emotional responses?

Answer 40

It is not so much what the animal does, but how it feels that we are looking to change.

Question 41

What are two common exercises taught for emotional control?

Answer 41

Impulse control and frustration tolerance.

Question 42

What is a key element of skill development exercises?

Answer 42

The animal learns without a specific cue to change its behavior.

Question 43

What is the purpose of redirecting animal behavior?

Answer 43

To motivate the animal to engage in a desired behavior rather than a problematic one, thus redirecting the behavior away from the problem context. ## Footnote A common example in cats involves training them to use a scratch post rather than the furniture for scratching.

Question 44

What is often at the heart of problem behaviors in animals?

Answer 44

The emotional element is often at the heart of the problem. ## Footnote For example, a cat that hisses and bites when petted may be responding out of pain or fear of pain.

Question 45

What is the focus of treatment for emotional responses in animals?

Answer 45

It is often more efficient to focus on managing the respective emotion rather than simply changing the behavior.

Question 46

What is impulse control in animal training?

Answer 46

Impulse control is a technique used to help animals make better decisions by acting less impulsively. ## Footnote This can be assessed in dogs using the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale (DIAS).

Question 47

How can teaching self-settle help with impulsivity in animals?

Answer 47

Teaching animals to self-settle when they want something can help them become less impulsive overall.

Question 48

What is frustration tolerance in animal training?

Answer 48

Frustration tolerance involves teaching animals to cope with frustration responses rather than acting quickly. ## Footnote This requires careful exposure to situations the animal can cope with.

Question 49

What is the risk of flooding in frustration tolerance training?

Answer 49

Flooding can lead to ethical and welfare concerns and may cause aggressive behavior in animals.

Question 50

What are some exercises to teach frustration tolerance?

Answer 50

Exercises can include self-control with delayed rewards, coping with unmet expectations, and managing barrier frustration.

Question 51

What should be monitored during frustration tolerance training?

Answer 51

It is important to pay attention to how aroused the animal becomes and how it copes with that arousal.