Module 1

Question 1

What is a Conditioned punisher

Answer 1

Verbal marker- (no!) used to instantly punish unacceptable behaviours. Through conditioning, “No!” Has become punishing to the dog.

Question 2

Conditioned reinforcer

Answer 2

Verbal marker that is used to instantly reinforce the exact behaviour that you want, eg. “Yes!” and “good!” Through conditioning these markers have become reinforcing to the dog.

Question 3

Consequence

Answer 3

The experience the dog receives when it responds to a command (antecedent), eg. receives food when sits on command; receives nothing if doesn’t respond correctly.

Question 4

Counter conditioning

Answer 4

Correcting an undesirable behaviour in the dog.

Question 5

Cue/cues

Answer 5

A physical movement that the handler may do consciously or unconsciously that causes the dog to respond.

Question 6

Fading

Answer 6

The process of gradually withdrawing the use of lure, eg. fade out the food reward in heel work.

Question 7

Lure/luring

Answer 7

Using a motivating object such as food or a toy to encourage the dog to perform a desired behaviour.

Question 8

Marker

Answer 8

Word used to mark the moment when the dog shows a desirable or undesirable behaviour.

Question 9

Non-reinforcement marker

Answer 9

A verbal marker (wrong..) which is used to tell the dog when it is making a mistake

Question 10

Praise

Answer 10

Verbal or tactile reinforcement of a desirable behaviour

Question 11

Shaping

Answer 11

Training and reinforcing small successive steps towards the direction of a final behaviour. Also known as “successive approximation”

Question 12

Stimulus

Answer 12

Anything that provokes a response from a dog eg people, animals, situations, places, objects, movements.

Question 13

Waiting the dog out

Answer 13

Allowing the dog enough time after a command is given to work out the desired response. Usually a maximum of ten seconds

Question 14

The following equipment is used during general training

Answer 14

Collar
Lead
Long line
Check chain
Food
Tug toy
Dumbbell 

Keep equipment clean and dry

Question 15

Collar

Answer 15

The collar is used for control and attaching leads and long lines

Adjust the collar so that two flat fingers can comfortably slide between the collar and the dogs neck. However make sure it can’t be pulled off over the dogs head

Question 16

The lead

Answer 16

The lead is used for control and safety during training

Question 17

The long line

Answer 17

Is used for control and safety during training.

It is useful when the dog needs to move around but we still need an element of control

Question 18

Mistreatment or abuse of dogs -Police Policy

Answer 18

Mistreatment or abuse of a police dog is unacceptable. Mistreatment includes

• kicking, punching or hitting a dog to inflict injury
• failure to provide the standard of care as directed by a dog section supervisor.
• failure to provide the standard of care identified in dog section training manuals

Question 19

Positive reinforcement -introduction

Answer 19

Motivational training generally leads to a motivated and willing dog and an improved bond between the handler and dog.

A strong bond is key to building a high degree of responsiveness to the handler and therefore, high standards.

Motivational rewards based training means we focus on

• positive reinforcement (rewarding a desirable behaviour)
• negative punishment (withholding reward or removing something pleasant such as a toy from the dog)

Question 20

What s an antecedent command?

Answer 20

A command given to the dog to display the required behaviour.