If a dog does not sit on cue, what technique is described?

If a dog does not sit on cue, what technique is described?

• A. Say sit while showing a raised closed fist, praise if the dog responds, then gently push down on the rump with the thumb and index finger, praise when sits.
• B. Yell at the dog.
• C. Ignore the dog.
• D. Punish the dog.

Answer: (A)

This item tests how to train a dog to sit on cue using a hand signal and positive reinforcement. The approach described combines a visual cue (a raised closed fist) with the verbal cue “sit,” so the dog learns to associate both signals with the action. When the dog sits, you immediately praise, reinforcing the behavior and helping the dog understand that the sit response earns a reward. The gentle push on the rump is a light, temporary prompt to guide the dog into the correct position, not a punishment; the goal is for the dog to feel the correct posture and then rely on the cue and praise themselves. Over time, you fade out the physical prompt and continue to reinforce the sit so the behavior becomes reliable on the cue alone. Yelling at the dog, ignoring the dog, or punishing the dog do not teach the desired association between the cue and the action. They can create fear, reduce learning, and damage your relationship with the dog, making it harder for them to respond to cues in the future.

This item tests how to train a dog to sit on cue using a hand signal and positive reinforcement. The approach described combines a visual cue (a raised closed fist) with the verbal cue “sit,” so the dog learns to associate both signals with the action. When the dog sits, you immediately praise, reinforcing the behavior and helping the dog understand that the sit response earns a reward. The gentle push on the rump is a light, temporary prompt to guide the dog into the correct position, not a punishment; the goal is for the dog to feel the correct posture and then rely on the cue and praise themselves. Over time, you fade out the physical prompt and continue to reinforce the sit so the behavior becomes reliable on the cue alone.

Yelling at the dog, ignoring the dog, or punishing the dog do not teach the desired association between the cue and the action. They can create fear, reduce learning, and damage your relationship with the dog, making it harder for them to respond to cues in the future.