Multiple Choice
1. According to the seminar, who decides what the message actually was in a communication exchange?
Correct answer: C
“You don’t decide what the message is… it’s the receiver’s perspective.”
2. What does “congruence” refer to in communication?
Correct answer: B
Explanation of congruence as how closely words match what the rest of the body is communicating.
3. Which component of communication is most salient to dogs?
Correct answer: C
Dogs notice physical movement, environment, sound, and smell before words.
4. What does the term “saliency” mean in the context of training?
Correct answer: C
Saliency is defined as how much something stands out from the surrounding environment.
5. Why are whistles and clickers often more effective than verbal cues?
Correct answer: C
Whistles and clickers are uncommon sounds and therefore more noticeable.
6. What is “blocking” in dog training?
Correct answer: C
Old, familiar cues override new cues when presented at the same time.
7. Why should trainers avoid speaking and moving at the same time when teaching a cue?
Correct answer: B
Dogs attend to body language first; movement overrides verbal cues.
8. Which posture is most likely to increase pressure on a dog?
Correct answer: C
Leaning forward discourages engagement and increases pressure.
True or False
9. A dog that performs a cue at home should automatically perform it in public.
Answer: False
Context and distractions significantly affect performance.
10. Dogs primarily rely on verbal language to understand the world.
Answer: False
Dogs’ primary communication is non-verbal and silent.
11. Giving a dog a treat always reduces social pressure.
Answer: False
Treats can increase pressure by forcing engagement.
12. Rolling onto the back always means a dog wants belly rubs.
Answer: False
Often a stress or appeasement signal.
Short Answer
13. In your own words, explain what “be curious, not furious” means.
Encourages problem-solving instead of punishment when behaviour breaks down.
14. Why is it important to say a cue, pause, and then move?
Prevents body movement from overshadowing the verbal cue.
15. Name two things that may be more salient to a dog than a verbal command.
Examples include movement, smells, sounds, people, animals, environment.
16. Why might a dog that loves walks still run away when the harness appears? The harness predicts restraint and leaning pressure, not the walk itself.
Scenario / Application
17. If a handler says “sit” while bending forward and pointing. Later, the dog does not respond to the verbal cue alone. What training principle explains this?
Correct concept: Blocking
18. A dog backs away when approached. According to the seminar, what should the human do?
Correct response: Step away as well
Mirroring reduces pressure.
Reflection / Understanding
19. Why is it incorrect to say “I wasn’t threatening the dog” after a negative reaction?
The receiver determines the message, not the sender.
20. How does context influence learning and behaviour?
Location, timing, environment, and past experiences shape responses.
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