Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-
Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 2027
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS || ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Operant conditioning - ANSWER A type of learning where the
consequences that immediately follow a behavior determine the probability
of the behavior being repeated. An example of operant conditioning in dog
training is when we give a treat to a dog for sitting. This increases the
probability that the dog will do this behavior in the future.
2. Pavlovian (classical) conditioning - ANSWER Associative learning where
the pairing of a conditioned and unconditioned stimulus to produce a
unconditioned response can lead to a conditioned response in the presence of
the unconditioned stimulus alone.
3. Thorndike's Law of Effect - ANSWER responses that produce a satisfying
effect in a particular situation become more likely to occur again in that
situation, and responses that produce a discomforting effect become less
likely to occur again in that situation
4. Watson's Little Albert Experiment - ANSWER Controversial classical
conditioning experiment on an infant boy called "Little Albert." Watson was
interested in examining the effects of conditioning on the fear response in
humans
5. B.F. Skinner - ANSWER Behaviorist that developed the theory of operant
conditioning by training pigeons and rats
,6. Ian Dunbar - ANSWER Founder of APDT and promoted positive dog
training
7. Karen Pryor - ANSWER Animal trainer and scientist who published "Don't
Shoot the Dog" explaining the application of operant conditioning
8. Reinforcement - ANSWER in operant conditioning, any event that
strengthens the behavior it follows
9. Stimulus - ANSWER any event or situation that evokes a response
10.primary reinforcer - ANSWER any reinforcer that is naturally reinforcing by
meeting a basic biological need, such as hunger, thirst, or touch
11.secondary reinforcer - ANSWER any reinforcer that becomes reinforcing
after being paired with a primary reinforcer, such as praise, tokens, or gold
stars
12.schedules of reinforcement - ANSWER different patterns of frequency and
timing of reinforcement following desired behavior
13.Shaping - ANSWER A training technique where the trainer selectively
reinforces natural variations in behaviors that are closer to the goal behavior.
The variation in the learner's behavior will move toward the goal behavior as
the trainer reinforces steps along the way.
14.Systematic Desensitization - ANSWER A gradual, controlled exposure to
increasingly intense stimuli to increase the animal's tolerance of the
stimulus. The starting intensity and rate of increase in the intensity should be
slow enough not to provoke an appreciable fear response in the animal.
15.LIMA- Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive - ANSWER A strategy used out
of a set of humane and effective tactics likely to succeed in achieving a
training or behavior change objective. It requires trainers/consultants to
work to increase the use of positive reinforcement and eliminate the use of
punishment when working with animal and human clients.
16.physiology - ANSWER The study of body function
,17.Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - ANSWER (level 1) Physiological Needs,
(level 2) Safety and Security, (level 3) Relationships, Love and Affection,
(level 4) Self Esteem, (level 5) Self Actualization
18.physiological - ANSWER having to do with an organism's physical
processes
19.psychological - ANSWER of, affecting, or arising in the mind; related to the
mental and emotional state of a person.
20.dominance theory - ANSWER The false notion that dogs, by default, will
attempt to achieve social dominance over the owner/handler making it
necessary to use discipline and harsh training methods in dogs.
21.learning - ANSWER The acquisition of new knowledge or behavior through
experience or study (Serpell)
22.Changing Criterion - ANSWER A research design in which the rate of the
target response is progressively changed (up or down). Used when the final
level of the target response is radically different from baseline and likely to
resist change.
23.Ratio strain is a disruption in responding due to - ANSWER when a dog's
pattern of responding begins disrupting because of stretching that ratio too
much.
"overworked and underpaid"
24.Hormones modify behavior by affecting different body systems. Which is
NOT a way that hormones influence behavior?
A. Sensory and/or perceptual mechanisms
B. Development or activity of the central nervous system
C. Influence muscles important in the execution of behavior
D. Enhance operant learning - ANSWER D. Enhance operant learning
25.A stereotypy is:
, A. a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a
particular type of person or thing
B. the persistent repetition of an act, especially by an animal, for no
obvious purpose
C. an exaggerated normal behavior that are exhibited for longer than
normal times
D. a build-up of proteins in the brain that contributes to nerve damage
and eventual loss of brain function - ANSWER B. the persistent
repetition of an act, especially by an animal, for no obvious purpose
26.Choose the best order of implementation when using Positive Reinforcement
to change behaivor:
A. See the target behavior, immediately reward, monitor results
B. Define the target behavior, select appropriate reinforcers, immediately
reward with the reinforcer, monitor results
C. Define target behavior, randomly reward the target behavior, monitor
results
D. Use primary and secondary reinforcers and monitor results -
ANSWER B. Define the target behavior, select appropriate
reinforcers, immediately reward with the reinforcer, monitor results
27.Hormones modify behavior by affecting different body systems. Which is
NOT a way that hormones influence behavior?
A. Sensory and/or perceptual mechanisms
B. Development or activity of the central nervous system
C. Influence muscles important in the execution of behavior
D. Enhance operant learning - ANSWER D. Enhance operant learning
Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA)
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 2027
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS || ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Operant conditioning - ANSWER A type of learning where the
consequences that immediately follow a behavior determine the probability
of the behavior being repeated. An example of operant conditioning in dog
training is when we give a treat to a dog for sitting. This increases the
probability that the dog will do this behavior in the future.
2. Pavlovian (classical) conditioning - ANSWER Associative learning where
the pairing of a conditioned and unconditioned stimulus to produce a
unconditioned response can lead to a conditioned response in the presence of
the unconditioned stimulus alone.
3. Thorndike's Law of Effect - ANSWER responses that produce a satisfying
effect in a particular situation become more likely to occur again in that
situation, and responses that produce a discomforting effect become less
likely to occur again in that situation
4. Watson's Little Albert Experiment - ANSWER Controversial classical
conditioning experiment on an infant boy called "Little Albert." Watson was
interested in examining the effects of conditioning on the fear response in
humans
5. B.F. Skinner - ANSWER Behaviorist that developed the theory of operant
conditioning by training pigeons and rats
,6. Ian Dunbar - ANSWER Founder of APDT and promoted positive dog
training
7. Karen Pryor - ANSWER Animal trainer and scientist who published "Don't
Shoot the Dog" explaining the application of operant conditioning
8. Reinforcement - ANSWER in operant conditioning, any event that
strengthens the behavior it follows
9. Stimulus - ANSWER any event or situation that evokes a response
10.primary reinforcer - ANSWER any reinforcer that is naturally reinforcing by
meeting a basic biological need, such as hunger, thirst, or touch
11.secondary reinforcer - ANSWER any reinforcer that becomes reinforcing
after being paired with a primary reinforcer, such as praise, tokens, or gold
stars
12.schedules of reinforcement - ANSWER different patterns of frequency and
timing of reinforcement following desired behavior
13.Shaping - ANSWER A training technique where the trainer selectively
reinforces natural variations in behaviors that are closer to the goal behavior.
The variation in the learner's behavior will move toward the goal behavior as
the trainer reinforces steps along the way.
14.Systematic Desensitization - ANSWER A gradual, controlled exposure to
increasingly intense stimuli to increase the animal's tolerance of the
stimulus. The starting intensity and rate of increase in the intensity should be
slow enough not to provoke an appreciable fear response in the animal.
15.LIMA- Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive - ANSWER A strategy used out
of a set of humane and effective tactics likely to succeed in achieving a
training or behavior change objective. It requires trainers/consultants to
work to increase the use of positive reinforcement and eliminate the use of
punishment when working with animal and human clients.
16.physiology - ANSWER The study of body function
,17.Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - ANSWER (level 1) Physiological Needs,
(level 2) Safety and Security, (level 3) Relationships, Love and Affection,
(level 4) Self Esteem, (level 5) Self Actualization
18.physiological - ANSWER having to do with an organism's physical
processes
19.psychological - ANSWER of, affecting, or arising in the mind; related to the
mental and emotional state of a person.
20.dominance theory - ANSWER The false notion that dogs, by default, will
attempt to achieve social dominance over the owner/handler making it
necessary to use discipline and harsh training methods in dogs.
21.learning - ANSWER The acquisition of new knowledge or behavior through
experience or study (Serpell)
22.Changing Criterion - ANSWER A research design in which the rate of the
target response is progressively changed (up or down). Used when the final
level of the target response is radically different from baseline and likely to
resist change.
23.Ratio strain is a disruption in responding due to - ANSWER when a dog's
pattern of responding begins disrupting because of stretching that ratio too
much.
"overworked and underpaid"
24.Hormones modify behavior by affecting different body systems. Which is
NOT a way that hormones influence behavior?
A. Sensory and/or perceptual mechanisms
B. Development or activity of the central nervous system
C. Influence muscles important in the execution of behavior
D. Enhance operant learning - ANSWER D. Enhance operant learning
25.A stereotypy is:
, A. a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a
particular type of person or thing
B. the persistent repetition of an act, especially by an animal, for no
obvious purpose
C. an exaggerated normal behavior that are exhibited for longer than
normal times
D. a build-up of proteins in the brain that contributes to nerve damage
and eventual loss of brain function - ANSWER B. the persistent
repetition of an act, especially by an animal, for no obvious purpose
26.Choose the best order of implementation when using Positive Reinforcement
to change behaivor:
A. See the target behavior, immediately reward, monitor results
B. Define the target behavior, select appropriate reinforcers, immediately
reward with the reinforcer, monitor results
C. Define target behavior, randomly reward the target behavior, monitor
results
D. Use primary and secondary reinforcers and monitor results -
ANSWER B. Define the target behavior, select appropriate
reinforcers, immediately reward with the reinforcer, monitor results
27.Hormones modify behavior by affecting different body systems. Which is
NOT a way that hormones influence behavior?
A. Sensory and/or perceptual mechanisms
B. Development or activity of the central nervous system
C. Influence muscles important in the execution of behavior
D. Enhance operant learning - ANSWER D. Enhance operant learning
