Study Guide CPDT-KA Exam with
Actual Detailed Answers 2025-2026
Update.
Species Designation - Answer Canis Lupis Familiaris
What does "Tame" mean? - Answer (v) to domesticate; (adj) a domesticated animal which is
not dangerous or frightened of people;
What is "Domestication"? - Answer (v) Adapting an animal (or plant) to life in intimate
association with and to the advantage of humans; (adj- "domestic") An animal that has
undergone extensive behavioral and biological changes resulting from selective breeding over
the course of many generations resulting in tameness
What does "Neoteny" mean? - Answer The retention of immature characteristics in
adulthood
*Many modern dog breeds retain neotenous characteristics.
What does "Phylogeny" mean? - Answer The evolutionary history of an organism
What is "Phylogenetic Behavior" (in dogs)? - Answer Behaviors common to the dog as a
species:
*Food acquisition
*Hazard avoidance, safety/comfort seeking
*Reproductive behaviors
What are "Fixed Action Patterns"? - Answer Innate or phylogenetic behaviors which must be
completed before the animal stops;
Examples: urine marking even if the dog has no urine remaining in system or circling before
laying on a blanket
What is "Ontogenetic Behavior"? - Answer A response to environmental influences. It is
learned, has be rewarded, and can be modified. ie. dog running to name after being fed
previously when name was called
Tempermant - Answer Nature v. Nurture; Learned v. Innate.
, Instinctive Drift - Answer The Breland Effect. The prepotency of strong instinctive behavior
patterns over those which have been conditioned. Wherever an animal had strong instructive
behavior, the organism will drift toward instinctive behavior to the detriment of the conditioned
behavior.
Critical Periods - Answer 3-16 weeks. Socialization window begins to diminish by 16 weeks.
Testosterone - Answer Influences behaviors such as mounting, mating, searching for females,
scent marking, and aggression. If the dog has a history of being reinforced for such behaviors,
that behavior now has a conditioned element and doesn't depend on testosterone.
Female Hormones - Answer Estrogen and progesterone. Estrus twice a year. 20 days
duration. Spaying does not reduce aggression levels in females. Instead may increase.
Neuropsychology - Answer Relationship between the brain and the body.
Engrams - Answer Muscle Memory. Development and storage of familiar motor action. The
neural pathways.
Reticular Activating System (RAS) - Answer Attention center of the brain. Where things are
perceived, processed, and acted upon. Tuning out things that are unimportant.
Limbic System - Answer Network of cells in the brain that integrates instinct and learning.
Also involved emotions such as fear. When active Cerebral Cortex is inactive.
Cerebral Cortex - Answer Cognitive Functions, such as learning and problem solving. When
active, Limbic System is inactive.
Oppositional Reflex - Answer If you pull one way, the dog will pull the other.
Social Hierarchy - Answer Flexible. Subordinate members show submissive behaviors to
dominant members, than dominant individual displays of their super rank. Dominance is not the
same as aggression. Relationships establish over time by numerous interactions.
Phermones - Answer Produced by lactating females are thought to create a sense of well-
being in their puppies.
Baseline Posture - Answer Dog is relaxed. Muscles are fluid and move gracefully.Not too
bold, not too worried.
Actual Detailed Answers 2025-2026
Update.
Species Designation - Answer Canis Lupis Familiaris
What does "Tame" mean? - Answer (v) to domesticate; (adj) a domesticated animal which is
not dangerous or frightened of people;
What is "Domestication"? - Answer (v) Adapting an animal (or plant) to life in intimate
association with and to the advantage of humans; (adj- "domestic") An animal that has
undergone extensive behavioral and biological changes resulting from selective breeding over
the course of many generations resulting in tameness
What does "Neoteny" mean? - Answer The retention of immature characteristics in
adulthood
*Many modern dog breeds retain neotenous characteristics.
What does "Phylogeny" mean? - Answer The evolutionary history of an organism
What is "Phylogenetic Behavior" (in dogs)? - Answer Behaviors common to the dog as a
species:
*Food acquisition
*Hazard avoidance, safety/comfort seeking
*Reproductive behaviors
What are "Fixed Action Patterns"? - Answer Innate or phylogenetic behaviors which must be
completed before the animal stops;
Examples: urine marking even if the dog has no urine remaining in system or circling before
laying on a blanket
What is "Ontogenetic Behavior"? - Answer A response to environmental influences. It is
learned, has be rewarded, and can be modified. ie. dog running to name after being fed
previously when name was called
Tempermant - Answer Nature v. Nurture; Learned v. Innate.
, Instinctive Drift - Answer The Breland Effect. The prepotency of strong instinctive behavior
patterns over those which have been conditioned. Wherever an animal had strong instructive
behavior, the organism will drift toward instinctive behavior to the detriment of the conditioned
behavior.
Critical Periods - Answer 3-16 weeks. Socialization window begins to diminish by 16 weeks.
Testosterone - Answer Influences behaviors such as mounting, mating, searching for females,
scent marking, and aggression. If the dog has a history of being reinforced for such behaviors,
that behavior now has a conditioned element and doesn't depend on testosterone.
Female Hormones - Answer Estrogen and progesterone. Estrus twice a year. 20 days
duration. Spaying does not reduce aggression levels in females. Instead may increase.
Neuropsychology - Answer Relationship between the brain and the body.
Engrams - Answer Muscle Memory. Development and storage of familiar motor action. The
neural pathways.
Reticular Activating System (RAS) - Answer Attention center of the brain. Where things are
perceived, processed, and acted upon. Tuning out things that are unimportant.
Limbic System - Answer Network of cells in the brain that integrates instinct and learning.
Also involved emotions such as fear. When active Cerebral Cortex is inactive.
Cerebral Cortex - Answer Cognitive Functions, such as learning and problem solving. When
active, Limbic System is inactive.
Oppositional Reflex - Answer If you pull one way, the dog will pull the other.
Social Hierarchy - Answer Flexible. Subordinate members show submissive behaviors to
dominant members, than dominant individual displays of their super rank. Dominance is not the
same as aggression. Relationships establish over time by numerous interactions.
Phermones - Answer Produced by lactating females are thought to create a sense of well-
being in their puppies.
Baseline Posture - Answer Dog is relaxed. Muscles are fluid and move gracefully.Not too
bold, not too worried.
