Aggression Assessment & Management Flashcards
7 cards from real CDT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Aggression Assessment & Management flashcards as text
A dog shows aggression toward people only when on leash but is friendly off leash. This phenomenon is commonly called:
Answer: Leash reactivity
Leash reactivity occurs when a dog feels frustrated or trapped by the leash, unable to flee or greet normally, which escalates into aggressive displays.
The 'threshold' concept in aggression management refers to:
Answer: The stimulus intensity at which a dog transitions from tolerable stress to reactive behavior
Threshold is the tipping point where a dog moves from manageable arousal to a reactive or aggressive state in response to a stimulus.
When a dog is 'over threshold,' the BEST immediate action for a trainer to take is:
Answer: Increase distance from the trigger and allow the dog to calm down
Removing the dog from proximity to the trigger allows the stress response to subside so the dog can return to a trainable state.
Desensitization and counter-conditioning (DS/CC) for an aggressive dog involves:
Answer: Gradually exposing the dog to the trigger at sub-threshold levels while pairing it with something positive
DS/CC pairs sub-threshold exposure to the trigger with high-value reinforcement to change the dog's emotional response over time.
A dog that has learned 'nothing works to stop the threat except biting' and skips warning signals has likely developed which pattern?
Answer: Learned aggression with suppressed warning signals
When previous warning signals (growling, snapping) have been punished away, dogs may skip to biting because it is the only effective response remaining.
Which professional should a CDT ALWAYS refer a client to before beginning behavior modification for aggression?
Answer: A veterinarian, to rule out medical causes of aggression
A veterinary evaluation is essential first because medical conditions such as pain, thyroid dysfunction, or neurological issues can cause or worsen aggression.
Predatory aggression differs from other types of aggression primarily because it:
Answer: Is typically silent, lacks warning signals, and is triggered by movement
Predatory aggression is driven by the predatory motor sequence and is usually silent, sudden, and triggered by fast-moving stimuli rather than social threat.