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Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Certification Practice Test

Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Certification Practice Test

Here’s a 50-question multiple-choice practice test designed to help prepare for the Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) exam.

This test covers key areas from the CPDT-KA test domains, such as:

Learning Theory, Instruction Skills, Ethology, Equipment, Animal Husbandry, and Business Practices.

Good luck!

Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) Test

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Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
What is the term for increasing a behavior by removing an aversive stimulus?
A
Positive reinforcement
B
Negative reinforcement
C
Positive punishment
D
Negative punishment
Question 2
The four quadrants of operant conditioning include:
A
Habituation, sensitization, reinforcement, punishment
B
Positive/negative reinforcement and positive/negative punishment
C
Shaping, chaining, extinction, reinforcement
D
Operant, classical, latent, observational
Question 3
What is the best method to teach a new behavior using clicker training?
A
Luring
B
Flooding
C
Positive punishment
D
Desensitization
Question 4
Which method helps reduce a dog’s fear through gradual exposure to the trigger?
A
Flooding
B
Positive reinforcement
C
Desensitization
D
Habituation
Question 5
What is a conditioned reinforcer?
A
A naturally reinforcing stimulus
B
A primary reinforcer
C
A stimulus that gains value through learning
D
A punishment tool
Question 6
Which learning theory best explains Pavlov’s experiments?
A
Operant conditioning
B
Classical conditioning
C
Observational learning
D
Instrumental learning
Question 7
Which behavior is an example of displacement behavior?
A
Sitting on cue
B
Barking at a stranger
C
Sniffing the ground when anxious
D
Jumping on a person
Question 8
What term describes the tendency for learned behavior to return after extinction?
A
Spontaneous recovery
B
Counterconditioning
C
Stimulus fading
D
Latent learning
Question 9
The “Three Ds” in training refer to:
A
Displacement, desensitization, dominance
B
Distance, distraction, duration
C
Desire, drive, determination
D
Discipline, direction, dominance
Question 10
A dog growling when approached while eating is showing:
A
Fear aggression
B
Redirected aggression
C
Resource guarding
D
Play behavior
Question 11
Which is a reliable way to build a strong recall?
A
Yelling the dog’s name
B
Using the leash as punishment
C
Reinforcing the dog for returning
D
Calling once and ignoring the dog
Question 12
A dog who avoids eye contact and licks lips is likely:
A
Excited
B
Submissive or stressed
C
Dominant
D
Playful
Question 13
A dog learns a new trick by watching another dog. This is:
A
Classical conditioning
B
Observational learning
C
Shaping
D
Desensitization
Question 14
What is the best way to reduce barking from boredom?
A
Shock collar
B
Verbal reprimand
C
Provide mental stimulation and exercise
D
Ignore the dog completely
Question 15
What is the best use of a head halter?
A
Stopping barking
B
Teaching loose-leash walking
C
Increasing prey drive
D
Enforcing sit
Question 16
A harness that clips in the front is often used for:
A
Hunting dogs
B
Agility training
C
Reducing pulling
D
Dock diving
Question 17
Which body posture signals fear in a dog?
A
Loose body, wagging tail
B
Forward stance, erect ears
C
Tail tucked, ears back
D
Play bow
Question 18
What is extinction in behavioral terms?
A
Reinforcing a behavior
B
Gradual fading of a behavior when not reinforced
C
Punishing a behavior
D
Ignoring a correct behavior
Question 19
What is the ideal reinforcement schedule for teaching a new behavior?
A
Fixed interval
B
Continuous
C
Variable ratio
D
Fixed ratio
Question 20
When should variable reinforcement be introduced?
A
Immediately
B
After the behavior is reliably learned
C
Never
D
Only in group classes
Question 21
What does anthropomorphism refer to?
A
Teaching humans to act like dogs
B
Attributing human traits to animals
C
Using body language to communicate
D
Clicker training
Question 22
What is an example of shaping?
A
Repeating a behavior
B
Giving a treat after a sit
C
Reinforcing successive approximations of a behavior
D
Saying "no" when the dog jumps
Question 23
What is a bridge signal in training?
A
A punishment tool
B
A leash correction
C
A marker that connects behavior with reward
D
An agility command
Question 24
When conducting a group class, what’s a key instructor skill?
A
Punish the dog’s errors
B
Provide clear feedback and encouragement
C
Focus only on the best students
D
Ignore client questions
Question 25
What should be done if a dog shows fear in class?
A
Force the dog to continue
B
Use flooding
C
Modify the training plan to lower stress
D
Ignore it and continue
Question 26
The most humane and effective training equipment is:
A
Shock collar
B
Prong collar
C
Flat collar or harness with rewards
D
Choke chain
Question 27
Which of the following is a primary reinforcer?
A
Praise
B
Clicker
C
Food
D
Toy
Question 28
Which is NOT a factor in behavior modification success?
A
Consistency
B
Trainer’s mood
C
Environment
D
Owner compliance
Question 29
Which is part of the CPDT-KA Code of Ethics?
A
Always guarantee results
B
Use aversive tools as a first step
C
Promote humane, science-based methods
D
Prioritize dominance theory
Question 30
What is the purpose of crate training?
A
Punishment
B
House training and safety
C
Confinement for long hours
D
Socialization
Question 31
What is flooding?
A
Gradual desensitization
B
Forcing full exposure to a fear-inducing stimulus
C
Counterconditioning
D
Ignoring behavior
Question 32
What’s the first step in developing a training plan?
A
Choose equipment
B
Identify and define the target behavior
C
Start with punishment
D
Ignore unwanted behaviors
Question 33
What is the purpose of a behavior history form?
A
To test the dog’s intelligence
B
To screen for aggression
C
To collect information about the dog’s behavior and environment
D
To determine the breed
Question 34
Which behavior is most likely reinforced by owner attention?
A
Barking
B
Sleeping
C
Lying quietly
D
Drinking water
Question 35
A reliable “sit” is most likely taught using:
A
Shaping
B
Flooding
C
Punishment
D
Observational learning
Question 36
Which hormone increases during stress in dogs?
A
Oxytocin
B
Cortisol
C
Dopamine
D
Melatonin
Question 37
What’s a key sign of resource guarding?
A
Play bowing
B
Hiding toys
C
Growling when approached near food
D
Licking hands
Question 38
When is a behavior considered generalized?
A
It’s only reliable in one location
B
It’s understood in multiple environments
C
It stops occurring
D
It becomes extinct
Question 39
What is chaining?
A
Linking behaviors together
B
Teaching a cue
C
Removing reinforcers
D
Giving commands
Question 40
What’s the benefit of a variable ratio schedule?
A
Fast extinction
B
Builds strong resistance to extinction
C
Creates anxiety
D
Prevents behavior
Question 41
What is the function of a long line in recall training?
A
Punish the dog
B
Provide freedom with control
C
Restrain the dog fully
D
Replace a leash
Question 42
What does “threshold” refer to in behavior work?
A
A physical doorway
B
The point before a dog reacts
C
The maximum weight a dog can pull
D
The top of the training pyramid
Question 43
Which method uses a pairing of a positive stimulus with a feared one?
A
Flooding
B
Operant conditioning
C
Classical counterconditioning
D
Luring
Question 44
Which is NOT an ethological behavior?
A
Predatory sequence
B
Reinforcement
C
Maternal care
D
Scent marking
Question 45
A fearful dog in class should be:
A
Corrected
B
Removed and reassessed
C
Ignored
D
Dominated
Question 46
Which canine body language indicates arousal but not aggression?
A
Tail high and stiff
B
Soft eyes and wiggly body
C
Lip curling
D
Lunging
Question 47
What’s the role of the trainer in a private consultation?
A
Give commands only
B
Diagnose medical conditions
C
Educate and coach the owner
D
Train the dog alone
Question 48
What is the least effective feedback method for human clients?
A
Hands-on demos
B
Visual aids
C
Clear verbal explanations
D
Yelling
Question 49
In terms of liability, trainers should always:
A
Train off-leash
B
Use verbal-only contracts
C
Have insurance and waivers
D
Guarantee outcomes
Question 50
Which is a zoonotic disease risk from dogs?
A
Kennel cough
B
Heartworm
C
Ringworm
D
Hip dysplasia
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There are 50 questions to complete.
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