Compulsion training is defined as what?

• A. The handler relies on unpleasant events like physical, and verbal corrections to obtain desired behavior from the MWD.
• B. The handler uses only verbal praise to shape behavior.
• C. The dog learns only through exercise and play.
• D. The training relies on self-rerewarding behavior.

Answer: (A)

Compulsion training centers on using aversive consequences to shape behavior. The handler intentionally applies unpleasant events, such as physical or verbal corrections, to discourage undesired actions and force the dog to comply in order to avoid the correction. This is what defines compulsion training.

This differs from methods that rely on rewards: positive reinforcement uses praise or rewards to strengthen a behavior when the dog does what is asked. Training through exercise and play describes motivation or activity but isn’t the method itself. The idea of self-rewarding behavior isn’t how compulsion training operates, since rewards come from the handler’s actions (or avoidance of aversive stimuli), not from the dog generating its own rewards.