Criterion avoidance is defined as what?

• A. The MWD ignores commands until rewards are provided.
• B. The MWD responds to the command every time without the need to use compulsion.
• C. The dog avoids performing the task by delaying responses.
• D. The dog is trained with inconsistent cues.

Answer: (B)

Criterion avoidance means the dog meets the required response reliably and without needing any corrective pressure. When a MWD consistently responds to a command every time and does so without the trainer having to use compulsion, the dog has achieved this level of dependable performance. It shows the dog’s obedience is self-sufficient and stable across situations, which is the hallmark of criterion avoidance. The other ideas describe delaying or avoiding tasks, or performing under inconsistent cues, which do not capture this steady, pressure-free reliability.