What is rewarding in position?

• A. It reinforces the MWD after breaking position.
• B. It reinforces the current position and prevents the MWD from breaking position in anticipation of the reward.
• C. It rewards the MWD after a scent trail has been completed.
• D. It punishes the MWD for moving away.

Answer: (B)

Rewarding in position means giving the reward while the dog is still in the required position, so the stay itself becomes the behavior being reinforced. This teaches the dog that holding the position is valuable and expected, even when distractions or the scent trail are present, which helps prevent them from breaking position in anticipation of the reward. If you reward after the dog has already moved, you’re reinforcing the break rather than the stay. Rewarding after completing a scent trail shifts the focus to finishing the task rather than maintaining the hold. Punishment for moving away is not about reinforcing the in-position behavior and can undermine confidence and motivation; positive reinforcement in position builds reliable self-control.