What is the purpose of the Proof method in CST?

• A. It transitions to an appropriate reward schedule and teaches the command is mandatory even without a reward
• B. It eliminates all rewards
• C. It uses only punishment
• D. It delays learning

Answer: (A)

Proofing trains a dog to perform a trained response reliably in real-world conditions by adjusting how reinforcement is given and by teaching the behavior to persist even when a treat isn’t guaranteed. In CST, this means moving from a constant reward to an appropriate, often intermittent, reinforcement schedule so the command is expected and carried out even without an immediate payoff. This builds resistance to extinction and improves generalization across distractions, contexts, and handlers. It doesn’t eliminate rewards, it doesn’t rely solely on punishment, and it doesn’t aim to delay learning; it solidifies the behavior so it remains strong under varied circumstances.