Reinforcement means what?

• A. To punish incorrect behavior
• B. To ignore undesired behavior
• C. To encourage or strengthen the target behavior
• D. To withhold rewards

Answer: (C)

Reinforcement is any consequence that increases the likelihood of the target behavior being repeated. In MWD training, you reinforce by delivering a reward—such as food, a toy, or praise—immediately after the dog performs the desired behavior, so that behavior becomes more likely to recur. There are two common forms: positive reinforcement, where you add a desirable stimulus, and negative reinforcement, where you remove an aversive stimulus, both of which raise the chance the behavior will happen again. This explains why reinforcing the behavior is the best description: it strengthens and encourages the behavior. Choosing options that describe punishment, ignoring the behavior, or withholding rewards don’t strengthen the behavior—punishment aims to reduce it, ignoring doesn’t provide an incentive to repeat, and withholding rewards removes motivation to perform the behavior.