What term describes the gradual decrease in a dog's responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated exposure?

• A. Habituation
• B. Classical conditioning
• C. Operant conditioning
• D. Equilibrium

Answer: (A)

Habituation is the gradual decrease in a dog’s response to a repeated, non-threatening stimulus. It’s a form of non-associative learning, meaning nothing is paired with a reward or punishment—the dog simply learns that the stimulus is inconsequential and can be ignored. In working dogs, this helps them stay focused amid constant background noise, crowds, or other repetitive sounds. This differs from classical conditioning, where a neutral cue becomes meaningful by association with a reward or aversive event, and from operant conditioning, where behavior changes due to consequences. Equilibrium isn’t a term used for learning in this context.