Which describes strengthening by removing an obstacle after the desired response?

• A. Negative Reinforcement
• B. Reinforcement
• C. Punishment
• D. Positive Reinforcement

Answer: (A)

This describes negative reinforcement: you strengthen a behavior by removing an aversive condition after the dog performs the desired action. The obstacle or unpleasant stimulus is present, and the moment the dog produces the target response, that obstacle is removed, making the response more likely in the future. In training, this often looks like releasing leash pressure or stopping a nuisance stimulus as soon as the dog completes the desired action, teaching the dog that performing the behavior ends the unpleasant condition. This is different from positive reinforcement (adding something desirable after the response) and from punishment (introducing something unpleasant to reduce a behavior).