Which procedure is most effective for teaching a dog to perform a new behavior, such as shaking hands?

• A. Shaping
• B. Modeling
• C. Chaining
• D. Flooding

Answer: (A)

Shaping is the most effective procedure for teaching a dog to perform a new behavior, such as shaking hands, because it involves reinforcing successive approximations toward the desired behavior. In this context, shaping starts with rewarding the dog for any behavior that resembles the final action of shaking hands. For example, the trainer might initially reward the dog for lifting its paw, then only reward it for placing its paw on the trainer's hand, and eventually for completing the full action of a handshake. This process encourages the dog to understand the steps involved in the behavior, leading to more effective learning.

In contrast, modeling involves demonstrating the desired behavior for the dog, which may not be as effective for animals as it is for humans. Chaining refers to teaching a sequence of behaviors that lead to a final goal, which is better suited for complex activities rather than a simple action like shaking hands. Flooding is a technique often used in desensitization therapies and is not appropriate for teaching new behaviors, as it involves exposing the animal to its fears in a controlled way rather than promoting learning through reinforcement.