CPDT-KA Study Guide / ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & COMPLETE ANSWERS AND DEFINITIONS / 2025.

CPDT-KA Study Guide / ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & COMPLETE ANSWERS AND DEFINITIONS / 2025. What does "Tame" mean? (v) to domesticate; (adj) a domesticated animal which is not dangerous or frightened of people; Species Designation Canis Lupis Familiaris What is "Domestication"? (v) Adapting an animal (or plant) to life in intimate association with and to the advantage of humans; (adj- "domestic") An animal that has undergone extensive behavioral and biological changes resulting from selective breeding over the course of many generations resulting in tameness What does "Neoteny" mean? The retention of immature characteristics in adulthood *Many modern dog breeds retain neotenous characteristics. What does "Phylogeny" mean? The evolutionary history of an organism What is "Phylogenetic Behavior" (in dogs)? Behaviors common to the dog as a species: *Food acquisition *Hazard avoidance, safety/comfort seeking *Reproductive behaviors What are "Fixed Action Patterns"? Innate or phylogenetic behaviors which must be completed before the animal stops; Examples: urine marking even if the dog has no urine remaining in system or circling before laying on a blanket What is "Ontogenetic Behavior"? A response to environmental influences. It is learned, has be rewarded, and can be modified. ie. dog running to name after being fed previously when name was called Tempermant Nature v. Nurture; Learned v. Innate. Instinctive Drift The Breland Effect. The prepotency of strong instinctive behavior patterns over those which have been conditioned. Wherever an animal had strong instructive behavior, the organism will drift toward instinctive behavior to the detriment of the conditioned behavior. Critical Periods 3-16 weeks. Socialization window begins to diminish by 16 weeks. Testosterone Influences behaviors such as mounting, mating, searching for females, scent marking, and aggression. If the dog has a history of being reinforced for such behaviors, that behavior now has a conditioned element and doesn't depend on testosterone. Female Hormones Estrogen and progesterone. Estrus twice a year. 20 days duration. Spaying does not reduce aggression levels in females. Instead may increase. Neuropsychology Relationship between the brain and the body. Engrams Muscle Memory. Development and storage of familiar motor action. The neural pathways. Reticular Activating System (RAS) Attention center of the brain. Where things are perceived, processed, and acted upon. Tuning out things that are unimportant. Limbic System Network of cells in the brain that integrates instinct and learning. Also involved emotions such as fear. When active Cerebral Cortex is inactive. Cerebral Cortex Cognitive Functions, such as learning and problem solving. When active, Limbic System is inactive. Oppositional Reflex If you pull one way, the dog will pull the other.