Which elements are considered aspects of criteria in dog training?

• A. Time of day, weather
• B. Size, color, scent
• C. Frequency, intensity, duration
• D. Physical response, latency, duration

Answer: (D)

In dog training, criteria are defined by how the dog actually behaves in observable, measurable terms. The best elements to describe a criterion are the physical response (the exact behavior the dog performs), the latency (how soon after the cue the behavior starts), and the duration (how long the dog maintains the behavior). Together, these dimensions let you know precisely when the criterion is met and when reinforcement should be delivered. Time of day, weather, or other non-behavioral factors don’t describe the dog’s performance. Likewise, size, color, or scent are not related to how the behavior is performed, and while frequency and intensity can be useful in some contexts, they do not capture the essential performance pattern as directly as the chosen elements.