Which technique requires the animal to see the reward before the behavior and is quick and easy?

• A. Luring
• B. Prompting
• C. Shaping
• D. Targeting

Answer: (A)

Luring works by showing the animal the treat first and using that lure to guide the exact movement into the desired behavior. Because the reward is visible and enticing before the action, the animal readily follows the lure into the target pose or motion, making the learning process fast and easy. This approach is especially friendly for beginners or when you want quick results on simple tasks, like teaching a sit or a down. A helpful thing to keep in mind is to fade the lure over time so the dog responds to your cue rather than always needing the treat in sight.

Prompts rely on cues or light guidance to evoke the behavior and can be helpful, but they don’t center on having the reward visible first. Shaping builds the behavior gradually through successive approximations and takes longer, while targeting teaches the dog to touch a specific object and isn’t about prompting with a visible reward before the action.