Sample questions
Sample questions with answers.
From the practice pool, with the answers shown. The exam asks its own set of 40.
The Myths Humans Bring
1. What is a key reason direct eye contact can be difficult for some dogs during tense situations?
- It can create social pressure Correct answer
- It improves relaxation automatically
- It prevents stress signals
- It always signals playfulness
Why: Direct eye contact can increase social pressure for many dogs, especially when tension is already present.
High-Stakes Warnings
2. Resource guarding is evidence that a dog has an alpha or dominant personality type.
- True
- False Correct answer
Why: False. Resource guarding describes protection of access to a valued resource, not a personality label.
Communication Repair System
3. Why collect observations for 2 weeks before drawing major conclusions?
- To avoid tracking triggers
- To eliminate all uncertainty
- To separate unusual days from recurring patterns Correct answer
- To focus only on dramatic events
Why: A longer observation period helps reveal patterns instead of overreacting to isolated events.
Stress, Fear & Escalation
4. A toddler runs straight at your dog. He yawns, licks his lips, and turns his head away. What is he showing you?
- A quiet warning of discomfort, before something louder follows Correct answer
- Pure excitement about the toddler running toward him
- An underlying medical problem with his mouth or teeth
- That he's getting sleepy and about to drift off into a deep nap
Why: Yawning, lip-licking and head-turning are the course's quiet warnings — early discomfort signals that come before a growl or snap.
The Body Language Decoder
5. Which phrases are observations rather than interpretations? Choose all that apply.
Choose all that apply.
- Tight mouth corners Correct answer
- Licked lips Correct answer
- Closed mouth Correct answer
- Fearful
Why: Those phrases describe visible behavior. 'Fearful' is an interpretation of what the behavior might mean.
Walks, Visitors & Public Life
6. Excitement can cause pulling even before a dog is making thoughtful decisions.
- True Correct answer
- False
Why: True. Excitement can create fast, energized behavior that shows up as leash tension.
Emotions Beneath Behavior
7. Which statement best describes engagement?
- Constant physical activity without pauses
- Complete lack of interest in surroundings
- Overwhelm and loss of self-control
- Interest and alertness with the ability to shift attention Correct answer
Why: Engagement includes interest and attention while still leaving room for self-control.
Seeing What Dogs Actually Show
8. Which statement is an observation rather than an interpretation?
- The dog stopped walking and looked away Correct answer
- The dog wanted to be difficult
- The dog was being stubborn
- The dog was trying to annoy someone
Why: Observations describe what happened; interpretations assign meaning or motive.