Superstitious Behavior is defined as what?

• A. Some irrelevant behavior that the dog performs along with the desired one thinking that it's required to earn the reward. Usually the result of an accidental reinforcement
• B. A dog that never listens
• C. A behavior that is performed along with the desired one thinking that it's required to earn the reward
• D. A dog that refuses to perform on cue

Answer: (C)

Superstitious behavior happens when a dog does a behavior in the moment the reward is given and starts to believe that this action caused the reward. Because the reward arrived while the dog was performing something alongside the desired behavior, the dog learns to repeat that extra action as part of earning the reward. The best wording captures this idea as a dog that performs along with the desired one thinking it’s required to earn the reward. This often results from accidental reinforcement, where the trainer’s timing unintentionally blends actions with the reward, teaching the dog to associate the extra behavior with success. It’s not about the dog simply not listening or refusing to perform; it’s about a mistaken causal link between an incidental action and getting the reward. To prevent it, deliver rewards only after the exact target behavior is completed, and avoid reinforcing unintended actions that occur at the same time as the cue.