Blocking is defined as:

Blocking is defined as:

• A. When a previously learned cue conflicts with a newly learned one
• B. When you stop training altogether
• C. When you reward only some times
• D. When a cue is blocked by a barrier

Answer: (A)

Blocking is a learning phenomenon where a cue that already reliably signals an outcome prevents a newly introduced cue from gaining predictive value. When a dog has learned that a specific cue predicts a reward, adding a second cue at the same time with the same reward doesn’t teach the dog that the new cue is informative—the established cue already accounts for the outcome, so little associative strength can accrue to the new cue. In practice, this means you can train a dog to respond to one strong predictor, and if you try to pair a new cue with the same reward, the dog may ignore or fail to learn about the new cue because the first cue blocks it. This is different from simply stopping training, using intermittent reinforcement, or dealing with a physical barrier, which describe other situations rather than the learning dynamic of blocking.

Blocking is a learning phenomenon where a cue that already reliably signals an outcome prevents a newly introduced cue from gaining predictive value. When a dog has learned that a specific cue predicts a reward, adding a second cue at the same time with the same reward doesn’t teach the dog that the new cue is informative—the established cue already accounts for the outcome, so little associative strength can accrue to the new cue. In practice, this means you can train a dog to respond to one strong predictor, and if you try to pair a new cue with the same reward, the dog may ignore or fail to learn about the new cue because the first cue blocks it. This is different from simply stopping training, using intermittent reinforcement, or dealing with a physical barrier, which describe other situations rather than the learning dynamic of blocking.