CPDT-KA Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Guide for Dog Trainer Certification

Negative punishment means taking away something the dog finds reinforcing after a behavior to reduce the likelihood that the behavior will happen again. For example, if a dog begs at mealtime, you withdraw attention or remove access to a preferred toy for a short period after the begging. By removing something desirable, the behavior is discouraged.

That’s why the statement describing subtracting something desirable to decrease a behavior is the correct definition. The other ideas describe adding a reward (positive reinforcement), adding an aversive (positive punishment), or removing an aversive (negative reinforcement), which do not define negative punishment.