When a handler throws car keys at a dog to direct it back to scenting, what type of punishment is this an example of?

This scenario exemplifies positive punishment. Positive punishment involves the addition of an aversive stimulus following a behavior, which in this case is the act of throwing car keys at the dog. The intent behind throwing the keys is to interrupt the dog's current behavior, presumably to redirect its attention back to scenting, which is not the intended behavior at that moment. By introducing the keys as a distraction, the handler is adding an unpleasant stimulus in hopes of discouraging the dog from remaining inattentive.

Positive punishment is characterized by the idea that a behavior can be decreased through the addition of something undesirable or unpleasant. In this context, the objective is to prompt the dog to focus on the task at hand by providing a physical interruption, thereby reinforcing the desired behavior through negative association with the aversive stimulus (the keys being thrown). This aligns with the principles of operant conditioning, where behaviors are influenced by consequences.