Which phenomenon refers to the unexpected reappearance of a previously extinguished behavior?

The phenomenon of spontaneous recovery occurs after a behavior has been extinguished, meaning that it was learned but then diminished through the absence of reinforcement. When spontaneous recovery takes place, the previously extinguished behavior suddenly reappears after a period of time without reinforcement. This phenomenon illustrates the resilience of learned behaviors and highlights how memories or associations are not permanently erased but can resurface under certain conditions.

In the context of dog training, understanding spontaneous recovery can help trainers anticipate that a behavior thought to be extinguished may return, especially after a break in consistent training or reinforcement. This helps trainers manage expectations and modify their strategies to maintain desired behaviors effectively over time.