Which strategy is not typically used to initiate action when training a new behavior?

The strategy of giving the animal a verbal cue is not typically used to initiate action when training a new behavior. This is because verbal cues are generally introduced after an animal has already learned a particular behavior, serving as a prompt to elicit that learned behavior. In the initial stages of training a new behavior, it's essential to use more direct and tangible methods that guide the animal toward the desired action.

Targeting involves guiding the animal to a specific spot to encourage the desired behavior, while luring with food uses a treat to attract the animal into performing the behavior you want to train. Free shaping, on the other hand, is a method where the trainer rewards any behavior that approximates the desired action, encouraging the animal to gradually develop the behavior without needing a specific cue right at the start. These techniques focus on offering clear, immediate guidance or rewards to help the animal understand what's expected during the learning process.