When training our dogs, it’s essential that good behavior is rewarded. Rewarding a behavior is known as positive reinforcement in psychology. But, should we be giving our dog a treat every single time they exhibit good behavior? What if we don’t have a treat on hand, will they still perform the action?
The timing we use when reinforcing behavior is known as a reward schedule – this schedule lays out when desired behaviors should be reinforced. As it turns out, there are reward schedules that are effective for distinct types of training. It’s a good idea for dog owners to learn about reward schedules to help protect against “extinction” – this is the loss of a previously acquired skill or behavioral response. So, let’s look at the different types of reward schedules and what situations they are most appropriate for!
What are the types of reward schedules?
Continuous Reward Schedule:
- A continuous schedule of reinforcement is one in which a behavior is rewarded continuously.
- Behavior is reinforced every time it is performed:
- Ex. Every time your dog sits on command, she gets a treat.
- Continuous reinforcement is most effective for teaching new behaviors. In your dog’s mind, a connection will be formed between performing this behavior and being rewarded.
Intermittent Reinforcement Schedule:
- If your dog reliably performs the behavior with a continuous reinforcement schedule, you should switch to an intermittent reinforcement schedule.
- An intermittent reinforcement schedule is one in which the dog is rewarded intermittently for performing the behavior. This means changing the duration between reward patterns. For example, provide a treat after a behavior is performed twice, then after a behavior is performed five times, then three times, etc. Stagger rewards so they remain associated with a behavior but are not expected by our dog every time a skill is successfully performed.
- Once a skill is fully imprinted, the learned behavior becomes a conscious choice by our pups. Maintaining motivation through positive experiences is still important. Intermittent reinforcement schedules are the last step to achieving this goal.
Fixed Intermittent Reinforcement Schedule:
- After a set number of times a behavior is performed, or after a set amount of time passes, your pup is rewarded.
Variable Intermittent Reinforcement Schedule
- After a random number of times a behavior is performed, or a random amount of time passes, a reward is given.
Interval:
- Interval refers to the number of times the desired behavior occurs in between receiving a reward.
- Ratio refers to the number of times a behavior is performed and rewarded compared to how often the behavior is performed without receiving a reward.
Now, let’s take a look at fixed and variable reinforcement schedules. These schedules refer to the planning of the reward. Interval and ratio refer to the criteria of what must happen for a reward to be given. We can combine these terms to create four types of intermittent reward schedule: fixed ratio, ratio interval, variable interval and variable ratio reinforcement schedules
Fixed Ratio Reinforcement Schedule:
- Behavior is rewarded after a set number of times it is performed.
- Ex. Your dog is rewarded every fifth time they sit.
- A fixed ratio reinforcement schedule is best when your dog is successfully performing a new behavior with a continuous reinforcement schedule, and you want to start rewarding them less frequently.
Fixed Interval Reinforcement Schedule:
- Behavior is rewarded after a fixed interval of time has passed.
- Ex. Your dog is rewarded after holding a sit for 10 seconds. They are rewarded again after another 10 seconds of holding the position.
- A fixed interval reinforcement schedule is best for lengthening the duration of a performed behavior, such as sit, stay or lie down.
Variable Interval Reinforcement Schedule:
- Behavior is rewarded after a random interval of time has passed.
- Ex. your dog is rewarded after sitting for 10 seconds. They are rewarded again for sitting another 30 seconds. Then, they are rewarded again for holding the command “sit” for another 20 seconds.
- A variable interval reinforcement schedule leads to a more consistent performance of the behavior, because the dog has no idea when they will be rewarded. In turn, they are likely to repeat the desired behavior until they are rewarded.
Variable Ratio Reinforcement Schedule:
- Behavior is rewarded after a random number of times it is performed.
- Ex. your dog is rewarded after five sits. They are rewarded again after another three sits. Then, they are rewarded again after another six sits.
- A variable ratio reinforcement schedule is great for maintaining a learned behavior. Your dog will perform a behavior without reward every time, because they don’t know which performance will get them their reward.
Remember That…..
A continuous reward schedule is ideal for learning new behaviors. Once the behavior is learned, you can move to a fixed reinforcement schedule so the dog learns they will not be rewarded for every performance. To maintain and refine the behavior for optimal long term results, advance to a variable reinforcement schedule.
- A fixed interval schedule produces the highest response when the behavior is reinforced.
- A fixed ratio schedule leads to a reduction in response rate immediately after reinforcement, but it returns to a consistent response rate after.
- A variable interval or variable ratio schedule produces a consistent response rate.
