Schedule of reinforcement refers to how often one will deliver the success marker followed by F.A.T.T. (rewards of Food Attention Touch Territory) when the animal cooperates with a command. There are many schedules of reinforcement that can be cleverly used to modify behaviors and get different results. I will only talk about the 2 most relevant to you now.
CONTINUOUS: Every time the animal performs, you click and deliver a reward. This is called a Continuous schedule of reinforcement. This schedule is similar to what we experience when using a vending machine. We insert coins, press a button, and get our soda every time (assuming the machine is operating correctly and stocked with soda). It’s usually better to use continuous schedule and food treats for the reward (for most dogs) when teaching new behaviors. Behaviors placed on a continuous schedule of reinforcement are weak and subject to extinction. The end goal is that behaviors are placed on an intermittent schedule of reinforcement. Changing the schedule from Continuous to Intermittent is called Thinning the schedule.
INTERMITTENT: Sometimes when the animal performs the desired behavior you click, sometimes you don’t click. When you don’t click, you always acknowledge cooperation with praise (attention) or a pat on the body (touch). This is similar to what we experience with slot machines. We insert coins, press a button and maybe we win, maybe not. Behaviors placed on an intermittent schedule of reinforcement are strong and resistant to extinction.
THINNING THE SCHEDULE: Once a behavior is known, you should change the schedule of reinforcement from continuous to intermittent. This is known as thinning the schedule of reinforcement. To do this, start by clicking 3 of 4 trials. Don’t forget, when you don’t click, you always acknowledge cooperation with praise (attention) or a pat on the body (touch). For example, ask for sit 4 times and only click 3 of the times your dog sits when asked.
Next, thin it more by clicking 2 of 4 successes. When you don’t click, you always acknowledge cooperation with praise (attention) or a pat on the body (touch).
Finally you can thin it even more by clicking 1 of 4 successes. When you don’t click, you always acknowledge cooperation with praise (attention) or a pat on the body (touch).
IF you notice your dog losing interest, you probably thinned the schedule too abruptly. No worry, just “thicken” the schedule by returning to the previous thicker schedule and ask your trainer for advice. There are many intricacies of animal training and to post all of the what ifs here will only confuse most visitors.
Happy training!