Reward Schedule Calculator

When to reward — and how often — is what separates trained dogs from dogs who only work if they see a treat. Continuous reinforcement (reward every rep) is essential during learning but destroys reliability if kept forever. Variable reinforcement (reward unpredictably) is what makes trained behaviors permanent — the same principle that makes slot machines addictive. This tool tells you exactly what reinforcement schedule to use for each training stage: acquisition, fluency, generalization, or maintenance.