Which schedule delivers reinforcement after every occurrence?

• A. Fixed Interval
• B. Continuous Reinforcement
• C. Variable Ratio
• D. Fixed Ratio

Answer: (B)

Reinforcement after every occurrence is called continuous reinforcement. In practice, that means you reward the dog every time it performs the target behavior. This setup makes the connection between the action and the reward very clear, so the dog learns the new behavior quickly. It’s especially useful when you’re first teaching or shaping a behavior, like first teaching a “sit” or a “lie down,” because the feedback is immediate and consistent.

Think about how the other schedules differ. A fixed interval schedule rewards after a set amount of time has passed, regardless of how often the behavior occurs, so the dog may learn to respond more as the reward window approaches but not every single time. A fixed ratio schedule delivers a reward after a fixed number of correct responses, not after every single occurrence. A variable ratio schedule reinforces after an unpredictable number of responses, which tends to produce a high and steady rate of behavior, but not every time.

So, continuous reinforcement is the best match when the goal is to reinforce after every occurrence, especially during the initial learning phase.