What is a fixed ratio reward schedule?

• A. It rewards after a specific number of correct responses.
• B. It rewards after a random number of responses.
• C. It rewards after a fixed period of time.
• D. It rewards only after the dog has moved toward the handler.

Answer: (A)

A fixed ratio reinforcement means you reward after a predetermined number of correct responses. The dog learns that steady effort across several actions will reliably lead to a reward, so it tends to perform at a high rate until the required count is reached. This predictability of payoff drives consistent responding. It’s distinct from a variable ratio schedule, where the number of responses needed changes unpredictably, and from a fixed interval schedule, where reinforcement depends on time elapsed rather than the exact number of responses. The idea of moving toward the handler isn’t related to how the reward is scheduled in this context.