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Just read through the In-Depth look: The Psychology of Reward Systems in PawsitiveHabitsHub and found it pretty insightful. I especially appreciated the breakdown of how different types of rewards (intrinsic vs. extrinsic, fixed ratio vs. variable ratio) can impact long-term habit formation in our furry friends. They used the example of training a dog to sit, and how initially using a treat every time (fixed ratio) is vital for learning, but eventually switching to random treats (variable ratio) keeps them more engaged and motivated.
It made me think about my own approach to training my cat. I primarily rely on praise and head scratches, wich I guess leans more towards intrinsic motivation. but maybe incorporating some high-value treats on a less predictable schedule could be beneficial, especially for those more challenging behaviors I'm trying to shape.
Has anyone else experimented with different reward structures for their pets? What has worked best for you, and have you noticed a difference in their behavior based on the type of reward you're using? I'm curious to hear about other people's experiences.