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> If they know they will get the reward then they know the exact opportunity cost and can weigh that against performing the behavior.

So you need to to randomize the value of the treat. Otherwise the dog knows the upper bound of the opportunity and the same reasoning applies.



Yeah, same for punishment too, or like a shock collar / geofence. If the dog knows the shock is always coming they can weigh it. Obviously not just dogs too, it's how humans in some cases stay in an abusive relationship. Every encounter is a roll of the dice and that variability creates an addiction.




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