Counterconditioning and Desensitization

Helping your dog calm down around triggers

Associated Video Content

Prerequisite

Suggested (but not absolutely necessary):

Watch me (look at handler’s face on cue)
Sit or down
Understanding of clicker

Tools

Super delicious treats
Treat pouch
Leash
Harness
Settle mat (if your dog knows settle)
Clicker (if your dog is familiar with the clicker)
Second person with a cell phone
Trigger

Training Environment

Environment should be large enough to keep your dog under threshold.
Environment should be free of other distractions and triggers.
Environment should be one you can control if possible.
Environment should not put your dog in a position where he feels trapped with his trigger.
Ideally, environment should have somewhere trigger can slip out of sight.

Recommended Treat Position

When you start put the treat in your dog’s mouth regardless of where he is.
As you go, your dog will probably start looking towards you in expectation of the treat. If he does, begin waiting until he turns toward you before you give him the treat. Do not force the issue! This is not about training him to look at you. It is about connecting positive things with the trigger. It’s just extra awesome when your dog is willing to face you instead of the trigger.

Steps

If you don’t know what it is, you will need to establish your dog’s threshold. Once you’ve done this, you may need to end for the day. Continue on to the next step tomorrow.
Bring your dog into the environment and let him explore for a few minutes until he is relaxed. Make sure the trigger is out of view.
Take him to one end of the area and ask for some known obedience cues. Big rewards for success. It doesn’t matter what you ask for, just get your dog into his “thinking brain”.
Have your second person stand out of sight with the trigger. Make sure they are outside your dog’s threshold.
Text your second handler to bring the trigger (or themself if they are the trigger) into sight.
Begin handing your dog treats as quickly as he can eat them. Small bits, one right after the other without a break.
After a few seconds have your partner step back out of sight and put the treats away.
Repeat this three or four times.
Watch your dog’s body language as you go. Try to keep your dog under threshold. If you make a mistake don’t worry about it. Try again if your dog can handle it, otherwise take a break until tomorrow.

Homework

Watch the example video above. In this scenario a dog is triggered by scooters. Note how quickly they dole out the treats and how the scooters keep their distance at first.

Work for 5 to 15 minutes at a time, once or twice a day.

At the End of This Step

The trigger should be able to gradually get closer to your dog without causing him to react.

Troubleshooting

My dog went nuts when the trigger came closer.

Your dog may need more time than you think. Move the trigger away and try decreasing your distance more slowly.
The trigger may be causing your dog stress by moving closer to them in a straight line or with eye contact. Try to have your trigger wander around so the decrease in distance is not as obvious and eye contact is avoided.