Counter Conditioning and Desensitisation: A Science-Based Approach to Helping Reactive and Anxious Dogs

When a dog reacts with barking, lunging, or growling, it’s often not a sign of disobedience or defiance—it’s an emotional response driven by fear, anxiety, or frustration. Many reactive dogs behave this way because they’ve learnt that their subtle communication (such as looking away, freezing, or moving to create space) has gone unnoticed, leaving them feeling they have no choice but to escalate their behaviour.

The good news? We can change the way our dogs feel about their triggers. Through counter conditioning and desensitisation, we can help them develop a more neutral or even positive response to things that currently cause them distress.

Understanding the Stress Response in Dogs

When a dog perceives a trigger—be it another dog, a person, or a sudden noise—their brain and body react instinctively. This stress response releases adrenaline and cortisol, preparing them for action. Their heart rate increases, their senses heighten, and they are put into a state of readiness—fight, flight, freeze, or fidget.

These reactions are involuntary. The dog isn’t choosing to “misbehave”—they are simply responding to their emotional state.

This is where counter conditioning and desensitisation (CC/DS) come in. Instead of punishing or suppressing behaviour (which does not address the root cause), we focus on changing the dog’s emotional response to the trigger itself.

What is Counter Conditioning & Desensitisation?

Counter Conditioning – Changing Emotional Associations

Counter conditioning is about pairing a previously negative trigger with something positive to change the dog’s emotional response. For example, if a dog reacts to other dogs out of fear, we create an association where seeing another dog predicts something good (like delicious treats or play).

Over time, the presence of another dog shifts from "something scary" to "something that brings rewards”.

Desensitisation – Gradual, Controlled Exposure

Desensitisation is the process of exposing a dog to their trigger at a low enough intensity that they can remain under threshold and learn to cope. We start at a comfortable distance, gradually reducing it over time as the dog becomes more relaxed.

For example:

• A dog that reacts to men in hats wouldn’t immediately be placed next to one.

• Instead, they might start seeing a still image of a man in a hat, then watch a person at a far distance, and slowly work up to closer interactions.

The Key to Success: Working at Threshold

For CC/DS to be effective, we must work at the dog’s threshold—the point where they notice the trigger but are not yet reacting negatively.

If we push too far too fast, the dog goes over threshold, their stress response kicks in, and learning can’t happen.

A helpful threshold guide:

• Under threshold → The dog notices but remains calm and can disengage.

• At threshold → The dog is aware but showing mild signs of concern.

• Over threshold → The dog is reacting (barking, lunging, stiff posture, hyper-alertness).

If your dog won’t take a treat, is fixated on the trigger, or is escalating their behaviour, they are too close and need more distance.

A Step-by-Step Approach to CC/DS

1️⃣ Identify the Trigger & Threshold Distance
Observe at what distance your dog can see their trigger but remain calm. This is where you begin.

2️⃣ Pair the Trigger with High-Value Rewards
Each time your dog sees their trigger, immediately feed them a delicious treat (without asking for anything). The trigger itself must predict the treat.

3️⃣ Control the Intensity
Start with minimal exposure—this could mean a still dog at a distance rather than a moving one or a quiet person standing rather than someone walking towards them.

4️⃣ Wait for a Positive Conditioned Emotional Response (CER)
When your dog sees the trigger and looks at you with excitement for their treat, you know the association is changing.

5️⃣ Gradually Increase Exposure
Slowly decrease the distance or increase the trigger’s intensity, ensuring the dog stays under threshold.

6️⃣ Reinforce Calmness & Disengagement
Encourage behaviours like looking away, sniffing, or voluntarily checking in with you.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

🚫 Moving Too Fast – If the dog reacts, you’re too close or the intensity is too high. Go back to a manageable level.

🚫 Getting the Order Wrong – The trigger must predict the reward, not the other way around. If the dog gets a treat before seeing the trigger, the learning won’t stick.

🚫 Using Low-Value Reinforcers – The treat needs to be more exciting than the trigger (think chicken, cheese, or special treats).

🚫 Only Practising in One Environment – Dogs don’t generalise well. Practise in multiple locations and at different times of day.

🚫 Forcing Interaction – Let the dog choose to approach rather than making them confront their fears.

Management Strategies While Training

While working through CC/DS, management is key to preventing unwanted reactions: ✔ Increase Distance – Cross the road or move behind a barrier when needed. ✔ Use Equipment Wisely – A well-fitted harness and long line help maintain safety without adding tension. ✔ Give the Dog Processing Time – If they need to pause and observe, let them. ✔ Muzzle Training (if appropriate) – Helps ensure safety while training.

The Long-Term Goal: Emotional Resilience

CC/DS is about helping dogs build confidence rather than simply stopping behaviour. The more they learn that their world is safe and predictable, the less they will feel the need to react.

This method is incredibly effective, but it requires time, consistency, and patience. Every dog is unique, and their journey will move at their own pace. By using science-backed training methods, we can create lasting behaviour change—not by suppressing their emotions, but by changing how they feel in the first place.

If you need support in implementing this, working with a reward-based behaviourist can provide personalised guidance and help set your dog up for success.