🐾Counterconditioning vs. Desensitization (What’s the Difference?)

🐶 These Terms Get Confusing…

But they’re the foundation of behavior change.

🧠 Desensitization

👉 Gradual exposure at a level your dog can handle

Example:

• Seeing a dog from far away

• Slowly decreasing distance

🧁 Counterconditioning

👉 Changing emotional response

Example:

See dog → get treats

Dog = good things

💜 Together = Powerful

Desensitization + Counterconditioning =

👉 Calm + positive emotional change