Glossary

Desensitization and counter-conditioning

A training plan that exposes a dog to a fear trigger at a level it can handle while pairing it with something good, to change how the dog feels.

Also called: DS/CC, systematic desensitization, counterconditioning, desensitisation, DSCC

Desensitization means exposing a dog to something it fears, starting so far away or so faintly that the dog stays calm, and gradually making it more intense. Counter-conditioning pairs the trigger with something the dog loves, usually food, so the dog's emotional response changes from fear to pleasure. Used together, they are called DS/CC.

Success depends on staying below the dog's threshold, the point at which it reacts. Going too fast can make the problem worse. For example, a dog afraid of strangers might see one at a distance, get a treat, and slowly move closer over many sessions.

It is not flooding, which forces a dog to face a fear. It works best with guidance from a qualified trainer or behaviorist, and a veterinarian should rule out pain or illness first.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Habituation A dog's learned reduction of its reaction to something harmless that is met again and again without consequence. Threshold The point at which a dog goes from noticing something to reacting to it, often described as a distance or an intensity. Reactivity A dog's exaggerated reaction, such as barking, lunging or freezing, to a trigger like other dogs, people or noises. Trigger stacking Several stressful events building up in a short time so that a dog that would normally cope reacts strongly to a small extra trigger.