Which combination of techniques is used to counteract a conditioned emotional response?

The combination of desensitization and counterconditioning is widely recognized as an effective approach for counteracting a conditioned emotional response.

Desensitization involves gradually exposing a dog to a stimulus that triggers a negative emotional response, starting at a low intensity that does not elicit the undesired reaction. As the dog becomes more accustomed to the stimulus at a lower intensity, the exposure can be increased incrementally. This process helps the dog to become less sensitive to the stimulus over time.

Counterconditioning works hand-in-hand with desensitization. It involves changing the dog's emotional response to the stimulus by pairing it with something positive, such as treats or praise. For instance, if a dog is fearful of loud noises, during desensitization, you would expose them to recorded sounds at a low volume while simultaneously providing treats. This encourages the dog to associate the previously feared noise with positive experiences, gradually replacing the fear response with a more positive emotional state.

Together, these techniques form a systematic approach to modify a dog’s emotional reaction, making them foundational methods in behavior modification practices for various emotional issues, such as fear and anxiety.