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Desensitization is the process of gradually exposing the dog to triggers that scares her in very small, manageable steps. 

Human Example: The Rat Analogy

Imagine a person who is terrified of rats. If we put them in a room full of rats every day, they would likely break down, repeated overwhelming exposure (flooding) doesn’t reduce fear, it often makes it worse and can cause lifelong trauma.

Instead, we start very small, depending on the severity of the fear:

• First, just the word rat.
• Then a picture of a rat.
• Then a short video of a rat.
• Next, seeing one live rat or guinea pig behind glass at a pet store.
• Then a guinea pig nearby but restrained.
• Then closer contact.
• Eventually, maybe petting the guinea pig.
• Each step is introduced gradually, never forcing the person into panic. This is desensitization.

For a successful procedure: 

• Always stay below the fear threshold by monitoring the dog’s body language. 
• Introduce only one new component at a time. 
• The goal of this protocol is with repeated gentle, gradual, and positive exposures, the dog can learn to tolerate and eventually feel more comfortable around the trigger.

Counterconditioning means pairing that trigger with something the dog finds reinforcing (such as treats, play, or praise), so their emotional response shifts from fear to comfort. 

• It is critical to note that counterconditioning depends on slow, careful desensitization. 
• If the desensitization is rushed, the dog may begin to associate her reinforcer with the scary event itself, turning what was previously rewarding into a poisoned cue.

Human Example of a Poisoned Cue: Rat Analogy

• Imagine we are helping a person who is terrified of rats. We want to pair the presence of a rat with something positive which happens to be a favorite dessert.
• But instead of starting small, we rush the process:

• The very first time they get the dessert, it is placed in their hands while a live rat is released in the room.
• The person is overwhelmed with fear, panics, and can only focus on the rat.

Now, instead of thinking, My favourite dessert = good feelings, they may feel: My favourite dessert = rats appearing and terrifying me.” The dessert has now become a poisoned cue, something that once felt good now predicts fear. And instead of helping the person, the rushed pairing made things worse.