Field Guide · Glossary
Desensitization
Methods and protocolsExposing a dog to something they find difficult at an intensity low enough that it produces no distress, then raising it gradually.
How it works
Intensity is controlled by whatever dimension is available: distance, volume, movement, duration. The working rule is that if the dog reacts, the step was too large, and the answer is to go back to a level they managed rather than to wait for them to settle. It is slow by design, and rushing it produces flooding instead, which can make the response worse rather than better. It is almost always paired with counterconditioning.
What it looks like
A dog frightened of the vacuum starts with it switched off and stationary across the room. Over three weeks it moves closer, then is switched on in another room, then on in the same room, with the dog eating comfortably at every stage.
Commonly confused with
- Habituation
- Habituation happens by itself when something neutral repeats and never matters. Desensitization is a deliberate procedure for something the dog already finds difficult, run at an intensity chosen to keep them comfortable.
Related terms
Gear that helps
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High-value freeze-dried training treats
The paycheck. For reactive work the reward has to beat the trigger, so we keep these tiny, soft, and genuinely exciting, not everyday biscuits.
Treat pouch (clip-on)
You can't reward fast enough digging in a pocket. A pouch you open one-handed changes your timing, and this one has a magnetic close plus a built-in clicker.
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