Understanding Classical Conditioning and Counterconditioning
Written by Kiyoka Tamesue, PSM, KPA CTP
As dog owners, we all want happy, well-adjusted pets. However, sometimes dogs develop problematic behaviors like fear, reactivity, or aggression, which can be distressing for both the dog and their people. Fortunately, modern behavior modification techniques, rooted in the science of classical conditioning, can help transform these challenging behaviors. So, what exactly are classical conditioning and counterconditioning, and how can they be used to reshape your dog’s emotional responses?
What is Classical Conditioning?
Classical conditioning is a learning process discovered by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov in the early 1900s. It involves pairing a neutral stimulus (something that initially has no particular meaning to the dog) with something that naturally triggers an emotional or physiological response. Over time, the dog begins to associate the previously neutral stimulus with that automatic response.
Pavlov rang a bell (neutral stimulus) right before giving his dogs food (something that naturally makes dogs salivate). After several repetitions, the dogs began to salivate at the sound of the bell alone, even when no food was present. In this case, the bell became associated with the expectation of food.
This same principle applies in many areas of dog behavior. For example, the first time your puppy hears keys jingling, it will probably mean a whole lot of nothing to them. However, if after each time they hear your keys jingle, the door opens, and they get to go for a walk, they will quickly begin to associate the fuzzy, warm feeling they get when they go for a walk with the sound of keys.
Once the process of classical conditioning has taken place, your puppy will involuntarily feel the happiness and excitement that a walk naturally elicits, because their emotional response has become associated with the sound of your keys.
However, not all dogs will associate those jingling keys with joy and happiness. Some may begin to associate the sound of your keys with you leaving for work, which may elicit feelings of anxiety and fear. When negative emotions become repeatedly associated with certain stimuli, behavioral issues can arise.
For example, if a dog has a frightening experience with a person wearing a hat, it might start associating all people wearing hats with fear. In these cases, the dog’s emotional reaction (fear or anxiety) becomes conditioned to a specific trigger, leading to unwanted and often problematic behaviors like excessive barking, lunging, fear or aggression.
This is where counterconditioning comes in as a solution.
What is Counterconditioning?
Counterconditioning is a behavior modification technique that involves changing a dog’s emotional response to a trigger by pairing it with something positive. The goal is to shift the dog’s reaction from fear, anxiety, or aggression to a more relaxed and positive emotional state.
Essentially, counterconditioning works by replacing the negative association with a new, positive one. Instead of reacting to the trigger with fear or stress, the dog learns to associate it with something enjoyable, such as treats, toys, or affection.
Real-Life Example of Counterconditioning
Imagine a dog who barks and lunges at the sight of other dogs during walks. This behavior might be rooted in fear, frustration, or previous negative experiences. To countercondition this behavior, you would start by identifying a distance at which your dog can see other dogs without reacting (under threshold). At this distance, every time your dog sees another dog, you reward them with high-value treats, helping them form a new, positive association with the sight of other dogs.
Over time, as the dog starts associating other dogs with positive rewards, you can gradually decrease the distance between them, always ensuring the dog remains relaxed and under their threshold of reactivity. Eventually, your dog may see other dogs and look to you for a treat instead of reacting fearfully or aggressively.
Why Counterconditioning Works
Counterconditioning is effective because it addresses the emotional cause of behavior problems rather than just managing the symptoms. By changing the underlying emotional response, you create lasting change that improves the dog’s overall well-being. Importantly, counterconditioning is humane and scientifically proven—it doesn’t rely on punishment or fear but focuses on building positive associations and fostering trust.
When to Seek Professional Help
While counterconditioning can be highly effective, some behaviors may require guidance from a professional dog trainer or behavior consultant, especially if your dog exhibits severe fear, aggression, or reactivity. At The Cooperative Canine, we can help ensure that this process is tailored to your dog’s specific needs and progresses at the right pace.
NOTE: Classical conditioning is only effective when a dog’s behavior is driven by an involuntary response (unconditioned) such as fear or happiness. (i.e., barking at the doorbell, other dogs, hearing a loud noise, etc.)
