What is Counter-Conditioning?

If you’ve ever had a reactive dog, you know how challenging and stressful walks can be. My dog used to redirect (bite me) every time another dog approached—lunging, barking, and making outings anything but enjoyable. But through consistent counter conditioning, he’s now a dog I can trust in public, one who looks to me for guidance instead of reacting impulsively. Let me share how we made this transformation and how you can do it too.

Step 1: Charging the Clicker

The first step in counter conditioning is to "charge" a clicker, which means teaching your dog that the sound of the clicker equals a reward. This is a simple yet crucial step. I started by clicking the clicker and immediately giving my dog a high-value treat. We repeated this process multiple times until my dog associated the click with something positive—either food or his ball. This step lays the groundwork for what comes next.

Step 2: Conditioning the Click to Move Towards You

Once the clicker was charged, the next step was to condition my dog to come towards me whenever he heard the clicker. We practiced this at home and in calm environments, where there were minimal distractions. I would click and using the lead, I would guide him towards me while jogging backwards. This conditioned his response to the clicker to run towards me.

Step 3: Introducing the Trigger

Now, it was time to introduce the trigger—in our case, other dogs. Instead of letting my dog fixate or react negatively, I waited for him to notice the other dog. The moment he looked at the trigger, I clicked. This marked the behaviour, and my dog immediately came back to me for his reward. Over time, this counter-conditioned his response. Instead of confronting the other dog, he learned to come towards me, expecting a positive outcome—a reward.

Changing Mindsets

This process does more than just change your dog’s behaviour; it changes their mindset. My dog went from thinking anxiously about other dogs—seeing them as threats—to thinking positively about the reward he would get by focusing on me instead. This shift in mindset is crucial. Instead of being overwhelmed by anxiety or aggression, my dog began to anticipate something good whenever he saw another dog.

One of the most powerful aspects of counter conditioning is its ability to break fixation when timed perfectly. Fixation is when your dog locks onto a trigger and can’t think about anything else. By marking the moment of fixation with a click, you can interrupt this pattern, redirecting your dog’s attention back to you. This gives you more control over the situation, allowing you to guide your dog’s behaviour in a positive direction.

Marking Positive Interactions

Counter conditioning isn’t just for reactivity; it’s also a great tool for reinforcing positive interactions. I used this technique during a pack walk with some well-balanced dogs. When the other dogs sniffed my dog, I clicked to mark the interaction. My dog calmly removed himself from the situation by returning to me for his reward, diffusing any potential discomfort. This same technique worked perfectly when I put my dog in a down position as a spaniel approached. The spaniel decided to investigate, but instead of reacting, my dog held his down. I clicked to release him, and he calmly came to me for his reward. 

Consistency is Key

Counter conditioning is a powerful tool, but it requires consistent practice and perfect timing. When done correctly, it teaches our dogs how to behave differently in uncomfortable situations, allowing them to remain calm and collected. It opens the door to more engagement between you and your dog, making your bond stronger and your walks more enjoyable.

The transformation I’ve seen in my dog through counter conditioning has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s gone from a reactive dog who redirected every time another dog approached to a calm, confident dog who not only looks to me for guidance but is learning to trust me. If you’re struggling with a reactive dog, I encourage you to try this technique. With patience and consistency, you can help your dog develop the skills they need to navigate the world more comfortably, while giving yourself more control and peace of mind on your walks.