Description
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and distinguish the 4 methods of behavior modification (flooding, desensitization, classical counterconditioning, and operant counterconditioning) and understand how they fall under the broader categories of habituation and counterconditioning.
- Recognize why desensitization paired with counterconditioning is generally safer, faster, and more effective than flooding, and explain how flooding can sensitize an animal and make fear or aggression worse.
- Identify the common mistakes people make when attempting desensitization and counterconditioning, such as going over threshold, progressing too quickly, mislabeling a fearful response as “desensitization,” and removing the reward before removing the hand or stimulus.
- Describe the factors essential to performing these techniques safely and efficiently, including starting at low stimulus intensity, reading the animal’s response to decide when to advance, controlling movement and proximity, and keeping the animal below threshold.
- Apply desensitization and counterconditioning in practical settings such as technician-led behavior sessions, veterinary exams, and preventive training, to teach replacement behaviors and counter-condition animals to handling, procedures, equipment, and people.
