During a desensitization session, monitoring stress signs allows you to:

During a desensitization session, monitoring stress signs allows you to:

• A. Increase intensity immediately
• B. Extend the session beyond safe limits
• C. Reduce intensity
• D. Remove reinforcement

Answer: (C)

Keeping the dog’s arousal within a safe, workable range is essential when desensitizing to a trigger. By watching stress cues—such as a tense body, lip licking, yawning, or avoidance—you know when the stimulus is getting too strong and learning may fail. The correct move is to reduce the stimulus intensity, or pause and rebuild at a lower level with more reinforcement until the dog stays relaxed. This approach prevents fear from escalating and supports gradual, positive associations with the trigger. Pushing the intensity higher or extending the session beyond safe limits can push the dog into fear or panic, undermining progress, and removing reinforcement undermines the motivation to stay calm and slows learning.

Keeping the dog’s arousal within a safe, workable range is essential when desensitizing to a trigger. By watching stress cues—such as a tense body, lip licking, yawning, or avoidance—you know when the stimulus is getting too strong and learning may fail. The correct move is to reduce the stimulus intensity, or pause and rebuild at a lower level with more reinforcement until the dog stays relaxed. This approach prevents fear from escalating and supports gradual, positive associations with the trigger. Pushing the intensity higher or extending the session beyond safe limits can push the dog into fear or panic, undermining progress, and removing reinforcement undermines the motivation to stay calm and slows learning.