Uncover the Details That Make Counter-Conditioning So Effective

And find out where you may be going wrong!

  • Understand Why Counter-Conditioning Works

    Explore the science behind counter-conditioning and learn how changing emotional responses can help dogs feel more comfortable and confident around previously frightening situations.

  • Avoid Common Mistakes That Limit Success

    Discover the most frequent errors people make when implementing counter-conditioning and learn the key details that can make the difference between success and frustration.

  • Create More Effective Behaviour Change Plans

    Learn how to develop clear, practical counter-conditioning plans, when to combine them with desensitisation, and how to apply these principles whether you use counter-conditioning, positive reinforcement, or a combination of both.

Counter-conditioning is one of the most powerful tools available...

Yet many well-intentioned training plans fail because of small but important implementation errors.

In this insightful course, you'll explore the details that make counter-conditioning effective, including creating clear contingencies, understanding the role of surprise, and knowing when and how to combine counter-conditioning with desensitisation.

You'll also learn how to communicate these concepts clearly to clients, helping them achieve better results with the dogs in their care.

Whether you're a trainer, behaviour consultant, canine professional, or dedicated owner, this course will help you refine your understanding of behaviour change and develop more effective, evidence-based training plans that support both learning and emotional wellbeing.
Presenter Zazie Todd is pictured sitting on a chair outside on a sunny day. She is wearing a red cardigan and is holding her dog Pepper a black and white shitz zu cross.

What's Included?

  • Topics Covered

    The principles and science behind effective counter-conditioning.

    How counter-conditioning helps change emotional responses to fear-inducing stimuli.

    Common mistakes that reduce the effectiveness of counter-conditioning.

    Creating clear contingencies that support learning.

    The role of surprise and why timing matters.

    When and how to combine counter-conditioning with desensitisation.

    Developing effective counter-conditioning plans for real-world cases.

    Applying these principles within positive reinforcement training approaches.

    Communicating counter-conditioning concepts clearly to clients.

    Helping clients achieve better outcomes through improved implementation.

  • 2 Hours of Learning

    1.5 hour presentation followed by a 30 min Q+A session.

    Accessibility

    This webinar has close captions in English and a .pdf of Zazie's slide pack (low res) is available to download(for student use only).

  • CEUs for Pros

    If you are a professional and need CEUs, this course offers:

    CCPDT: 2 for Trainers and Behaviorists
    IAABC: 2

    Continue the Learning With Zazie

    With a free checklist plus discounts for Zazie's courses and books.

Meet Your Instructor

Animal Behaviorist, Author

Zazie Todd, PhD.

Zazie Todd, PhD, is an animal behaviour expert and the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. Her third book, Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog, won a Maxwell Medallion and the McFarland Best Book Award in the Dog Writer’s Association of America 2025 competition and has made multiple cameo appearances on UK Soap Coronation Street.

Todd is the director of Bark! Fest (the book festival for animal lovers), creator of Companion Animal Psychology blog, and has a column at Psychology Today. She produces and co-hosts The Pawsitive Post in Conversation podcast, the show about how to have a better relationship with your pet.

Todd has a PhD in Psychology, an Advanced Certificate of Feline Behaviour (with Distinction) from International Cat Care, and is an honours graduate of the Academy for Dog Trainers.

Originally from Leeds, UK, she lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, a dog and a cat.

Ready to Get Counter-Conditioning Right?

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