Cat Behavior: Counter Conditioning & Desensitization

Counter conditioning & desensitization are two wonderful behavior modification techniques that are super powerful when paired together.
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How can we help shy or fearful cats to trust us without using aversive & counter productive methods. We could easily just force ourselves onto kittens, right? They are so small, defenseless, easily held & manipulated. But we must realize that when we just move past their fear & anxiety, we are literally teaching them the wrong message & though it may seem to have quicker results our end goal will just take longer.
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In simple terms Counter conditioning is taking something that is scary for a cat & pairing it with something they love. It teaches them to associate that scary thing with something positive which in turn teaches them to not fear that scary thing anymore. While Desensitization is the process of introducing that scary thing very slowly & at a low intensity, gradually increasing it so it no longer is scary at all.
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Here is an example of counter conditioning & desensitization in action with some shy & fearful kittens. A more positive & effective way to create behavior change!

[@TookyClothespin.]

Thank you so much for these super helpful videos! I’m currently towards the beginning of socializing a semi-feral cat that I just got neutered through TNR and these videos are so helpful and informative.

[@jillianoldfield2300]

Wonderful video - thank you