What DMT Means Desensitization = Gradually exposing the dog to a trigger (something that causes fear, reactivity, or excitement) at a low enough intensity that they can stay calm. Counter-Conditioning = Changing the dog’s emotional response to that trigger by pairing it with something positive (like food, play, or praise). Put together, DMT is teaching the dog that the scary/overwhelming thing predicts good stuff, so over time, the trigger becomes neutral or even positive. How It Works in Practi