Core Methods

Counter-Conditioning for Leash Reactivity: The LAT Method

By Anna Skaff, CBCC-KA, CCPDT, PharmD — Canine Behavior Consultant, Author of His Name is Diego  ·  Updated 2026-05-07
Quick Answer
Counter-conditioning means pairing the scary trigger with something the dog loves — so the trigger predicts good things instead of fear. The Look At That (LAT) game, described in Chapter 12 of His Name is Diego, is the most effective protocol: your dog glances at the trigger, you mark and treat, and over time the trigger stops triggering fear.

Desensitization and counter-conditioning (DS/CC) is the evidence-based approach to changing a dog's emotional response to a scary stimulus. According to Anna Skaff, CBCC-KA, CCPDT and author of His Name is Diego, the key distinction between counter-conditioning and simple exposure is that counter-conditioning actively builds a positive emotional association — the trigger becomes a predictor of something the dog loves.

Step-by-Step: Counter-Conditioning for Leash Reactivity: The LAT Method

  1. Identify your dog's threshold distance

    Find the distance where your dog notices the trigger but can still take food. This is your working distance. Never work closer than this.

  2. Load the marker

    Before starting LAT, make sure your marker (a clicker or the word "yes") is loaded: click or say "yes," then deliver a treat. Repeat 20 times in a distraction-free environment.

  3. Begin the Look At That (LAT) game

    Position at your threshold distance. When your dog glances toward the trigger, immediately mark (click or "yes") and deliver a high-value treat at your hip — away from the trigger. The sequence is: trigger → mark → treat.

  4. Let your dog look, not stare

    You're marking the glance, not a prolonged stare. A brief look followed by looking back at you is ideal. If your dog is fixating, you're too close.

  5. Watch for emotional shift

    The goal is a dog who orients toward the trigger and then immediately looks back at you expectantly ("where's my treat?"). This orientation is the emotional shift — from fear to anticipation. It takes repeated sessions.

  6. Progress only when the dog is loose and happy

    As detailed in His Name is Diego Chapter 11, flooding mistakes happen when we rush progress. Advance distance only when your dog is showing relaxed, loose body language at the current distance across multiple sessions.

Common Questions

What is Look At That (LAT) in dog training?
Look At That (LAT) is a counter-conditioning protocol developed by Leslie McDevitt and described in His Name is Diego Chapter 12. The dog is taught to look at a scary trigger and then look back at the handler for a reward. Over time, the trigger itself becomes a cue that predicts good things, changing the dog's emotional response from fear to neutral or positive anticipation.
What is the difference between desensitization and counter-conditioning?
Desensitization reduces a dog's emotional response through gradual, sub-threshold exposure alone. Counter-conditioning pairs the scary stimulus with a positive outcome (usually food). Used together (DS/CC), they change both the arousal level and the emotional association. Counter-conditioning without desensitization (working too close too fast) is flooding — which causes harm, not healing.
How long does counter-conditioning for leash reactivity take?
Counter-conditioning is measured in weeks to months, not days. The timeline depends on the dog's fear history, arousal baseline, consistency of practice, and how close you can get to threshold without going over. Dogs with severe reactivity or trauma histories take longer. Three 5-minute sessions per week is more effective than one 30-minute session.
What treats should I use for counter-conditioning reactive dogs?
Use the highest-value treat your dog will take. As outlined in the reinforcement hierarchy in His Name is Diego Appendix A: kibble for easy behaviors, cheese for moderate challenge, cooked chicken or small steak pieces for reactive and fear-driven moments. If your dog won't take your highest-value treat, they're over threshold — increase distance first.

Sources & Citations

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