Welcome to The Positive Canine
Specialists in Canine Behaviour
"Karolina is the best trainer we've had"
Coping Thresholds & Trigger Stacking
As a canine behaviour consultant, one of the most common challenges I see is dogs reacting to situations in ways that might feel overwhelming or even unpredictable for their guardians. Whether it's barking at other dogs, lunging at cyclists, or growling at strangers, these behaviours are often linked to a dog’s coping threshold. Understanding how reactivity thresholds work—and how distance, duration, and intensity play a role—can be incredibly helpful for managing and improving your dog’s behaviour. Let’s break it down.
​
What is a Reactivity Threshold?
​
Think of your dog's reactivity threshold as a sort of "line in the sand." This is the point at which your dog starts to feel overwhelmed by a trigger (like another dog, a loud noise, or a specific person). Before reaching that threshold, your dog can stay calm, relaxed and in control of their emotions. But once that threshold is crossed, the dog might react—barking, lunging, or showing other signs of stress or anxiety.
This threshold varies from dog to dog, and it's influenced by three important factors: distance, duration, and intensity.
-
Distance: This is how far away a trigger is from your dog. If your dog sees another dog in the distance, they might be fine as long as the other dog is far enough away. However, as that dog gets closer, your dog might start to feel uncomfortable or frustrated, and eventually, they’ll reach their reactivity threshold and react. The key is that increasing the distance can often help keep your dog below their threshold, making it easier to manage their response.
-
Duration: How long your dog is exposed to a trigger matters too. If your dog only sees a trigger for a short moment, they may not react. But if the trigger sticks around for a longer period, your dog might feel more stressed. For example, a dog barking in the distance for a few seconds might be manageable, but if the barking continues for minutes, your dog could become more agitated and eventually react.
-
Intensity: The intensity of a trigger is about how strong or overwhelming it is. A dog might be okay with a small, quiet dog nearby but could react to a large, boisterous dog charging towards them. The more intense the trigger, the closer they are to reaching their reactivity threshold. Managing intensity involves understanding your dog’s comfort zone and ensuring they don’t encounter situations that are too intense for them to handle.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
What is Trigger Stacking?
​
Now, let’s talk about trigger stacking. Imagine a dog has several stressful experiences in a short amount of time—maybe they get startled by a loud noise, have an uncomfortable interaction with a dog, and then encounter a person they feel unsure about. Each of these experiences is a “trigger.” When triggers build up like this, one on top of the other, it’s called trigger stacking.
When a dog’s threshold is "stacked" with multiple triggers, it lowers the dog’s ability to handle the next stressful event, even if it is not something they would normally mind. Even if each trigger individually might not push them over their threshold, the combination of triggers can lead to an overwhelming response. It’s like a person getting frustrated after a series of minor inconveniences—eventually, something small might push them to their breaking point.
​
How Does Trigger Stacking Affect Reactivity?
​
Trigger stacking can make your dog more likely to react aggressively or anxiously. After a few triggers, even a minor one can result in a big reaction because your dog is already at or near their threshold. The more triggers your dog faces, the more sensitive they can become to new ones. For example, if your dog is already stressed from a noisy car ride, and then encounters an overly excited dog at the park, they may react much more strongly than they would have otherwise. The key here is to be mindful of what your dog is experiencing and try to manage or reduce exposure to multiple stressors at once.
​
How to Help Your Dog Stay Below Their Threshold
​
The best way to manage your dog’s reactivity is by preventing them from going over their threshold in the first place. Here’s how:
-
Increase distance: Give your dog space from potential triggers to prevent them from becoming overwhelmed.
-
Monitor duration: Don’t expose your dog to triggers for long periods. If they’re getting stressed, remove them from the situation.
-
Manage intensity: Avoid situations where the intensity of the trigger is too high for your dog to handle comfortably.
-
Reduce trigger stacking: Be mindful of the triggers your dog experiences throughout the day, and try to limit their exposure to multiple stressors in a short amount of time.
​Keeping your dog on DRY LAND will allow your dog to learn and process information: this way they can gradually become more comfortable and learn to cope.
​
If you find yourself stuck in an endless loop of unpredictable reactions, it is time to get some help. Contact today for a free no obligation chat.