What these words mean

Arousal means nervous-system activation. Play, anticipation, fear, frustration, pain and conflict can all increase arousal. Threshold is the point at which the dog can no longer process or respond normally. Trigger stacking occurs when several stresses accumulate without sufficient recovery. Recovery is part of training and welfare.

Approaching threshold

Possible signs: faster scanning, fixed attention, loss of food interest, taking food unusually hard, increased vocalisation, pulling or surging, frantic sniffing, reduced response to known cues, freezing, pacing, inability to settle.

Helpful response

Create distance, reduce intensity, end or shorten the session, allow safe sniffing, return to familiar behaviour, protect rest, avoid repeatedly provoking a reaction, and change the environment before demanding more obedience.

Training works best below threshold. Management protects the dog and others when learning is not currently possible.