For the purposes of working with dogs—especially those with fear and frustration issues—the definition of threshold is the lowest intensity at which a stimulus can be presented before causing a negative reaction. It can be difficult for humans to recognize when a dog is crossing their threshold. Our best clues come from observing a dog’s body language, but that is a skill that can take time to develop.
When we fail to work below a dog’s threshold, we set the dog up for failure—or at the very least, prolong the time it takes to train or address behavior problems. To be successful, our dogs need us to advocate for them by paying attention both to the environment and to their reactions to it.
Keeping a dog under threshold means keeping them in a state where they are not upset by the world around them. This might mean keeping triggers (the things that cause stress or excitement) at a distance or otherwise at a low intensity. We need our dogs focused on the task at hand, not worrying about the scary thing by the woodshed. A dog over threshold will have a much harder time responding to cues because they simply cannot pay attention to us. It’s not about being stubborn—it’s about being too distracted (scared, excited, etc.) to put their attention where we need it to be.
A dog under threshold is relaxed and able to focus. They will appear relaxed or curious and will respond to cues. They won’t be frozen and staring at someone in the distance, barking, lunging, or shutting down.
A dog who is under threshold will have a soft look and loose movements. Breathing will be natural—not labored or panting. Their body will be soft, not rigid, stiff, or “frozen.” Movement will be loose and fluid, not jerky or tense. A healthy, relaxed dog will take treats. They will be able to orient to their handler and will not be fixated on something in their environment. They will move freely rather than refusing to look around or lying down and refusing to get up.
When a dog is over threshold, learning can’t happen. This is what you see when a dog who behaves well in quiet environments suddenly finds themselves in a busy pet store or dog park full of other animals. It’s not that they are deliberately disobedient—they simply cannot listen. This isn’t a permanent state; they just need your help to get past it.
When dealing with behavior cases, putting a dog over threshold can cause setbacks. Any progress made in helping a dog feel more relaxed in an environment can disappear if they are pushed over threshold. Setting your dog up for success when working with their triggers builds trust. Your dog needs to know you will not put them into a dangerous situation—and while you might know a situation is safe, your dog might feel differently. We need to show our dogs we have their best interests in mind. This will lead to more success in training than if we push them into situations they cannot handle.
What can you do to avoid putting your dog in a bad situation?
Watching your dog’s body language is the best way to detect signs of stress and arousal. Some things to look for include:
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Tongue flicking (licking the nose)
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Panting when it’s not for cooling
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Furrowed brow
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Wide eyes (or seeing the whites of the eyes)
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Ears pushed back or down
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Sniffing the ground (fiddling about)
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Freezing (with or without staring)
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Standing, sitting, or lying down and refusing to move
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Humping
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Body posture that pulls away from a stimulus (have you ever reached for your dog and had them move away? Or had them lean away when you tried to do their nails?)
So what should our response be?
Foremost—do not ignore the signs. Move away from the stressor, make the task easier, or take a break. You’re not going to make good progress by pushing through, and you may damage the progress you’ve already made. It’s better to stop what you are doing, assess whether your dog is capable of continuing, and if they are, figure out how to make the task easier. Increase distance. Take a break. Make it easier.
Your dog will progress much faster if they feel safe and in control. Keeping it positive is the way to go if you want things to be quick and efficient. Your ability to respond to your dog will determine your success when you are faced with a difficult situation. When in doubt, back out.