11/30/2023
Threshold is a spectrum. At any given moment, our dogs fall somewhere on a spectrum to being at or over threshold. This same is true for us, their guardians. In reality, all living beings are somewhere on this spectrum. There are triggers everywhere in life, near (immediate antecedents) and distant (distance antecedents).
When it comes to our dogs, they may be dealing with distant triggers such as but not restricted to:
🐾new environment
🐾disruption in known environments
🐾poor or lack of quality sleep
🐾lacking mental stimulation
🐾poor nutrition
🐾yesterday's wind storm
🐾an overly exciting day at day care
🐾and so on
OR near triggers such as but not restricted to
🐾large diesel truck roaring down the road
🐾being in a new location
🐾a dog running their fence line across the road
🐾hunger/thirst
🐾birds flying overhead
🐾storms in the distance
🐾acute pain
🐾new or uncomfortable harness
🐾acute underlying pain, hunger, etc.
Similarly, in order to help our dogs through any given day, it is necessary to know where you dog may fall, on this spectrum. Just like us, our dogs struggle to learn and make good choices when they are over their threshold. Humans are no different, when we are stressed or anxious, we lose our ability to think logically and clearly let alone learn in that moment.
To get a gauge of where your dog may be on the spectrum, take stock of what they look like when they are under threshold, at threshold or over their emotional threshold. Dependent upon where they are, adjust your responses accordingly: manage the situation or teach.
How can you know? While becoming well versed in canine body language would be extremely helpful, you can also run a high level “diagnostic”.
🐾Ask your dog for a well-known simple cue. Do they do what was asked, quickly, calmly and with ease? Your dog is likely under threshold so you can use this as a teaching moment.
🐾If your dog can do what you have asked but they are slow to respond, they are likely at threshold. In this such case, you can consider gaining some distance from the trigger and yourselves and then teach OR, use management to guide them through.
🐾If they are unable to respond to you, they are likely over threshold. While it is likely that a dog over threshold is reacting with more overt response (barking, lunging, pacing, etc), the inability to respond can too be an indicator. In such a case, help them through the moment using management.
Management can take many different forms depending upon the situation. But as a good rule of thumb, get distance from the situation/trigger that is causing your dog concern. Help them through the moment by guiding them to “safety” and then giving them back some agency when it is safe to do so.
