Trigger Stacking: Dog Training Corpus Christi

Understanding Triggers for Dog Training

Trigger Stacking happens when several scary or stressful situations for a dog occur in a short amount of time, making them feel overwhelmed. Even dogs who aren't usually reactive or anxious can display a reaction disproportionately large compared to a typically small stressor due to an increase in cortisol, the natural stress hormone released during the fight-or-flight response. This increase may lead them to behave out of character, possibly resulting in growling, snapping, or even biting. Recognizing when they are experiencing this can allow you to help them overcome it.

All dogs have different stressors, whether it be trips to the vet, being groomed, barking dogs, or just variances from their routine. Do not compare them to other dogs while you're trying to identify what triggers them. When several of them occur in a row and your dog reacts to these distractions, their stress can grow to the point that they aren't able to focus on you therefore it's more difficult to calm them down. While training, it's important to avoid "Flooding": the (often intentional) exposure to multiple triggers in a short time. When dogs don't get the chance to recover from stimulation before a new one is introduced, it becomes Trigger Stacking.

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Training Expert

Speak With A Dog Training Expert

Understanding Triggers for Dog Training

All dogs have different stressors, whether it be trips to the vet, being groomed, barking dogs, or just variances from their routine. Do not compare

Speak With A Dog

Training Expert

Speak With A Dog Training Expert

them to other dogs while you're trying to identify what triggers them. When several of them occur in a row and your dog reacts to these distractions, their stress can grow to the point that they aren't able to focus on you therefore it's more difficult to calm them down. While training, it's important to avoid "Flooding": the (often intentional) exposure to multiple triggers in a short time. When dogs don't get the chance to recover from stimulation before a new one is introduced, it becomes Trigger Stacking.

Advice From a Dog Trainer

Counter to the common mindset, Flooding them does not desensitize or shift behavior; it can actually worsen phobias or reactivity. Over time you can recondition with positive associations. Even if you do everything in your power to keep them "below threshold" (before the stress level of so much stimulus that they can't focus on you), sometimes we end up in unpredictable circumstances where we just have to get through the moment and out of the situation as quickly as possible. Advocate for your dog in these scenarios by requesting space or exiting via a quieter route. Do not linger, keep your dog close to you and lead them away with treats. Dogs have limited memory of past events, so positive reinforcement and treats can turn this into a learning experience for the future.

The most important thing is to give your dog recovery time to decompress after Trigger Stacking occurs. Allow their cortisol level to go back down, which can even take up to a few days for some anxious dogs or relatively quickly for others. Give them time to take a break in their safe space or a quiet location, have a nap, a mentally stimulating treat-filled toy, or a distraction in the form of a stress-relieving fun activity. Puzzle feeders are a wonderful way to give them treats and a mentally stimulating fun activity all in one! If you recognize the signs of Trigger Stacking in your dog but don't know how to reverse the effects, or have tried to do so and don't think there has been improvement, Elite-K9 has a lot of professional experience with anxiety stressors and we would love to help your furry family member get back on the right track!