Trigger stacking

The basic concept is that a number of triggers stack up to push your dog over-threshold. Once they are over-threshold, they can't listen and training won't work.

Various training theories talk about your dog's stress "bucket". Positive experiences and rest help to empty the bucket. Stressful experiences and challenges fill up the bucket. Once the bucket is full, your dog is over-threshold and is not in a space where they can listen or learn.

Dogs vary on what fills their bucket and how quickly they are able to empty it.

When George was at his most reactive, I didn't pay as much attention to trigger stacking.  He reacted to everything so triggers were constantly stacked.

I wish I had understood the concept earlier. When George barked 'out of the blue' at something, odds are there had been a number of triggers slowly increasing his stress bucket.

If I had understood trigger stacking, and been more aware of George's triggers, I could have recognised when he needed a break.

It also links with better management. By reducing George's exposure to triggers, I am helping to empty the bucket, or at least stop it from filling up.

Now that George is doing a little better and not reacting constantly, I try to be very aware of trigger stacking.

Some are obvious. I know that if we bump into the neighbours on the way out of the house that it will be a more stressful walk. That's why I do everything possible to avoid that situation (which is not always possible).

Some are more subtle. One person went by and George seemed fine. Another person went by and he seemed fine. By the third person, he reacts.

I don't always get it right. I think I pushed George too hard on a walk the other day.

He was doing well walking past people whilst getting high-value rewards. We made it past a couple of dogs. But there were quite a few people and dogs about. As he was doing well, we kept going.

In order to create space, we walked on some wet grass which George didn't like. When we passed the next dog he reacted - barking and lunging and not responding to food.

We still had to get back to the car and he reacted to everything - even a woman walking by herself which is more unusual now.

I wish we had headed back after he had handled a couple of triggers instead of keeping going. He'd done really well and I got over-confident which resulted in him struggling. His bucket was full.

For me now it's about better understanding George's behaviour and emotions, trying to recognise when to call it a day, and when to introduce an extra rest day if the triggers have constantly stacked.

If you're not sure why your dog is reacting, it is helpful to be aware of trigger stacking. What they actually react to might not be the only or main trigger.