🚧 Understanding Triggers & Thresholds
Reactivity doesn’t come out of nowhere—and it doesn’t happen all the time. It shows up in specific moments, often with very specific triggers.
Understanding those moments matters.
This page will help you make sense of what sets off a reaction, and why your dog might respond differently on different days. We’ll explore the concept of thresholds, how stress builds up, and what to watch for so you can recognize when your dog is close to their limit.
Because when you understand what’s happening in the moment, you’re in a better position to help.
Not by pushing through, or expecting more than your dog can give—but by recognizing their experience, and making choices that support both of you.
It’s not about avoiding everything forever.
It’s about meeting your dog where they are—so real progress can begin.
🎥 Video & Resource Library
Learn what triggers reactions, how thresholds work, and how to spot the signs before things boil over. These videos will help you understand what’s really going on in the moment—so you can support your dog with more confidence and less stress.
🔔 What Is a Trigger?
Simple explanation of what a trigger is (internal or external), with real-life examples like bikes, dogs, strangers, loud noises, etc.
🚦 What Does “Threshold” Really Mean?
Breaks down under/near/over threshold with visuals (like a traffic light or thermometer) to make the concept stick.
👀 Reading Your Dog: Early Signs of Stress
Covers subtle signals like lip licking, freezing, or scanning—so you can step in before your dog hits their limit.
🌀 Why Your Dog Reacts One Day and Not the Next
Explains cumulative stress, trigger stacking, and how your dog’s “stress load” changes from day to day.
↔️ The Magic of Distance
Shows how even a few steps away can reduce tension and help your dog stay under threshold. Space is your secret weapon!
📄 Download & Explore: Visual Guides
Prefer a quick visual? These PDFs break down key concepts like stress buildup and thresholds in a simple, easy-to-understand format.
Great for saving to your phone or printing as a reminder when you’re out with your dog.
Understanding reactivity starts with knowing what sets your dog off.
The 3 T’s help you decode what's happening and guide your dog through it.
When your dog is mid-reaction, your job isn’t to train—it’s to stabilize.
These 3 S’s—Safety, Silence, and Space—help you stay calm, protect everyone involved, and get your dog back to a place where learning is possible.
🌿 What’s Next?
Once you understand what triggers reactivity and how thresholds work, you’re ready to start helping your dog in the moment.
Next up: a library of practical, real-life tools to use when reactivity shows up.
👉 Up Next: Explore the Reactivity Toolkit →