{"id":21798,"date":"2022-09-13T10:38:51","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T16:38:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=21798"},"modified":"2022-09-13T10:38:53","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T16:38:53","slug":"trigger-stacking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/dogs\/trigger-stacking","title":{"rendered":"Trigger Stacking in Dogs & Anxiety Overload"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Just like people can get triggered, dogs get triggered. Being aware of what is triggering your dog is essential for helping them succeed, develop a training plan that meets your dog\u2019s needs, and doesn\u2019t put them in a position where they are going to be uncomfortable or overstimulated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When dogs face too many triggers in short succession they can experience \u201ctrigger stacking.\u201d With trigger stacking dogs become overwhelmed and unable to regulate their emotions or respond to cues their person gives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Triggers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Triggers are anything that elicits a heightened response from your dog. Triggers aren\u2019t always stressful events that upset your dog, they can also be things they find exciting and rewarding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, it might look like a dog who really loves playing fetch may be overstimulated and unable to regulate the build-up of its emotional and behavioral response after a prolonged fetch session or watching other dogs playing fetch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, triggers are any signs,<\/a> smells, or experiences that raise your dog\u2019s arousal or stress level. Some very emotionally balanced dogs may have few or virtually no obvious triggers. On the other hand, dogs who are anxious can have a wide range of triggers that make them more prone to reactivity and increased stress hormones like cortisol<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Triggers can have sight, hearing, or smell components depending on your dog. For example, for a dog-reactive dog, the sound of jingling tags from your neighbor’s dog, even if they can\u2019t see the dog, can be just as triggering as seeing a dog across the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Arousal Levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To understand triggers, and trigger stacking it\u2019s important to first understand arousal.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arousal is a neutral term that references a dog being in a heightened (positive or frustrated) emotional space. A dog who is in an aroused state is a dog who is amped up and ready for action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a dog who is experiencing a high level of arousal might be hyped up in anticipation for its toy to be thrown. When a dog is in an aroused state, they are fixated on the object of its arousal be that a toy, another dog, a skateboard, load noises from a garbage truck, etc.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High arousal levels make it very difficult for dogs to be redirected or to shift focus.\u00a0When dogs get triggered their arousal levels increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Trigger Stacking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Similar to going over a dog’s threshold, trigger <\/a>stacking occurs when multiple triggering situations or experiences occur in quick succession. Specifically, overly excitable or stressful experiences that take dogs out of a headspace where they can respond to cues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When these triggering (positive or negative) experiences happen close together it doesn’t give dogs the opportunity to recover and regulate their emotions.\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This means that instead of calming down after being triggered by a situation, your dog\u2019s arousal builds up with each subsequent trigger. The result is your dog becomes less able to manage its emotions, and less capable of responding to your cues to support emotional regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the purposes of this article, we will mostly be discussing negative trigger stacking and the impact it can have on training, dog behavior, or something as simple as going for a walk with your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trigger stacking is upsetting for dogs, and stressful for people. When dogs experience trigger stacking they are overwhelmed and unable to calm down. When your dog feels emotional overload, this translates into behaviors like barking, lunging, or shutting down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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