If your dog is over threshold, he’s likely experiencing a high level of arousal, fear, stress, or excitement that surpasses his ability to think, learn, or respond appropriately.
When a dog is over threshold, they may exhibit extreme reactions such as barking, lunging, growling, or shutting down entirely.
This often happens when some stimulus that the dog perceives as too intense (e.g., another dog, a stranger, a loud noise) is too close, pushing the dog beyond their comfort zone.
If your dog is over threshold, it’s difficult for him to focus and he will be unable to process information. This prevents him from being able to respond to cues and learn new behaviors.
Let’s take a closer look at what it means when a dog is over threshold, and most of all, what you can do to help lower his threshold levels so that he can form positive associations and learn appropriate responses rather than reacting out of fear or frustration.
What Does It Mean For a Dog to Be Over Threshold?
Being over threshold means that a dog is so stressed, scared, or excited that they just can’t think, listen, or learn. Their emotions take over, and they react instinctively, barking, lunging, running away, or even freezing.
Imagine you’re terrified of spiders, and suddenly, someone dumps a bucket of them on you. Would you calmly listen to instructions? Solve a math problem? Probably not! That’s what happens when your dog goes over threshold.
For training or behavior modification to work, you want to keep your dog under threshold, at that perfect level where they notice something, but can still stay calm, take treats, and respond to you.
If you own a dog, most likely at some time or another, he must have been over threshold. Need some examples?
Examples of a Dog Being Over Threshold
Here are some examples of a dog being over threshold:
Picture this: You’re walking your dog, when suddenly, out of the blue, a squirrel darts across the path. Your dog now transforms into a sled dog in the Iditarod, yanking you off your feet.
Your dog is so fixated on the squirrel that he can’t see you or hear you. He can’t take treats, and certainly forgot all his previous training.
Here’s another example: You are driving and your dog is fine in the car, but the second you step into the vet’s office, he starts panting, whining, and trying to bolt for the exit. His stress level has skyrocketed, and no amount of “good boy” talk or treats will bring them back down.
Maybe you are too familiar with this scene: The doorbell rings, and your dog launches into full-blown defense mode, barking, spinning, and bouncing off the furniture like a kangaroo who had too many coffees.
Here’s the thing: when a dog is over threshold, they’re emotionally flooded, they can’t focus, learn, or respond appropriately. Their fight-or-flight response kicks in, and all cognitive thinking flies out the window.
For training, you want to work under threshold, finding that perfect sweet spot where your dog is aware of a trigger, but he is still able to think, listen, and take treats.
So if you want to avoid being dragged into a bush by a squirrel-chasing lunatic, you’ll need to keep your dog under threshold.
Understanding Comfort Level and Fear Threshold
Here is a general guideline that can help you gauge whether your dog is comfortable, starting to go over threshold and reaching threshold.
Under Threshold
Your dog is aware of the stimulus (e.g., a feared object, dog or person approaching, or a sound), but is still relaxed and does not display signs of fear or distress.
At this level, your dog remains capable of learning and forming positive associations because he is calm.
At Threshold
Your dog starts becoming aware of the stimulus. He’s oriented towards it and may start becoming somewhat concerned. He may start to exhibit early signs of stress such as lip licking, yawning, being hyper vigilant.
Over Threshold
As your dog crosses goes over threshold, he enters a state of emotional reactivity, where fear and stress take over. At this stage, learning is impaired because the dog’s brain prioritizes survival (fight or flight) over forming new, positive associations.
3 Reasons You Need to Keep Your Dog Under Threshold
Following is why it’s so important for you to keep your dog under threshold:
- Dogs Learn Best When They Feel Safe
Fear, anxiety and overexcitement inhibit the dog’s ability to process and retain new information. To learn, the dog must remain in a state where they can perceive the feared stimulus without being overwhelmed.
2. It Helps Prevent Sensitization
When a dog is repeatedly exposed to a stimulus in a way that triggers fear, the result may be sensitization rather than desensitization. Sensitization makes the dog more reactive over time, as repeated exposure at a high intensity reinforces their fear response.
Just like having a bucket of spiders dumped on you if you have a phobia won’t likely solve your fear of spiders, so does exposing a fearful dog to something that scares them at full intensity (flooding).
This process won’t help them get over it, in fact, it will probably make things worse. Instead of “getting used to it,” the dog becomes more anxious and reactive each time they encounter the trigger.
3. It Helps Maintain Trust in the Handler
Pushing a dog beyond their comfort zone can damage the trust between the dog and their handler. If the dog feels forced into situations where they are afraid, they may come to associate their handler with stress, which can worsen anxiety and complicate future training efforts.
Signs a Dog Is Going Over Threshold
Being able to read a dog’s body language is crucial for keeping a dog below their fear threshold. Look for these signs:
Subtle Signs (Early Indicators)
- Lip licking
- Yawning,
- Nose licking.
- Turning the head away
- Avoiding eye contact.
- Ears pulled back
- Tension in the face or body.
- Panting when not hot or thirsty
Evident Signs of Fear or Stress
- Whining, barking, or growling.
- Pacing or restlessness.
- Freezing
- Attempting to hide.
- Attempting to flee or escape.
- Drooling
- Trembling.
When these signs appear, it’s an indication that the threshold has been crossed, and the session should be paused or adjusted to reduce the intensity of the stimulus.
What Causes Dogs to Go Over Threshold?
Following are several triggers and situations that may cause dogs to go over threshold. Being aware of these triggers/situations is crucial so as to prevent the dog from relapsing.
Moving Too Quickly Through Steps
Dog owners often rush through the process, exposing the dog to a stimulus too intensely or too soon, such as moving too close to the feared object or introducing it for too long.
Example: If a dog is afraid of cars, taking them on a short drive before they are comfortable just being near a stationary car can set the process back significantly.
Failing to Adjust Based on the Dog’s Response
Dogs are individuals and you cannot use a cookie-cutter approach to address their emotions. A common error is to therefore stick rigidly to a predefined plan without adapting to the individual dog’s needs and responses.
Not Recognizing Subtle Stress Signals
Early signs of fear are often overlooked, leading to situations where the dog is inadvertently pushed beyond their threshold. Hence, the important of recognizing early signs of stress.
Inconsistent Application
If the stimulus is sometimes presented in a non-controlled manner (e.g., an uncontrolled car passing by during training), it can confuse the dog and slow progress.
How to Avoid Your Dog From Going Over Threshold
There are several steps you can take to prevent your dog from being pushed too far. Here are several strategies that help keep your dog under threshold.
Start at a Distance or Intensity Your Dog Tolerates
Begin with a version of the stimulus that is so mild the dog doesn’t react. For example, if the dog fears cars, you might start with the car parked and the engine off at a significant distance.
Progress Gradually and Systematically
Increase exposure intensity (e.g., proximity, duration, or realism of the stimulus) in small, incremental steps. Always monitor the dog’s body language to ensure they remain comfortable.
Use High-Value Reinforcers
Pair the stimulus with something the dog loves, like treats, toys, or praise. This builds a positive emotional association with the stimulus and helps the dog stay below their fear threshold.
Organize Short and Frequent Sessions
Keep training sessions short to prevent stress and fatigue. Frequent, low-pressure sessions are more effective than long, overwhelming ones.
Control the Environment
Ensure the training environment is free from additional stressors that could compound the dog’s anxiety. For instance, train in a quiet area where distractions are minimal.
Signs of Success
You know you’re staying below the fear threshold and progressing effectively when:
- Your dog remains calm and relaxed in the presence of the stimulus.
- Your dog willingly engages with you (e.g., takes treats, responds to cues).
- Your dog begins to exhibit neutral or even positive body language (e.g., wagging tail, relaxed posture) around the stimulus.
- Your dog is able to tolerate closer proximity or increased intensity of the stimulus without showing signs of fear.
Is a Dog Under Threshold If He’s Able to Take Treats?
Not necessarily. Some dogs will still eat even when stressed, while others may refuse food at the slightest discomfort.
To determine if a dog is truly under threshold, look at their overall behavior:
If the dog take treats calmly and willingly, they are usually likely under threshold. Do they take treats hurriedly (grabby mouthing) or with stiffness? Then they may be close to threshold.
If they refuse treats, they are likely over threshold and too stressed to eat.
Treat-taking is just one clue. It’s always best assess body language, responsiveness, and the dog’s overall emotional state for the full picture.
Concluding Thoughts
As seen, repeated exposure to a scary stimulus at full intensity can make a dog’s fear worse (sensitization) instead of better (desensitization). To help a fearful dog, introduce the trigger gradually and in a way that keeps them calm (under threshold) so they can learn and potentially form positive associations with the trigger (counterconditioning) rather than negative ones.