Trigger stacking
What is trigger stacking?
Trigger stacking is a psychological and physiological concept that explains how stressors build up over time, causing us to become overwhelmed and react in ways that might seem sudden or extreme. A seemingly minor event could push us past our tolerance threshold when we’ve already encountered multiple stressors throughout the day. Let’s look at an example with humans first:
Trigger 1: You wake up late for work and rush through your morning routine.
Trigger 2: You spill coffee on your shirt just as you're walking out the door.
Trigger 3: You get stuck in traffic on the way to work, arriving late for a meeting.
Each of these things might seem like no big deal on its own. However, when all these small stressful events pile up, they can cause a major emotional reaction. Maybe you snap at a colleague or feel overwhelmed by a small problem that wouldn't normally bother you. .
Understanding Trigger Stacking in Dogs: How Stress Builds and Overflows
Imagine your dog as a bucket. The bucket starts off empty, and throughout the day, small amounts of water are added to it. These "small amounts of water" are like the everyday stressors your dog faces — a loud noise, a new person walking by, or a slightly uncomfortable interaction. While each of these individual events may not be overwhelming, they gradually fill up the bucket. When the bucket gets too full, it overflows. This is when your dog becomes reactive, stressed, or even fearful, sometimes in ways that seem out of proportion to the event that triggered it; this could include barking, lunging or hiding. The overflow doesn’t happen because of the last stressor, but because the dog’s bucket had been filled gradually over time. Understanding this can help us better manage our dogs’ behaviour.
Let’s break this down:
Trigger 1: Your dog hears a loud car backfire while on a walk. It startles them, but they’re okay.
Trigger 2: The neighbor’s dog barks loudly as you pass by their house, causing a momentary spike in anxiety.
Trigger 3: You stop at a crowded park and your dog feels tense and unsure about all the unfamiliar faces.
Each of these events individually may not be a big deal, but they add up over time. The final event — maybe someone reaching out to pet your dog — could be the one that causes the bucket to overflow. Your dog might snap, retreat, or exhibit signs of fear or aggression because their stress has built up to a point where they can no longer handle one more trigger.
The Role of Cortisol: Why the Stress Bucket Stays Full
It's important to understand that stress doesn’t dissipate immediately. When your dog experiences stress, their body releases cortisol, the stress hormone, which helps them cope with the situation at hand. However, it can take up to 72 hours for cortisol to leave your dog's system. This means that even if your dog’s stressful event happened a day or two ago, the cortisol levels in their body can still be elevated, contributing to their stress levels. For example, if your dog had a stressful visit to the vet yesterday, followed by a noisy construction project near your home, their stress bucket may be much fuller than you realize. Adding even a minor trigger — like a brief encounter with another dog — could cause an overflow.
Reducing Your Dog’s Stress
Minimising trigger stacking can be key in reducing unwanted behaviour. Here are a few ways to help your dog manage their "bucket":
Break up stressful events: If you know your dog is sensitive to certain triggers, try to limit the amount of stress they face in one day. Walk them at quieter times, avoid crowded places, or keep a calm routine to prevent their bucket from filling too quickly.
Create a calm environment: Reduce unnecessary stress in your dog’s environment, such as avoiding constant noise or sudden changes. Having a safe space for them to retreat to when they feel overwhelmed can help them cope better.
Training and desensitization: Gradually exposing your dog to mild versions of stressors and rewarding calm behaviour can help them build resilience over time. This is especially useful for fearful or reactive dogs.
Decompression: Emptying the “stress bucket”
Decompression involves reducing your dog’s exposure to triggers after a particularly stressful event, creating a calm and quiet environment, and allowing them time to mentally and physically relax. Consider providing your dog with a space where they feel safe and secure, like a cozy bed or crate. This space should be free from overwhelming stimuli like loud noises, new people, or other pets. One of the best ways to help your dog decompress is to encourage natural behaviours that promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. These behaviours—sniffing, licking, and chewing—are instinctual and can help calm your dog down. Here’s how:
Sniffing: Dogs naturally process the world through their sense of smell. Sniffing is calming and can help them release pent-up tension. You can engage your dog in sniffing games like hiding treats around the house or taking them on a slow, scent-focused walk in the park. Letting your dog take time to sniff and explore their environment can help them feel more grounded and relaxed.
Licking: Licking releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that promote relaxation and well-being. Providing your dog with a lick mat or a safe chew toy filled with something tasty, like peanut butter, can give them a calm, soothing outlet.
Chewing: Chewing is another natural behaviour that can help reduce stress and anxiety in dogs. Giving your dog appropriate chew toys (or even something like an uncooked bone) can help them release excess energy in a way that feels productive and calming. Chewing is particularly beneficial because it can be a repetitive, soothing activity that gives your dog a mental break. Woody’s Natural Treats are my favourite source of chews and you can use PAWLITE10 to save 10% on all their products.
Conclusion
Managing trigger stacking and reducing stress in dogs is about more than just addressing the immediate issue; it's about considering the buildup of stress over time and helping your dog cope in a healthy way. Activities like sniffing, licking, and chewing are excellent tools for calming your dog and giving them an outlet to release tension. Additionally, ensuring your dog has time to decompress after stressful events, while being mindful of the residual effects of cortisol, will go a long way in preventing emotional overload. By taking these steps, you can help your dog feel more relaxed, resilient, and better able to handle life's challenges — one stressor at a time.
