What Thresholds Really Mean — And Why They Matter

If you’ve ever been told to “keep your dog under threshold” and nodded politely while inwardly screaming “what does that mean?” — you’re not alone.

Thresholds are one of those concepts that get tossed around a lot in dog training, especially in conversations about reactivity or fear. But unless someone takes the time to explain them, they can feel frustratingly abstract.

So let’s change that!

What Is a Threshold?

A threshold is the tipping point between your dog feeling okay and your dog feeling overwhelmed.

Below threshold = your dog can still think, learn, respond, and regulate. Above threshold = your dog is in survival mode: barky, bolty, frozen, or frantic.

It’s the difference between:

• Noticing another dog and glancing back at you (below threshold), Vs.

• Lunging, barking, and spinning on the lead (above threshold).

It’s not always about how close you are to a trigger — it’s about how your dog feels about it.

The Brain Behind the Behaviour

When your dog is under threshold, the thinking part of their brain (the prefrontal cortex) is online. They can process cues, offer behaviours, and respond to reinforcement.

But once they’re pushed over threshold, that part shuts down and the limbic system — the brain’s emotional control centre — takes over. That’s where you get fight, flight, freeze, or fidget responses. And no, your “leave it” cue doesn’t work here — because your dog literally can’t hear you anymore.

This isn’t disobedience. It’s biology.

The Tank Metaphor

Think of your dog’s tolerance like a tank filling up throughout the day. Every stressful event — the doorbell ringing, a squirrel on the fence, a fast-moving child — adds fuel to the tank.

Eventually, that tank will be so full that even the tiniest spark will create a huge explosion. Our job is to prevent this by managing how full the tank gets in the first place.

That might mean:

• Shorter walks with fewer triggers.

• Longer breaks between outings.

• More decompression time (hello, sniffaris!).

• Supporting recovery after a big emotional moment.

How Do I Know If My Dog Is Over Threshold?

Here are some signs your dog might be above threshold:

• They can’t take food (even if usually food-motivated).

• They can’t respond to cues they know.

• They’re pacing, whining, lunging, panting or shutting down.

• Their pupils are dilated, ears pinned, body tense.

• They’re hyper-focused on a trigger and can’t disengage.

If you’re seeing these signs, the best thing you can do is create distance and help them recover.

And if you're not sure where your dog's threshold is? That's okay. You're learning together.

Why It Matters

Training above threshold is like trying to teach algebra to someone mid-panic attack. It’s not that they’re unwilling — it’s that their brain isn’t in a place to learn.

So when we say “keep your dog under threshold,” what we really mean is:

Keep them in a state where they feel safe enough to learn.That’s where the real progress happens. Not in the chaos. In the calm.

You Are Your Dog’s Advocate

You get to set the pace. You get to say “That’s enough for today.” You get to prioritise regulation over repetition, connection over correction.

And when in doubt, zoom out! Give you and your dog the space, the time and the grace to recover and reconnect.

Because thresholds aren’t just about the dog. They’re about the human, too, and both of you deserve to feel safe, seen, and supported.