Let’s find out what that means, and how to help him! We’ll look at how to bring an over excited dog back into a state where he is capable of learning how to behave.
‘Crossing the threshold’ may conjure up images of a handsome groom lifting his beautiful bride through the front door of their home.
But traversing a threshold can refer to all kinds of intangible experiences.
And nowadays ‘threshold’ is more likely to be a term you hear at your dog training class, than at a wedding.
Behavior thresholds in dog training
In dog training being over or under threshold has a very specific meaning.
And it is a term we are hearing more and more often, as our understanding of dog training is swept along by the forces of progress, and as the language of behavior filters down from behaviorists, to trainers, and on to dog owners themselves.
I know some of you are confused by exactly what we mean by threshold, so I want to take a closer look at the use of this term in dog training.
I’ll try to clarify exactly what we mean by it, and to look at how an understanding of how behavior thresholds can help us train our dogs without force.
What are we using the term threshold for?
Strictly speaking, behavior thresholds are the point at which a behavior begins to break down in the presence of a distraction.
So for example your dog might be able to sit on cue in the presence of another dog, but will be unable to maintain the sit for any length of time. He might be able to come when called if no other dogs are around, but will fail if there are other dogs nearby.
This is normal
Training raises behavior thresholds to enable the dog to perform in the presence of distractions.
My book Total Recall explains how to carry out this training using recall as an example.
Nowadays, you will also often hear the term threshold used to describe situations where dogs are fearful or reactive.
Essentially a dog which is described as over threshold, is so fearful or anxious about a particular situation – the presence of another dog for example – that he has crossed the point at which he is capable of responding to anything else.
He is in fact unable to do anything except focus on the source of his anxiety. Grisha Stewart’s excellent book Behavior Adjustment Training is packed with information and practical advice for helping dogs with this problem
Over excited dogs
However, a dog that is ‘over threshold’ need not be fearful. The term can refer to over-excitement too.
In training, the word threshold can also be used to describe the point at which a dog is so interested in and excited by a particular situation – the presence of a rabbit in a cage for example – that he too is
unable to focus on or respond to, anything other than the source of his excitement.
Dogs in this state cannot absorb information and are incapable of learning.
They may be moving uncontrollably (lunging about at the end of a lead) or literally frozen into immobility, eyes fixed, muscles quivering
You can wave your hand in front of this dog’s eyes and he won’t see it.
You can stick food under his nose and he probably won’t even sniff it. If he grabs the food by reflex it will probably just drop out of his mouth as he is incapable of swallowing.
I see people trying to train dogs in this state, and it is completely pointless.
Over or under threshold
So, let’s see what we have so far. A dog which is ‘over threshold’ is a dog that is in the presence of a distraction of some kind.
A
nd that is so emotionally aroused by that distraction, he is unable to concentrate on, or respond to, anything else.
His trained behavior then breaks down
If a dog is ‘under threshold’ in the presence of a distraction, he is able to observe and acknowledge the distraction, whilst responding to other events going on around him.
The key point here is really important to understand. Because this is not a question of choice or decision making on the part of the dog.
The dog that is over threshold is incapable of responding in that moment, due to factors outside his control.
W
e can only train a dog that is under threshold. And to complicate matters further, thresholds will vary from skill to skill.
Traditional approaches to threshold
Traditional dog training does not recognise or acknowledge the question of threshold.
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It views failure to respond to a cue as disobedience and dogs were often (and sometimes still are) routinely punished whilst over threshold.
Apart from the lack of logic and effectiveness of this approach, the main problem with it is that like most mammals, a dog which is highly aroused, either through fear or excitement, will not be aware of punishment or pain until it is severe.
And sometimes not even then.
In fact in order to refocus the attention of a dog which is over threshold using punishment, the punishment itself would normally need to be very severe.
And quite aside from the ethics of using severe punishment, such punishment creates its own problems
So how do we train a dog that is over threshold?
A dog that is over threshold is incapable of taking in new information.
Our aim is to bring the dog back under threshold and only then to attempt training. Fortunately, threshold is influenced by a number of factors.
A significant factor is the power of the distraction. Another factor is the trained behavior that the handler is asking for.
Training Tip 1: Reduce the power of the distraction
The power of the distraction can be reduced in a number of ways. Proximity is often the best way to dilute a distraction – just moving the dog further from it.
It is surprising how resistant people can be to this suggestion.
Try to avoid letting yourself make negative internal conclusions like “he should be able to do this” or “he is just trying it on” this kind of talk isn’t helpful and it is not based in reality.
Moving the dog further from the distraction is a positive step and helps build foundations for better behaviour
If your dog cannot sit on cue next to another dog, he may well be able to do so, if you walk him ten feet away. It is amazing just how effective this can be
Tomorrow, he may cope at five feet. But if you persist today with a situation that takes the dog way over threshold, he will be just as incapable of responding to you tomorrow.
Training Tip 2: Ask for simpler behaviors
If your dog is becoming excited or fearful, you may be able to get him to refocus on you by asking him to comply with very simple cues.
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He may be unable to lie down and stay, or fetch a dummy, but a simple sit, or a few steps at heel might be within his capabilities.
If in doubt, always ask the dog for an ‘easy’ behavior first. Get his attention back on you, and if necessary withdraw from the distraction before trying something more complex
Things will improve
The level of your dog’s arousal to a particular distraction, whether his response is one of wanting to escape the distraction (fear) or one of wanting to engage with the distraction (excitement) will decrease with repeated exposure to that distraction PROVIDED that the repeated exposures do not take the dog over threshold.
So our objective is to expose the dog (whilst keeping him under threshold) repeatedly enough that his arousal levels fall sufficiently for us to increase the power of the distraction (usually by bringing it closer)
This can sometimes be awkward to set up in practical terms, but it is worth the effort.
Keeping your dog calm
Think too, about how you play with your dog. It is common for people to play with puppies and young dogs until they are over threshold and then worry when the dog seems to have a complete change in personality, zooming manically around knocking things over, or jumping up and biting at peoples arms and clothes.
Careful training and management reduces a dog’s arousal levels, and teaches dogs to cope with increasingly exciting or demanding environments in a positive and effective way
Help and information
Hopefully, if your trainer now tells you that your dog is over threshold, you’ll know what she is on about, and be able to help your dog to adjust.
Don’t forget, if you are struggling with a dog that is over-threshold in many situations, there is help and support available in my free forum.
Join us there!
Colleen says
Hi, we have a 13 month old border collie we have had since he was 5 months old. He is calm and easily trainable when the environment is controlled or even when other dogs are near by. We are introducing him to the Agility environment and he finds it impossible to watch other dogs run agility. We have had to leave the class since he becomes completely uncontrollable. It is so out of character that it shocks us.
Lynn says
Hi, my 3 yo lab has gone through many classes, attended doggy day care and lives with an older dog. He only major issue is walking on leash in the borough and meets another leash walking dog. She crosses the threshold quickly and sounds “viscous” trying to get to the other dog to play. We’ve done distraction, say leave it and keep walking, nothing helps. I now change path as soon as I see a dog/owner. She just wants to play but sounds horrible.
tricia says
Hello Pippa, I’m finding your puppy and recall books absolutely brilliant and they’ve been a great help. Puppy (border collie) is now 18 weeks old and enjoying learning. We are trying very hard to clicker train positvelyHowever we do struggle with the ‘mad moments’. One in the morning and usually one in the evening. The kitchen is pretty ‘puppy proof’ and we’re easy about the things that are in there but …. she tears the cushions off the chairs, and anything she can grab or chew. She has her own toy box but in these moments nothing in there is of interest. We have tried distraction activities (sit etc training games), taking her out for a play, or giving her a Kong/chew. We think SHE may have US thoroughly trained, as our response is one of these nice things. I’m tempted at times to pop her in her crate with a Kong/chew, but don’t want her to end up spending a lot of time shut in there, especially as in the evening it’ll only be a couple of hours or so before she is shut in for the night. We’re both retired so around a lot, and do do a fair amount with her.
Richard says
My dog has an extreme reaction to seeing either me my spouse or the kids in the water playing. He is a big dog and has injured people by swimming to them and scratching them. He loves water himself and will fetch frisbee from a far distance. How can I curb his freakouts?
Pam says
Hi Pippa, I have a 6 month old Labrakita, she is over threshold severely on walks when meeting anyone or other dogs, we have tried treats, but this has not worked. Please can you give me some advice…..thank you
Lori Heyne says
We have the same problem with our dachshund mix rescue. She is over 2 yrs and is a great dog unless we come across deer, squirrels and other dogs on our walk. She then goes crazy and barks and lunges and will not calm. Patiently doing the treat reward when she is calm which is working ok with squirrels and deer, but other dogs…well that’s still an issue.
C Paul says
Hi,
I have a 10 months old Black Lab. Though he is learning to walk beside me on a leash, he has this nagging habit of nipping grass or picking dry leaves from the ground. Would love to have him walk with his head up, which he does most of the time during our morning walks-(3-4 kms).Please help how to stop him from picking from the ground during our walks…
Thanks
bez says
my dog goes over the threshold when my son in law comes to take him out or to visit.
he is exceptionally friendly with men??? slightly over when men visit.
I am female – dog and I live alone he is exgtremely obedient…we have fantastic walks – 6 mile plus per day. Son in law plays with dog – which dog LOVES. I, not so much and not so rough. help please
Sally says
I have 2 golden retrievers (3 yrs and 18 months). My 18 month old has become over threshold with excitement every time we go for a walk from our new house – we now live in a forest area with deer, boar, squirrels etc. I have not let him off lead as I know I would lose him (he’s finding it difficult to even respond on lead) . How do I deal with keeping him under threshold when it is surrounding him ?
Pippa says
Hi Sally, do join the forum so that we can help you with your dog 🙂
Lois M Shelton says
Hi Pippa, I just adopted a 10 year old female Pitt/Terrier mix. She is so quiet in the house but when I put her on a leash and take her out of the yard she just will not respond. She is so strong. pulls away. I also have two resident cats that she has not yet met face to face, but did see the first day I brought her home. She went wild and now hangs outside the door of the room where they are now living. It is very hard on them, they haven’t been out of the room for 19 days. I am actually afraid to have them meet but feel very guilty keeping them in a room when they used to have the run of the house. Do you think you can give me some ideas? Thanks, Lois
Warren says
I just adopted a 75lb ten month old lab/retriever. He is so highly wound that he won’t even do the basic command sit which his owner said he could. He jumps up on everyone and everything. He has not been castrated yet but getting this done tomorrow. I’m hoping this will calm him down as I think it’s sexual driven as he gives love nips or bites with trying to grab you. He is in. A constant pant even though he hasn’t done anything to get hot and water is always available for him it’s cool fall weather also. Any thoughts on how to calm him down enough to begin training as the wife is at wits end and myself. Has to be a way to calm him to communicate. Thanks
Helen says
This sounds just like my 6 month old lab…did you overcome this problem and if so how please?
Sam says
I rescued a year old German shepherd. She is a really sweet dog. The problem is she is afraid of my two cats. She is also terrified of cars, trucks, and hammering sounds. How can I help her. She afraid to go for walks, but she needs to exercise.
Suzanne says
Hi Pippa, I would really appreciate your help. I have adopted a 5-year-old spinone (possibly spaniel)cross female. She is funny, loving, relaxed at home and obedient in the garden and around town (including off-lead). On walks she turns in to her evil twin and whilst she will respond in the open, in the woods she whimpers, cries and howls, especially when it’s wet. She will look at me, come to me on lead, sit and lie down (all whilst continuing to howl) but is still over the threshold. We have had her 3 months now and she doesn’t really seem to be improving. Do you have any tips as we are surrounded by national park woodland – it is the only place we can let her off lead. We really want to let her run but so far are unable to let her off-lead.
Carolyn says
Rescued choc lab (turned in at 18 months) over excitement my guess. Uncontrollable while riding in car. Tried crates, harness (broke seat belt), no crate, treats, Benadryl. Barks incessantly, whines and when at destinations is shaking and whites of eyes bright red. Tried sitting in car treating while car now moving. But appears motion and other cars whizzing by is part of the problem. Also tried eye blinders looks like horse mask for flies that is supposed to block out some vision. At wits end. Need to travel distance for areas to let her swim but is becoming not worth it. To be loose in woods she uses e-collar as she also hates dirt bikes and will throw herself at them. Do not want to use e-collar in car. Help.
Pippa says
Hi Carolyn, you have got your hands full there with a well established problem. You probably will need a behaviorist to assess your dog, watch what you are currently doing, discuss the problem, and give you a treatment plan. In the meantime, do join the forum so that we can help and support you.
Philippa Cook says
My border terrier is 18 months old and used to rush up to dogs and bark excitably. Doing twice weekly dog training that is calming him a lot including ‘ settle’ when he gets over excited. The trainer has suggested a ball for distraction. He is still a very hyper dog and needs distraction and calming on walks. This week he has gone for 2 young rather nervy cockerpoo type dogs whereas he has walked lots of other dogs. I am at a slight loss and rather alarmed at this behaviour. He never does this to dogs he knows. He plays with dogs but needs to come away if he gets over excited and barks.
Gillian says
My lab can get over sexually aroused if he’s out with me on a walk and smells a bitches urine. He tries to hump me. He is so strong I have to get him to somewhere safe and tie him up. He won’t stop. I have to ring my husband to come and walk him home sometimes.
Janet says
I tried to join your forum but the Captcha Box is blank. So, no success!
Lucy says
Hi Janet, Do you mean The Labrador Forum? Please let me know and we will be happy to look into this for you! Best wishes, Lucy