What is Trigger Stacking in Dogs?

Trigger stacking happens when multiple triggers occur very close together or even at the same time. When this occurs, the total reaction experienced by the dog may surpass what would normally result from any one of the triggers alone. Because the reaction involves increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system, the total effect of the stress upon the dog’s body may be significant.

For example, if your dog is afraid of other dogs and thunderstorms, and sees another dog while thunder rumbles, he or she may become frantic. Or if your dog is protective of your home, and he hears an unfamiliar sound near the door while someone outside is trying to get in, he may bark and lunge uncontrollably.

Trigger stacking can help explain why some behavior problems become more severe over time. For instance, a dog that barks persistently at passersby may get so used to the reaction he is having to people walking past that he starts to react even more intensely just in anticipation of the people coming by.

Some behaviors that seem out of proportion to their triggers may actually be the result of trigger stacking. A good way to tell if this is the case is to notice whether the reaction seems stronger than it should be and if several stressors may have added together to cause it.

If you think this may be the case, then it is wise to be watchful for situations in which several stressors may coincide to “stack up.” This way you can either manage the situation to eliminate or minimize the secondary stressors or distract your dog before the behavior spirals out of control.