When Dogs (and Humans) Can’t Cope: Reactivity and the Truth About Trigger Stacking
- Alex Giles
- Oct 22
- 5 min read
Note: This story is based on real experiences from several dogs I’ve worked with over the years. Loki, the German Shepherd in this tale, is my own Romanian rescue dog who I have used to bring those moments to life - though every bark, shake, and wobble comes from multiple real dogs (and very real emotions).
Let's get started...
We’ve all had those weeks, haven’t we?
You oversleep, spill your tea, get stuck behind a tractor, and then someone cheerfully says, “You look tired.” That’s the moment your brain quietly snaps.
That’s trigger stacking — when little stresses pile up until one final straw breaks your calm.
And it doesn’t just happen to humans — it happens to our dogs too.
Meet Loki, my loyal but sensitive German Shepherd rescue, who reminded me that stress works exactly the same in both species.
🐾 Loki’s Week of Wobbles: When Everything Builds Up
Trigger stacking is what happens when stressful events keep stacking without enough recovery time in between.
Each one might seem minor, but together they fill up your dog’s “stress bucket” until it overflows.
Here’s how Loki’s week unfolded…
Day 1: Fireworks in the neighbourhood
It all started with fireworks. Loud, unpredictable, and absolutely everywhere.
Loki bolted for his safe spot under the table at the first bang. Every crackle and pop sent him trembling, heart pounding.
He didn’t sleep much that night — and neither did I.
(It’s like lying awake after a stressful day, replaying every awkward conversation and unanswered email.)
Day 2: Every Dogs nemesis: The Postman
We have actually taped up our letter box because we (the humans) like our postman and would like him to keep his fingers...
Back to the story...
The next morning, just as he was finally relaxing, the doorbell went off. A delivery driver with parcels and enthusiasm turned up. Loki barked like it was a matter of national security.
He eventually calmed, but the adrenaline didn’t vanish. His stress bucket just… stayed half full.
(You know that feeling when you’ve had three coffees, one crisis meeting, and you’re pretending you’re fine? That.)
Day 3: A massive lorry in his vicinity
Later that week, a massive lorry roared past during his walk. The sound, vibration, and gust of wind were too much. Loki leant as far back as he could to get away, barked, and spun, eyes wide.
His cortisol levels spiked again - stacking neatly on top of the leftover firework fear and doorbell drama.
(Imagine trying to cross a road when a bus whooshes past inches from your elbow. Your body doesn’t care that you’re “fine” — it’s in survival mode.)
Day 4: The cyclist surprise
Loki doesn't understand cyclists at all, he believes it is an inhuman transportation device and doesn't understand how humans grow wheels and fly past him.
As if things couldn’t get worse, a cyclist zoomed by from behind, startling him.
Another mini panic. Another layer added to the pile.
(For humans, it’s like getting one of those “we need to talk” texts in the middle of an already bad day.)
Day 5: The bloody vacuum
Just when he’d started to relax, the vacuum cleaner appeared.
Loud, unpredictable, and apparently alive. Loki eyed it suspiciously from a safe distance whilst barking at it to stay away.
His body never got the chance to fully unwind between these moments. Each day, his stress levels crept higher.
Day 6: Another dog
And then came the walk that broke the camel’s back.
A friendly Labrador bounded over, tail wagging, owner calling from afar. Normally, Loki might’ve just grumbled and moved on. But this time? He exploded.
Barking, lunging, trembling — pure overload.
He wasn’t being aggressive. He was exhausted, frightened, and done.
The fireworks, the lorry, the cyclist, the vacuum, the doorbell — all those stresses had quietly stacked up until this innocent moment tipped him over the edge.
(It’s like snapping at someone over a dirty cup in the sink after a week of work stress and no sleep. The cup isn’t the problem. It’s everything before it.)
What is trigger stacking (and why is it so human?)
Trigger stacking means multiple small stressors happen close together, leaving no time for recovery. For some dogs this can happen over hours or days. Out of the above, individually, apart from the fireworks, they are fairly minor incidents, however its the STACKING, thats the issue here.
Each event releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol — the same chemicals that power human anxiety and burnout. These hormones can take days to settle. If new stressors appear before they’ve cleared, your dog’s body stays in a constant “fight or flight” state.
That’s why dogs (and people) sometimes “overreact” to tiny things.
They’re not dramatic. They’re just full.
How to Help Your Dog (and yourself) recover
Recognise the Signs Early
For dogs: panting, pacing, trembling, barking, refusing food, or hiding.
For humans: snapping, tension headaches, insomnia, or crying at an advert about cheese.
Stress is rarely sudden — it’s cumulative.
Give Time to Decompress
Loki needed calm days after his initial stressors - gentle sniff walks, chewing toys, naps, and predictable routines.
We need the same: rest, quiet, and no pressure to perform.
(No one resets in chaos — not even dogs.)
Avoid Adding More Stressors
If your dog’s had fireworks, lorries, and cyclists, during the week, skip the busy park that day.
If you’ve had a week like that, maybe don’t commit to dinner with your chatty neighbour.
Both of you need recovery time.
Create Safe Spaces
Dogs love a quiet den - somewhere dark and calm where they can self-soothe.
Humans? We call it “the sofa,” “the bath,” or “under the duvet with snacks.” Same purpose, really.
Seek Support When Needed
For dogs: contact a qualified behaviourist or vet who understands reactivity and anxiety.
For humans: speak to a therapist, a friend, or someone who gets it. It’s not weakness - it’s self-preservation.
What Loki taught me about stress
Watching Loki unravel reminded me how invisible stress can be.
His “bad reaction” wasn’t bad behaviour — it was communication. A desperate “I can’t handle any more.”
The truth is, we’re all a bit like Loki sometimes.
We keep stacking stress — work, noise, people, pressure — until something tiny finally tips us over.
And just like Loki, we don’t need punishment or guilt when we break.
We need understanding, rest, and a little bit of space to breathe.
Final Thoughts (thank you for reading so far!) 💙🐾
So, the next time your dog barks at a cyclist, trembles at fireworks, or snaps at another dog, remember — it’s not defiance. It’s trigger stacking.
And honestly? We’ve all been there.
Because whether you’ve got paws or problems, a wagging tail or a weary heart — everyone has a limit. 💙🐾