Episode 5: All About Thresholds
Anxiety Threshold Zones
Understanding your dog’s anxiety thresholds is the single most important concept in separation anxiety training. Here’s a guide to the three zones and what they mean.
Think of your dog’s anxiety as a dial, not an on/off switch. At any moment, your dog sits somewhere on a spectrum from totally relaxed to full panic. The goal of training is to keep your dog in the green zone — below threshold — so they can learn that being alone is safe.
Sub-threshold — the training zone
Your dog is comfortable. They might notice you leaving, but they stay calm and relaxed. This is where all training should happen. When your dog is sub-threshold, they can learn that being alone is no big deal.
What you might see: Settling on their bed, sniffing around, lying down, playing with a toy, looking around calmly, sighing contentedly.
At threshold — the tipping point
Your dog is right at the edge. Early signs of worry are showing, but they haven’t tipped into full anxiety yet. This is where you need to pay close attention — if you see these signs, it’s time to shorten the absence.
What you might see: Pacing, following you to the door, mild whining, ears pinned back, lip licking, unable to settle, checking the door repeatedly.
Over threshold — panic mode
Your dog’s nervous system has taken over. They are in full panic and no learning can happen here. Repeated over-threshold experiences can actually make separation anxiety worse, which is why avoiding this zone is so critical.
What you might see: Intense barking or howling, scratching at doors or windows, heavy panting, drooling, destructive behavior, escape attempts, urinating or defecating.
Why this matters
The whole principle behind separation anxiety training is to keep your dog sub-threshold during every single absence. That means only leaving for durations your dog can handle without tipping into panic.
Over time, your dog’s threshold naturally moves. What once caused worry becomes no big deal. But this only works if you’re careful not to push too far, too fast.
The most important tool you have? A camera. Watch your dog while you’re away so you can see exactly where they are on this spectrum — and adjust your training accordingly.
Listen to the full episode for more on this topic:
Episode 5: All About Thresholds →
Written by Julie Naismith
Dog separation anxiety specialist. 15 years of experience, 100,000+ guardians helped, author of four books, and creator of the Be Right Back program.
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