Has your dog ever experienced barrier frustration? The frustration can escalate to aggression, and something like fence running can turn into fence fighting. The leash being on a dog can result in restraint frustration as the lead creates a barrier. Or perhaps your dog barks at other dogs when in the car? When our dogs are frustrated, they are expressing an emotion and we cannot ignore their excitement or anxiety. We can help our dog by creating a different emotional response.
In the episode you'll hear:
- About noticing the early signs of anxiety or frustration.
- How fence running can quickly escalate to fighting.
- Why arousal can turn to redlining and why we should care.
- What we don’t want our dogs to rehearse.
- How fence fighting can have consequences away from the barrier.
- Being aware of everyone’s safety around dogs who have pent up emotion.
- Why a redlining dog could redirect onto another dog, child, or adult.
- The easiest way to stop barrier aggression.
- Why to focus on the trigger to help dogs with their emotional response.
- How to change your dog’s emotional state around triggers.
- Strategies to help fence fighting dogs.
- Why management is a big part of dog training to prevent rehearsals.
- How using a head halter will help you keep your dog under threshold.
- The reason to use distance to help your dog with triggers.
- Games you can play that will help overcome barrier frustration.
- Why the words “Winners Circle!” come with treats for your dog.
- How to achieve the goal of your dog seeing a trigger and orientating to you.
Resources:
- Crate Games Online
- Podcast Episode 86: How to Train Unmotivated or Overexcited Dogs
- Podcast Episode 29: Understanding and Preventing Reactivity and Aggression in Your Dog
- Podcast Episode 40: Using a Head Halter on a Dog, Why My Approach is so Different
- Podcast Episode 59: Why Your Treats Aren’t Working for Your Dog
- Podcast Episode 6: The Art of Manipulation
- Video Blog: Understanding Your Dog’s Triggers
- Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube
I have a fully fenced in yard and they have access to the whole yard. So, my two youngest, Anna and Zoe will chase from the inside of the yard if kids come by teasing them in a recreational vehicle, every Monday morning when garbage trucks are picking up trash and Thursday when they pick up the church dumpster trash, near my house, if they see people walking by because I live by a church and between us is an alley, people pass by in front and from the sides, when the church people are out, oh and can’t forget the UPS trucks passing by. They will run around the whole yard. Should I cover with a barrier where they can only see through a portion of the front gate and back gate? There’s no neighbor dogs next to me, there’s one across the street but doesn’t leave it’s yard. Once in awhile, strays will come by or dogs that escaped their yards. My girls get barking crazy when people show up to the front yard or drive through the alley. It’s hard to calm them down when they see the trigger first. For the garbage trucks, I’ll call them back inside. Also, they bark at birds and stray cats outside the yard. Grace the husky mix only barks when people pass by, Matilda too. Or if she hears something.
That’ great
I have a concern with taking your dog over to fenced dogs to practice being calm. The house beside me was recently demolished and now my dog can see everyone walking their dogs on the street. She’s starting to get used to them walking by, but sometimes a person will stop by the fence and start treating their dog. My dog gets really ramped up – her body gets rigid. I myself would feel threatened if someone stopped and kept looking at me in my yard. It might help them but it is creating big problems for me.
These podcasts are just what I needed right now Susan, thank you so much! This backyard information is really helpful but what about a dog experiencing barrier aggression from the car while I am driving? Any good games for that? Thanks so much!
This podcast was meant for me and I have immediately started Susan’s recommendations. Today I posted a video on Facebook of our dogs watching a neighbors party with quiet interest! Susan’s information WORKS.