How To Fix Barrier Aggression In Dogs

Barrier aggression can be intimidating for some owners to tackle. In this video, I'm going to show you how to fix barrier aggression using a couple of simple techniques. While some situations require more in-depth work, most stress that is related to this behavior can be greatly reduced using these techniques.

A dog acting aggressively behind a fence, door, a baby gate, or even from inside of a crate when they do not act aggressively outside of those scenarios is considered barrier aggression. This behavior can be caused by a number of things such as stress under confinement, frustration, resource guarding, territorialism, and even simply anxiety or fear.

Luckily, barrier aggression is one of those unwanted behaviors that you can alleviate with slow, steady practice using positive reinforcement.

This video demonstrates a few simple exercises to help alleviate the stress of barrier aggression towards another animal with a crate, baby gate, and french doors. There are many other options for working with more severe cases and it's always a great idea to work with a behavior professional anytime you are attempting to modify unwanted behaviors.

00:00 - Barrier Aggression
00:54 - Why Does Barrier Aggression Occur?
01:44 - Contributing Factors
02:30 - How To Help Your Dog (Crate Aggression / Guarding)
07:15 - How To Help Your Dog (Gate / Fence Aggression)
08:57 - Impulse Control Is Important In Helping Barrier Aggression
09:57 - How To Help Your Dog (Door Aggression)
13:47 - What NOT To Do!

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[italkalot]

I’m surprised no million likes videos on this topic!! People literally needs to talk about this more, i read it in an article that barrier aggression is about dogs can not be able to properly communicate

[kaewatson]

Thank you so much for this! I'm a dog groomer and my dog comes to work with me. He's almost 5 and has come to work with me every day. I kennel him when people are coming in and recently he has started becoming reactive to dogs coming up to his kennel. Especially in a work setting, I really need to nip this in the bud. Thank you so much!

[richardschuerger]

Well done. I'm new to this channel so it was nice seeing a clear explanation with lots of good good info and hitting all the needed points.

You might like this story: In school I worked in a kennel with about 60 dogs. I was warned that "Animal" a huge bluetick hound was generally nice but would aggressively defend his food bowl. Sure enough, when I put the bowl down, he got aggressive. OK.

When I pulled bowls, I noticed that Animal was still very defensive but I also noticed he still had some food in his bowl. The biggest dog in the room (besides me) did not clear his bowl. Hmmm. I was pretty sure I had this figured out.

Next day, when I fed Animal, and I fed him first, he barked and growled and so I immediately pulled his bowl and set it front of his cage. I then fed the rest of the room, and when pulling bowls 20 mins later, gave him his food back. Not a peep. Not then, not ever again, at least with me.

He still played the game with everyone else. He probably figured I did not understand the game so didn't bother. :)

[robertkezer]

Good vid, I do it this way, I was hoping for something different. TY

[Escandella]

I just found your channel! Very good video!! Thank you!

[brianhall]

Just stumbled across this video and looking forward to working on this with our new puppy. He got barrier aggressive after our two adult dogs lunged at his crate a few times during the intro process - now he barks and reacts when they come near. We have been trying proximity training but not to this extent which I think is going to be much more helpful for us. One question though, what do we do when the other two dogs lunge at the crate (it's not always, I think more than anything they want to sniff and examine what is going on, but if the puppy comes to the barrier they will lunge at him). We tend to step in and back them off and have them go place but it's very catch 22 for the whole group. Thanks for the help!

[jamiemcconnellkps]

I'm looking for a video covering fence barrier aggression to review with my clients. (I love sending videos to offer a review of what we've worked on that session) I really enjoyed the way you presented this method for handling these issues within the home. Well spoken and easy to understand. Do you have one for fences? I'll be digging through your channel over the next few days. Happy training!

[christyhintz]

Do you have a video on reactivity? Love your content

[thezensationaldog]

Hi! Just came across your video which is exoskeleton so clearly. Do you have a video on Barrier aggression/resource guarding if the crate when the dog enters, then reacts? Thank you!

[phylliciawhittingham]

If the aggressor were to attach the crate/door do you still treat or ask the aggressor to “stop”? I understand you’ve been working with this dog a while, so I’m curious how you handled it before it was this calm.

[kaypop]

Hi Sara, Thank you for this video. I have a question. Do you have suggestions for correcting gate aggression through a window that can't open? I am experiencing gate aggression issues with my neighbors dog. He is a very sweet dog, and just like your dog, seems to have no issues with humans on another side of a barrier. But when he sees my cats in my window he is very aggressive and it seems to be getting more intense. I live in a basement apartment and the window is level to the driveway where he comes and goes. I'd like to be a part of the solution. Do you have any suggestions?

[aresident]

i like the video of 5 pits and a german shepherd and the 5 pits decide once the fence opens to change their mind lol

[aara_is_tires]

How would you suggest I do a similar exercise with a dog who is only barrier reactive in the crate towards cats? Would it be, instead of walking a dog past, carrying the cat past? Should I just sit by her crate and wait for a cat to walk past, and reward heavily when the cat does pass? We have two cats and the new pup is only barrier reactive towards them.

[deathlypoet]

Ok question: what if the dog immediately returns to barking at the human/dog? Do you continue to give them treats?? Should you stop??

[sabin]

i particularly like that neither of the dogs has their ears or tail mutilated. a lot of people with that kind of dog mutilates them.

[sunshinetx]

Hello. Would like some advice please. We have a 10 week old aussie that we have had for about 10 days. Due to parvo we cant take him outside until age 16 weeks at full vaccination (apartment life sucks). We play with him a lot and also some training commands. So he is stimulated daily. He will go in crate if we are in the same room, but loses his mind if we close the door. He acts like he is being murdered. It is so scary and he nearly hurts himself he's so frantic. If we put him in the master bathroom with bathroom door open, but baby gate up at bedtime, he loses his mind once again panicking and acting as if being murdered. He has major separation anxiety to boot. It will go on for 20-30 minutes or indefinitely until we retrieve him or cross over the barrier to be in same area as him. If trying to shower but leaving shower curtain 3/4 way open so he can see us and he can come next to tub and see us he again loses his mind and total freak out until we get out of shower, then he is completely fine. Please help...thank you

[TrashPrincesse]

Hi Sara, thank you for this video. I think I am experiencing this with my rescue dog right now. He was totally fine with his crate at first and then seemed to become really scared of it. At the recommendation of the trainer we then moved away from crating so I would leave him in my bedroom when I go to work. However now when I come back from work, he starts barking as soon as i touch the bedroom door. If I open the door, the aggression continues for a bit, with him barking and growling at me to keep me from entering the room. For now, I've just opened the door and moved away since I don't want him to feel like he has to escalate his behavior, but it can take him up to 30 minutes to come out of the room in this case. How can I help him to cope with me opening the door better? Should I treat him despite him growling, move away or stay there and wait until he stops? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[beckyr]

How do you do this when it's opposite. We put our puppy in cage and if she jumps up or anything he lunges at the cage.

[chloethompson]

My dog barks like mad in her crate whilst in the car ? Could this be barrier aggression ?

[emilyoliver]

Hi! So an issue I am having is the dog is human aggressive. The dog won't take treats as it is only frustrated through the fence. How would I help something like that?