The Fence Isn't the Problem. The Frustration Behind It Is.

Barrier frustration is what happens when a dog wants to get to something — another dog, a person, a bicycle, a squirrel on the other side of the fence — and can't. The barrier itself is not the issue. The issue is the gap between what the dog wants and what the barrier allows, and the explosion of arousal that fills that gap. It's critical to understand how barrier frustration differs from territorial aggression, because the two behaviors can look similar from across the yard and require completely different approaches. A dog displaying territorial aggression is defending space. A dog displaying barrier frustration usually wants to get to the thing, not drive it away. Fence running and window barking are particularly common in Scottsdale and Cave Creek neighborhoods, where homes are often on larger lots and dogs have significant time in fenced backyards. Barrier frustration also has a habit of bleeding into other areas of the dog's behavior. High-arousal responses at barriers are often accompanied by leash reactivity, difficulty settling at home, and an overall shorter fuse with anything frustrating.