Barrier / Boundary training
"Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in." - Fences Movie
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What
Boundary training involves teaching your dog the concept of barriers they should not cross or areas where they should not go.
Boundaries can be as simple as not entering a certain room in the home, like the kitchen or your bedroom, or as complex as not crossing a property line.
A secure gate, door or fence is the only way to be 100% sure your dog does not cross boundaries. However, training your dog to make good choices will free you from the constant need for supervision and management.
Why
- Physical barrier can deteriorate and your dog can find ways to go around or even under them. Boundary training instead helps them learn to make good choices and can help keep your dog safe when physical barriers fail.
- Training boundaries can prevent problem behaviors, such as counter-surfing in the kitchen, or sleeping on your bed.
- It can prevent your dog from crossing into dangerous areas and getting hurt.
- It helps prevent issues with neighbours.
How
Step 1 Build understanding.
- Before teaching barrier training, it is recommended first to teach your dog to Stop and ensure they have a well-conditioned Marker.
- Start by having your dog on a long line and harness to prevent them from making poor choices.
- Choose a visual barrier like a fence, string tied between two posts, coloured tape, a carpet or rubber mat, or a scent barrier by spraying things like vinegar or even deodorant in a line across the perceived boundary.
- Walk your dog regularly around the boundary without crossing it. If they sniff the boundary mark them for recognising it and staying on the right side.
- Give your dog plenty of slack on your long lead. When they approach the boundary, cue your Stop, or use a positive interrupter to prevent them from going any further. When they turn back, mark and reward them, ideally using the Go sniff technique on the right side of the barrier and continue walking calmly around the area. Repeat this a few times.
- Walk the dog calmly in the area on a lead. When they approach the boundary, wait for them to choose to turn away. The moment they do so, mark and reward them on the right side of the barrier and continue walking.
Step 2 Shape the behaviour.
- Before progressing to this stage, it's recommended to have a well-conditioned Leave It cue. It is also helpful to have a good understanding of Training techniques and Reinforcement.
- Repeat step 1, but this time have something mildly interesting on the other side of the barrier.
- If your dog chooses to walk away from the distraction, reward heavily
- Use your lead or verbal Leave It cue to stop the dog from crossing if needed, and if so, either reduce the criteria or repeat step 1 more times.
- Repeat this process several times until your dog reliably stops at the boundary line.
- Once you have a reliable behaviour, walk your dog towards the boundary, but this time you cross over yourself. If your dog tries to follow you, use a positive interruptor or a non-reward marker, then reset them at the boundary while you slowly cross over yourself. After a few steps, return to your dog and then reward them on the correct side of the barrier.
- Once your dog can reliably stop even when you are on the other side, slowly add more distance, duration or distractions. Be careful to add a little at a time to prevent frustration or rehearsal of unwanted behaviour.
- It's essential to prevent your dog from making a bad decision while you're teaching them the new behaviour. If your dog goes over the boundary at any time, do not punish them. Instead, please bring them back into the yard and reward their return.
- When your dog is unsupervised, ensure there is adequate management to prevent your dog from inadvertently getting reinforced by the environment outside the boundary.
Step 3 Proof the behaviour.
- It is also helpful to have a good understanding of Raising criteria.
- Start by using your dog's least favourite toy and playing with your dog on a long line, on the correct side of the boundary. Throw the toy over the boundary line and cue your dog to stop. If your dog is too excited, use gentle leash pressure to guide them, NOT to drag them back. When they stop at the barrier and look at their lost toy, cue 'Leave it', cue and then play with their favourite toy.
- Increase the difficulty SLOWLY by throwing higher-value toys past the barrier.
- Keep the desired side of the boundary exciting for your dog. You can use scents they enjoy, interactive toys, and play lots of fun games together within the boundary limits to build good memories on the safe side.
- If, at times, a distraction on the other side of the boundary proves too much for your dog, and they leave the area, it's helpful to have a solid recall so you can retrieve your dog.
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