#119 - Try it: Teach "Go To A Safe Space" From Behind a Barrier

In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Emily Strong shares two ways to teach your dog to go to a safe space from behind a barrier—a skill that supports emotional regulation and improves outcomes for both aggressive and behaviorally healthy animals.

You'll learn when and why Pet Harmony uses this technique (spoiler alert: a lot!), how it supports protected contact and training distance, and what you need to get started. This episode is all about creating safe, achievable wins, no matter where you’re starting from! 

TLDL (Too Long, Didn’t Listen): 

1️⃣ Protected Contact Isn’t Just for Aggression – Teaching behind a barrier can help you stay safe and build trust and success, even with behaviorally healthy pets.

2️⃣ There’s More Than One Way to Train a Skill – Emily shares two foundational strategies, but remember: this is just the beginning. You’ve got options!

3️⃣ Focus on Foundations First – Big progress starts with small steps. Build your “go to a spot” behavior thoughtfully to ensure long-term success.

Links & Resources from the Episode

🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial | OpenDyslexic

🎧 Episode #117 – Training an Aggressive Dog Safely: The Ins and Outs of Protected Contact

📖 Canine Enrichment for the Real World

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If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛

Ellen's 4-week live course, At Ease: Safe Spaces For Home and On-The-Go, is enrolling! 

Head to petharmonytraining.com/safespace to learn more and grab your spot.