Understanding Dog Behavior: How We Prioritize Safety, Enrichment, and Wellness at BARC
At BARC Boarding and Rescue Center, we know that every dog is wonderfully unique, and so are their social and emotional needs. Whether your pup is the life of the party or prefers one-on-one time, our job is to meet them where they’re at and create an environment where they feel safe, seen, and supported. Boarding can be a stressful experience for some dogs, and with our extensive experience working with animals, we confidently approach our animal care with the understanding that all dogs (and cats!) are unique and require differing needs.
We’ve been proudly serving the Price, Utah community for a couple of years, and over time, we’ve learned that excellent dog care goes far beyond food and playtime. It’s about proactive behavioral understanding, stress reduction, and a commitment to learning and evolving—because pets, just like people, can have off days, surprises, and sensitivities.
Something we’ve recently placed a high focus on is the idea that dog behavior can change and can seem unpredictable. We are always looking for ways to receive continued learning when it comes to animal behavior, and this is now a HUGE emphasis at BARC. So let’s talk about it.
How We Read Between the Tail Wags: Dog Behavior Awareness in Action
One of the most powerful tools in dog care is learning how to “read” what dogs are telling us long before they bark or growl. Some early signs of stress or discomfort include:
Lip licking (when not eating)
Yawning frequently
Avoiding eye contact
Tense posture or a tucked tail
Freezing in place
Ears pinned back
Panting when not hot or tired
At BARC, our team is trained to watch for these cues and adjust play environments or activities accordingly. Dogs communicate constantly, always providing signals in what we like to call “dog language,” and we consider it a privilege to listen and respond with care. Learning dog language can be tough at first, but with lots of real-world practice, it can become a wonderfully helpful tool to use in boarding or kennel settings, at home, or in public where other dogs are present.
Deciphering Dog Behavior: It’s Not Always a Walk in the Park
My family is BIG on animals. In total, my parents, my siblings, and I, we have a family of 10 cats and seven dogs. It’s a pet parent thing. I wouldn’t trade the animal life for anything! But it does come with its own challenges, dog behavior being a big one.
I have two personal dogs: an Australian shepherd/border collie mix named Nacho, and a purebread toy Aussie girl I lovingly call my Chica. Nacho loves being a big brother, and Chica would do anything for her big brother. They generally don’t have any behavioral problems between the two of them as they are both fairly friendly dogs who are very social. However, that doesn’t mean trouble can’t find them.
Recently, I’ve had to break up a fight between the two. Luckily, they are both still young and not very big or strong, so I was able to break up the fight quickly, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t alarming. We were at home, they were just hanging out together, and out of nowhere, one dog attacked the other with no warning, no growls, no lip-licking or any other telltale signs. Why did this happen? Is there something I’m not noticing? Did I do something wrong? Dog fights are shocking and can often cause feelings of stress or even shame within us, but here’s the thing: dogs aren’t like us. While we do our best to understand them, at times, it can seem impossible.
There are common causes of aggressive outbursts in dogs like food aggression, barrier aggression, or even simple frustration. Understanding these patterns in dog behavior can help identify what the triggers are. What I’ve come to realize is that my boy Nacho can easily become overwhelmed and frustrated by his highly energetic little sister, and I believe he snapped at her to correct her, overcorrected, and caused her to become defensive and fight back. When I notice his signals of frustration (low growls, and teeth baring), I let my dogs out for some play time. Interactive play has been key in keeping the dynamic between my dogs balanced and healthy, but it came with lots of trial and error to get it down to a science.
While most dog aggression has an underlying cause that can be identified with close observation, there is a distinct type of aggression called idiopathic aggression, where there is no identifiable cause, trigger, or underlying condition leading to aggressive behaviors. Also known as “rage syndrome,” this type of aggression comes without clear signals or environmental factors and is usually a sudden-onset type of aggression. Many experts theorize that genetic predisposition could be a key factor in idiopathic aggression in dogs. Nevertheless, understanding your dog is the first step in advocating for your dog and keeping them safe!
Customized Play, Fear-Free Spaces, and Enrichment-Focused Care
No two dogs are alike, and we believe their care shouldn’t be either. That’s why we offer flexible options to support dogs of all temperaments and special situations:
🐾 One-on-One Playtime: Ideal for pups who prefer human connection or get overwhelmed in groups
🐾 Enrichment Add-Ons: Brain games, puzzle feeders, sniff-based activities, or stimulating chew toys keep dogs mentally stimulated and relaxed
🐾 Extra Potty Breaks: Great for dogs who are more comfortable with routine and structure, or who need designated outside time to reduce stress
🐾 Escape-Proof Kennels: Spacious, secure, and designed to ease anxiety, our kennels are high-quality and always cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized
🐾 Visual Barriers: These reduce overstimulation and promote a calmer environment for everyone
We also follow many fear-free principles, such as reducing loud noises, using positive reinforcement, and allowing rest periods throughout the day. These small choices can have a big impact on your dog’s behavior and emotional well-being.
If you have any special requests for your dog, need your dog to be kept separate from other dogs, or have any other questions about the care your dog receives at BARC, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Boarding can be a big adjustment, and oftentimes, it’s harder on the humans than the pups! We get it.
Our Ongoing Commitment to Safety and Growth
Pet care is a journey, not a checklist. That’s why we continue to invest in professional training, behavior courses, and updated best practices. Whether it’s recognizing subtle stress signs or preventing unwanted interactions, we’re always working to keep dogs safe, happy, and balanced while they’re in our care and taking any opportunity we can to learn. Because let’s face it, dogs aren’t just pets. Dogs are family.
As members of this amazing Price community, we know how much your pets mean to you—because they mean everything to us, too. Thank you for trusting BARC Boarding Center with your beloved dogs. We’re here for the tail wags, the belly rubs, and everything in between.
Want to learn more about our enrichment options, booking a stay, or our rescue center? Visit barcutah.org or give us a call! We’d love to help your dog feel as comfortable as possible at BARC—where every stay saves a stray.
