How to Stop a Dog From Fence Fighting

Fence fighting is so frustrating for both you and your dog. Yes, your dog too. You probably didn’t see that coming huh? Most pet owners assume dogs love fence fighting. While there may be a select few who do enjoy this type of exercise, for the most part, it’s extremely stressful for your dog.

If this happens in your backyard, I have a few tips that can curb this behavior so you and your dog can enjoy your backyard again.

Why Dogs Fence Fight

When dogs actually engage and fight with another dog through a fence, it’s called fence fighting. Both dogs go back and forth along the fence line and squabble. Usually, dogs are able to see their opponent, which starts a fence fighting session. And if you’ve ever tried to break this up, you know it’s pretty impossible–your dog runs past or around you and it can go on for a long time (sigh).

The cause of fence fighting usually begins with fear and frustration. Your dog learns to really dislike the neighbor dog. Trust me, the more your dog practices fence fighting, the worse it’ll get so it’s important to stop the behavior. Dogs can and will injure themselves too. Most dogs can reach each other and cause harm so it’s important to address it now.

Now, some dogs will run along a fence line when they’re overstimulated by people walking nearby, birds, walking dogs or any other type of distraction. Fence running is different than fence fighting, as they’re dealing with their frustration by running along a fence line.

RELATED: Preventing Dogs From Fence Fighting

Should My Dog Meet the Neighbor Dog?

Nope, they may fight or become friends outside of the fence. When a fence is in between them again and they’ve practiced this behavior for a while, it’ll start right back up.

Visual Barrier

A solid privacy fence is worth its weight in gold! If your dog can’t see a neighbor dog, then fence fighting is less likely to happen. If your privacy fence has holes, I recommend fixing them to prevent further fights. For chain link fences that your dog has learned to peek through the slits of, you’ll need to put up a visual barrier.

About 80 percent to 90 percent of the time, a visual barrier will halt fence fighting in its tracts. In the past, I’ve used and recommended rolled felt or carpet as a visual barrier. You just roll it along the bottom of the fence fight line and zip strip it in place. For larger dogs, I recommend four-foot high felt or outdoor carpet and roll it on the inside of the fence (your side), making sure the carpet touches the ground and not grass to prevent any peepholes. Every two feet, I zip strip it tightly into place.

Now, it’s not the prettiest thing ever, but it wears well and doesn’t smell with repeated exposure to sun and rain. After practicing good fence behaviors, I can remove it after six months or so.

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