Preventing Fence Fighting Dogs
How to Teach Polite Manners
Fence fighting is frustrating. The first step to preventing fence fights from occurring is by installing a visual barrier along the fence line to prevent further fighting. Visual barriers help keep your dog below threshold, meaning you can teach him polite behaviors, such as “come when called.” Once your visual barrier is up, it’s important to begin teaching your dog polite behaviors immediately.
Associate Sounds with Treats
If your neighbor dog wears an ID tag, just the sound can trigger a fence fight. With repeated practice, your dog learns to follow the sound along the fence, beginning a new type of fence fighting. To nip this in the bud, bring your dog out in the yard on leash with lots of yummy treats. When your dog hears the neighbor dog’s ID tags jingle, give your dog a treat. You’re pairing good things with the jingle sound. Practice for a few days.
Manage
For the first two weeks, after a visual barrier has been set up, it’s important to walk your dog outside on leash. I know, this is not what you wanted to hear, but it’s so important to prevent further fence fighting and it’s much easier to put the time in now instead of starting all over again.
Teach “Come When Called”
Several times a day, while bringing your dog potty on a six-foot leash, practice “come” behaviors. Practice for a week using super yummy treats. If your neighbor’s dog distracts your dog, walk further away from that side of the fence. Now, using a long leash (10-15 feet), practice recalls. Until your dog reliably comes when called, it’s important to practice on leash and use super yummy treats.
RELATED: “Come When Called” Part 1: Intro
Talk to Your Neighbor
If all else fails, talk to your neighbor. I’m sure he or she is aware of the fence fighting situation too. Coordinate backyard times to prevent further issues. If your dog needs to potty and the neighbor dog is outside, bring her on leash.
