Fence Fighting - Page 1

My 4 year old male has recently started fence fighting with the 2 dogs next door.  We have a 6 ft privacy fence so if he hears them or they bark at him - my male charges the fence barking like a maniac until I call him into the house at which time he obeys just fine. 

He's rarely out in the yard unsupervised (5 minutes max) which is when this usually occurs.  I'm going to have my landscaper install some hedges inside of my fence so he can't get to that area so readily.  I'm hoping that will alleviate some of the behavior but certainly realize I may need to do some re-training.  My neighbor is selling is his house and the last thing I want is a problem with new neighbors or worse yet - children provoking him on the other side of the fence.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

bark collar.. 

KIM

Depending on how serious both sets of dogs are, if they get into mouth holds between the fence, its a messy situation.  Very good chance of losing a Cutter or two.

I've known people who use an invisible fence set back from the common fence.    Works for some.....

A chain or cable, would be much better than a dogfight.  I have a very serious GSD. He can go through those cedar fence pickets, like they are popsicle sticks.  The dogs are probably all bark and bluff, but if not, its a major accident waiting to happen.

E-collar will work very well since you say he is not out really by himself for ling periods of time. The nice thing is you can be in the house and correct as soon as you hear him start.  Especially if he is the one starting the fighting, an e-collar will work quickly and if you are diligent and consistant he will knock it off.

Your new nieghbor's might not have any dog's...

I personally would meet the new nieghbor's when they come and hope they are dog lover's and or nice people, some nieghbor's aren't ya know.  I'd feel them out and maybe introduce them to your dog.   Depend's on the dog, and the new nieghbor's.   Flip a coin....:)  

Bark collar may stem the barking.   If your dog is being territorial give it a smaller more controlled territory like a kennel or an invisible fence, or a conventional hot wire away from the actual fence.

I personally hate dealing with nieghbor's.    It is a give and take kinda thing with no guarantee's.

Good luck.  

I have seen a dog rip his jaw off in a fence fight!  It was not pretty!!  7 hours of surgery just so he could at least drink again!  1 upper k9 tooth was shouved up into the sinus cavity and nearly into the eye socket!  We thought he had just lost the tooth but it was there on the x-ray, almost in the eye socket!

Get a bark collar!  Much cheaper than this type of medical bill!!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

Thank you for the suggestions.  I'll look into adding an invisible fence or investing in a bark collar for him.  He's very sensitive (soft per se) when it comes to corrections in obedience.  Very willing to please.  Based on that I may opt for invisible fencing - then I can also do the perimeter of my front yard.  I do like the idea of the bark collar though and being able to correct the behavior from inside the house should it happen during the small window of time that he's in the yard unattended.

I don't think I could ask for a better neighbor than the one I have now.  He's great and is a huge dog lover.  I hate that he's moving.  I told him that I want to approve whoever he sells his house to!!!