Dog Community

Curiosity vs Fence Fighting

Posted : 7/27/2009 10:50:56 AM

Hello,

I have a Border Collie and ASD. They are outside dogs during the day, until we get home. They are usually well behaved. We have lived next to other dogs without a problem before.

But recently the Border Collie has become a little beaver. I had to reinforce my gate with metal (which stopped the behavior for a while.)
But a newer dog next door (Pit Bull) is fence aggressive. It will bark furiously at people and my dogs. My ASD ignores it completely. My BC gets worried and starts eating the fence. I've corrected him for this behavior and soaked the boards in anti-chew spray but it doesn't help.

The pit bull doesn't constantly bark at the fence, Just now and then. When it does, it triggers the fence chewing from my dog.

Recently I added another section of fence, tightly packed so it can't be seen through.

I'm not inclined to 'introduce' the dogs as his dog escaped once and nearly killed another dog that was being walked (Sadly, the owner of the victim dog was intimidated by the owner of the pitbull and won't file a police report / animal control report. )

Should I add a hot wire to the inside of my fence? I hate the thought of shocking my dog, but it's much better than having him get out of the yard, or mixed up with a dangerous dog.

glenmar

Posted : 7/27/2009 10:59:21 AM

Must the dogs be outside while you are away? That would be the easiest solution, to just leave them in the house, or crated in the house.

ybody

Posted : 7/27/2009 11:03:31 AM

They're inside right now until I figure out some way to solve the problem. I'd rather have a messed on carpet or eaten couch cushion than an injured dog.

They hate being cooped up in the house though. There's nothing they love more than herding each other around the yard.

Liesje

Posted : 7/27/2009 11:07:27 AM

Instead of having to keep repairing/reinforcing the fence, I would use the money to build a good dog run inside the yard. That way there is no wood to chew and there is no direct access to the fence. If your dog has anxiety triggered by the other dog, maybe she would feel more calm and safe in a nice run.

I wouldn't install a wire. In some places it's not even allowed. Also I would not want to punish your dog if the other dog is the aggressive barker.

ybody

Posted : 7/27/2009 11:09:12 AM

Suggestions on building material?

When we first got the dogs, I built a chain link dog run in the back yard. The border collie knows how to unwind chain link though. I came home one day, and he was sitting outside of it pleased as punch. Big section of chainlink completely unwound.

glenmar

Posted : 7/27/2009 11:20:16 AM

I'm on 3.5 acres now, plenty of room to run, which mine also love, but, they aren't outside if we aren't home. Ever. And I've got SIX german shepherds. I just don't feel safe leaving them outside, regardless of the fence.

As for inside damage, mine are all crated when we aren't home. They have nice big crates and I leave them water and usually a stuffed frozen kong to keep them occupied and entertained.

Liesje

Posted : 7/27/2009 11:28:18 AM

If she was doing it before then maybe it has more to do with her anxiety/temperament than the dog on the other side. I would work on that angle, work on a way to manage her anxiety and also manage the environment so she can't do more damage to the property and herself.

ybody

Posted : 7/27/2009 11:46:41 AM

The fence eating showed up with the new neighbor dog.

We used to have a neighbor with a different dog which wasn't a problem at all. (Also a pitbull.)

I am thinking more and more that I should just keep them inside to prevent problems.

espencer

Posted : 7/27/2009 12:34:17 PM

ybody
I am thinking more and more that I should just keep them inside to prevent problems.

Good idea

Liesje

Posted : 7/27/2009 12:52:31 PM

Never a bad idea (I keep mine inside as well), but I would also keep watch that other behaviors don't continue. I've met dogs who started chewing fences or kennels and ended up losing lots of teeth and tearing up their mouths trying to chew out of crates indoors, or just destroying things when not crated.

brookcove

Posted : 7/28/2009 9:13:20 AM

Be sure you give those dogs something to do when you get home. The Border Collie sounds like she's slipping into anxiety behaviors which can continue to grow. Just keep an eye on it and if you want, drop me a PM if you need more help (or post in the breed section).