Help your canine friends keep their cool with these 8 tricks
Does your mild-mannered pup go berserk when the canine neighbor appears on the opposite side of the fence? You are not alone. Many dogs resort to fence fighting due to their territorial instincts, fear, or even excitement. So, how do you keep dogs away from the fence in the first place? Here, you will find eight tips for keeping your canine calm. Your neighbors will thank you. Let's dig into the best fences for dogs, ways to modify the structures, and methods to keep pups from wanting to escape the yard in the first place.
Good news—you don’t need to front the cost to install a new fence. Simply modifying your existing fence to make it more private may resolve your pooch’s problem. It might be a case of adding more slats to a wooden fence or using tarps or other screening (like bamboo rolls) over chain link designs.
While you don’t always have to build a new fence, in some cases, it might be the best option to prevent dog fence fighting—especially if your current fence is low or too open. The cost to install dog fencing could be anywhere from $1,000 to $4,500. That price depends on the type of fence, fencing materials, height, and length. Handy homeowners can DIY this project, or hire a local dog fence company. You could also opt to install an invisible electric dog fence, which can consist of either above-ground wired or underground wireless fencing. For this, you’ll want to hire a professional invisible fence installer near you to ensure it’s functioning properly.
However, many experts think electric fences inhumane as they administer painful shocks to deter dogs, potentially causing physical and emotional harm. It is better to install a privacy fence out of solid materials that block peering eyes. This will help maintain a healthy and trusting relationship with your dog. The costs range from $1,800 to $8,000, depending on your yard's size and materials used.
If you want to create a more effective buffer between your dog and your neighbor’s fence, you could make the enclosure extra secure by building a fence within a fence. This option is pricier because you’ll have to pay to construct a new (but smaller) fence in your yard. An interior fence is a good option for large or strong dog breeds who tend to fight with neighboring dogs or exhibit more extreme behavioral issues. If you’ve got a small, well-behaved pup that simply likes to bark, this option isn’t likely for you.
If you don’t want to change your existing fence and don’t have the budget to build a new one, try creating a larger buffer between the fence and the dogs. One of the best ways to build a buffer is through landscaping. You can plant thick shrubs along your dog fence to act as a natural border. A simpler method is to run chicken wire a few feet away and along the base of the fence.
Depending on your garden size and budget, you might consider building a dog run. This dedicated outdoor space lets Fido run free within the confines of (a large) enclosure. To stave off fence fighting, you could set up your dog run on the other side of your property from your neighbor’s dog. The average cost of a dog run is about $800.
It’s never a good idea to leave your dog unsupervised in the yard for a long time, regardless of whether or not they have dog fence fights. But if they regularly go head-to-head with their four-legged nemesis, supervision is even more important. Keeping an eye on your dog can interrupt or redirect the fence fight before it escalates.
Putting the neighbor’s pooch out of reach (or sight) isn’t always enough to keep fence fights at bay. Sometimes, just hearing or smelling the next-door dog can trigger the behavior. But dog training, whether you DIY or hire a professional, can help. It’s not a quick-fix solution, but with a little time, it could bring harmony back to your yard. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) training tips include:
If you have a multi-dog household, only let one dog out at a time while you work on training. Two reactive dogs at a fence are more challenging, and they might ramp each other up.
Make sure you have a handle on basic commands like sit, stay, come, settle, and leave it.
Help your dog associate the neighbor’s dog with positive things. Every time they’re let out into their yard, toss your dog some of their favorite treats or play with a beloved toy. Over time, they’ll learn their doggy rival signals good things, and only when they don’t react to them.
Using a long line attached to a harness makes it easier to control the situation if things get heated, and you won’t have to try to grab your dog by the collar when they’re already in a frenzy.
Don’t offer treats as a distraction when your dog is aggressive—they could think you’re rewarding them for their behavior. On the flip side, rewarding calm behavior sets them up for success.
If you’re not having a good training session, don’t get frustrated. Simply bring your dog inside, take stock, and try again later.
Many dogs dig out of boredom. If your pooch is trying to tunnel under your fence, providing plenty of exercise and stimulating playtime should help.
When possible, connecting with your neighbors helps keep things cool. Things like on-leash parallel walking sessions in the neighborhood build calm, positive associations between the furry sparring partners. You can also coordinate your dogs’ yard time to avoid unexpected face-to-face fence time.
What if your dog is a jumper? Coyote rollers prevent coyotes, cats, dogs, and other animals from climbing or jumping over fences. They are metal or PVC pipes mounted along the top of a fence. When an excited dog tries to climb or leap over the fence, the rollers spin, making it difficult for them to gain a foothold to escape—and go after the dog on the other side.
You can purchase a kit for installation. Expect to pay around $40 and up to jump-proof four feet. The cost can add up quickly if you have a large yard—a kit that will cover 125 feet starts at $1,250.
Like coyote rollers, fence lean-ins are particularly helpful for dogs who are agile enough to climb or jump over an existing fence. Fence lean-ins are similar to an awning you add to the top of your fence to angle it inward. It is essentially a way to make your fence taller and harder to climb over. They’re relatively quick and easy to install—you can do it in a few hours using lightweight farm or deer fencing as a simple DIY project. Adding a fence lean-in to the top of your fence will cost between $2 and $3 per linear foot for the materials. A fencing pro could also help with this installation, so you should add hourly labor costs of about $50 to the price tag.
Gemma Johnstone contributed to this article.
Check for gaps or weak spots where your dog could escape and seal them. Remove toxic plants, chemicals, and potentially hazardous items. The list includes cocoa bean mulch, which is harmful to pups if ingested.
It's also essential to provide shade and fresh water. You may want to consider installing a dog-friendly surface on concrete areas like artificial turf. Additionally, regularly inspect for potential hazards, such as sharp objects or broken glass. Most importantly, supervise your dog during outdoor time to ensure their safety.
You can keep a dog from digging under a fence by filling existing holes in your yard, installing a wire to your fence bottom, burying your fence bottom, making a designated digging spot, and removing visual stimuli. You can also dissuade your dog from wanting to dig under your fence and escape by scheduling more one-on-one playtime and ensuring they are getting enough exercise to keep them stimulated.
To effectively keep animals out of your yard with a fence, choose a fence that anchors to the ground to deter digging. Also, consider adding a barrier below the fence to prevent burrowing.
To make your yard less desirable to animals, eliminate food sources like a vegetable garden, and ensure your garbage cans are sealed and tamper-proof. Installing motion-activated devices like lights or sprinklers will startle animal intruders. Also, a fence won’t work well if you forget to keep gates closed and secure. If you still face persistent animal intrusion issues, contact a wildlife control expert who can offer specialized solutions.
