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Dogs annoying neighbor dogs through the fence

10K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  DJEtzel 
#1 ·
I have 3 dogs (30,50&60lb). The neighbor has 2 (can't be more than 20lb each). They share a 6' plastic fence.. it is a nice fence... but when a 60lb dog throws her weight at it, it does tend to bend/give way.

It is getting old because neither of us want to let our dogs out at the same time. If I am out there with my dogs, I can control this. They run for the fence when they hear one of hers barking and dive for the bottom as if to dig to the other side. But I can imagine being that woman thinking "OMG her dog is huge and vicious!". Because she has little dogs. It would be the same if a Rottweiler moved in next door and was almost breaking into my yard all the time. I would not really be happy.

I have talked to this neighbor and she is like me... embarrassed. Because her dogs bark so much... and me, because my dogs act like lunatics when they hear that barking. She is a dog person and understands and is not mad (Thank God).

I just want to know what I should do. What I want to do for the future is have a designated dog area fenced off but that is nothing something we can afford until ATLEAST after our wedding (In April).

I try to tell the neighbor to go out with her dog so she can correct them. As I try to do mine. But of course sometimes we both just happen to let them out to pee and then I hear her dogs barking and mine flipping out. And we both run out there and have to make sure my dog has not got through the fence.

2 of my 3 dogs are very dog friendly. But 1 is not. I really do not believe she is trying to harm this dog, rather trying to protect the yard. However if SHE were to get over there one day, I trust her the least. She is the type of that dog takes about 1 hour of being with a new dog because she OKAYs them and in this scenario I would think she would be in protective mode and could harm that dog if she wanted to.

What do you suggest?
 
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#2 ·
For now, I would just make sure that all outside time my dogs had was supervised. That way I would know I was doing what I needed to do as a responsible dog owner. We cannot control what other's do, but we can - and should - make sure that we eliminate our part of the problem.
I would also suggest socializing the two groups of dogs to help improve their own relations.
 
#4 ·
That's actually what I want to do... eventually. Have another fenced in "dog area" - not small like a pin nor anything just a fence inside a fence... at least on that side. It;s just a money issue at the moment.

Oh and I don't think either of us (me and or the neighbor) bought that fence. I think the first owners did. I doubt either one of us knows who OWNS it, lol.
 
#5 ·
I agree, it'd probably be best to keep an eye on your dogs when they go outside to use the restroom or play. If they have a doggy door, I'd probably close it up so you know when they are out. Also, socializing I think would be the best thing you could do. It would probably save you a lot of money too, if you got them to the point where they tolerate each other or are even friends, it'd make life on both you and your neighbor much easier. I actually just got this advice in one of my threads on how to get dogs to get along with each other: try taking them for pack walks? That way you are walking, not playing, and they shouldn't be competing for attention. You could just walk them every day around the block. One of your dogs with one of her dogs and just keep rotating them? (I don't know how well they walk on a leash). I just think trying to handle 3 dogs and socialize them all at first would be kinda difficult. So just take one out a day, then once they are all getting along you could start taking all the dogs at the same time so they are all use to being together. Eventually, I don't know how good your relationship is with your neighbor, but maybe you could work up into taking them into her backyard and yours.

Also, I was just wondering, when she lets her dogs out could you try and get your dogs attention on something else? Like playing ball or some other activity they like to do? Then praise them when they aren't paying attention to her dogs? If your dogs do start going crazy when they hear her dogs just give a reprimand with your voice like an "Ah-ah" or a "no!" Then when they shift their attention back to you give them high praise. Maybe at first just take one of your dogs out in the yard at a time, that way it'd be easier to manage them. Then work up to having them all out at the same time. I don't know, that might not be good advice at all and if not please don't be afraid to say so! Just a thought! Good luck! :)
 
#6 ·
I think trying to diffuse the situation is a very good idea. You don't want it escalating. I would try to get the dogs to get along or or atleast be okay with each other if your neighbor agrees or work hard on counter conditioning them so they don't go berserk when they hear them barking. We had a dog that we were watching for my mom's friend for a year and he one day got sick of my neighbors dog and broke through the fence and hurt him so bad they had to put their dog to sleep and my dog was almost shot by the police because they thought he was going to attack them. It was a huge disaster and very very sad so I hope you can figure out what works for your dogs quickly.
 
#8 ·
Is there a way you could ask the neighbor to take her dogs out into the yard while you take yours out one at a time and work on focus, recall, and desensitizing them to the dogs and the fence? With all three out at once, they're likely feeding off of each other which is why it's so hard to control them, but if you teach them each the default behavior you're looking for on their own, they should be much more likely to listen and easier to control
 
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