Peace At The Fence
Dogs are social animals. They love being with their family and they do great when we are around to supervise. Many folks think that dogs will just make the right decisions no matter the situation. This is an unrealistic expectation for any dog.
For instance, leaving dogs in the yard unattended for long periods of time can sometimes be problematic. Many dogs don't really frolic and have a great time by themselves. As mentioned above, they're social by nature and they tend to get bored when left alone. They will often bark excessively, become destructive, and even escape.
Another issue that can arise in backyards is that they are a great place for your dog and a neighboring dog/s to become territorial at the fence. For example, you're outside enjoying the day in the yard with your dog and your neighbor's dog who was left in his yard is bored and begins barking or snapping at the backyard fence. Your dog may decide that he needs to rush over and stop the neighboring dog from barking at HIS fence. These two dogs may be very social in general with other dogs and even with each other while together off their properties. But when there is a fence between them, creating a barrier for territory, all bets are off.
To help curb this behavior, first try supervising your dog while he's in the yard. Then practice calling your dog to you in the yard when there are no other distractions, specifically the neighbor dog. Use high value treats that he doesn't always get that will work with tough distractions. Call him to you and surprise him with that treat. Don't call him if you don't think he'll come to you, wait until you know he'll do it. Have the treat sitting on something or hide it. You don't need to hold it out and show it to him. This way he learns to come to you even when you don't show him the money!
Keep your body in a natural position so he gets used to being summoned when you're relaxed and comfortable. Call him from different areas in the yard as he improves. Teach him that coming to you is way more rewarding than going to the fence!
Practice with more and more distractions as time goes on. Using our neighbor dog example, the minute you hear the neighbor's dog running toward the fence (and preferably before your dog hears or sees him) call your dog to you and reward him. If you wait until he's too aroused, he'll go into the "I can't hear you" zone and he may not respond to you.
If you do have the neighbor dog scenario, try talking to your neighbor to see if he's willing to train his dog along with you and your and dog. At the very least, he might be willing to bring his dog inside more often to cut down on fence excitement. Also, hire a trainer to help you if you become unsure of what to do.
You really can have peace at the fence!
Marthina McClay, CPDT-KA
For instance, leaving dogs in the yard unattended for long periods of time can sometimes be problematic. Many dogs don't really frolic and have a great time by themselves. As mentioned above, they're social by nature and they tend to get bored when left alone. They will often bark excessively, become destructive, and even escape.
Another issue that can arise in backyards is that they are a great place for your dog and a neighboring dog/s to become territorial at the fence. For example, you're outside enjoying the day in the yard with your dog and your neighbor's dog who was left in his yard is bored and begins barking or snapping at the backyard fence. Your dog may decide that he needs to rush over and stop the neighboring dog from barking at HIS fence. These two dogs may be very social in general with other dogs and even with each other while together off their properties. But when there is a fence between them, creating a barrier for territory, all bets are off.
To help curb this behavior, first try supervising your dog while he's in the yard. Then practice calling your dog to you in the yard when there are no other distractions, specifically the neighbor dog. Use high value treats that he doesn't always get that will work with tough distractions. Call him to you and surprise him with that treat. Don't call him if you don't think he'll come to you, wait until you know he'll do it. Have the treat sitting on something or hide it. You don't need to hold it out and show it to him. This way he learns to come to you even when you don't show him the money!
Keep your body in a natural position so he gets used to being summoned when you're relaxed and comfortable. Call him from different areas in the yard as he improves. Teach him that coming to you is way more rewarding than going to the fence!
Practice with more and more distractions as time goes on. Using our neighbor dog example, the minute you hear the neighbor's dog running toward the fence (and preferably before your dog hears or sees him) call your dog to you and reward him. If you wait until he's too aroused, he'll go into the "I can't hear you" zone and he may not respond to you.
If you do have the neighbor dog scenario, try talking to your neighbor to see if he's willing to train his dog along with you and your and dog. At the very least, he might be willing to bring his dog inside more often to cut down on fence excitement. Also, hire a trainer to help you if you become unsure of what to do.
You really can have peace at the fence!
Marthina McClay, CPDT-KA
| peaceatfence.pdf |