Do you have a fence-fighting pup who won’t stop barking? If so, you’re not alone.
Fence fighting is a common problem in many households with dogs, and understanding how to address it can be difficult.
Luckily, this article will give you a five-step guide to help you stop your pup’s fence fighting.
We’ll cover what fence fighting is, why dogs do it, steps to secure the fence, creating a visual obstruction, positive activities to distract dogs, implementing positive reinforcement, and tips for managing fence fighting.
So, if you’re ready to gain peace and quiet in your home, read on to learn how to stop your pup’s fence fighting.
Short Answer
Fence fighting can be stopped by providing distractions for the dogs, such as toys and treats.
If the dogs are of different sizes, it can also help to raise the height of the fence to ensure that one dog is not able to reach the other.
If the two dogs are fighting frequently, it may be helpful to separate them when they are outdoors and only allow them to be in the same area when supervised.
It may also help to provide additional enrichment activities, such as interactive toys, to help keep the dogs entertained and distracted from the other dog.
What is Fence Fighting?
Fence fighting is a behavior that occurs when two dogs that are kept in close proximity engage in aggressive behavior towards each other through a fence or barrier.
This can range from barking and growling to pawing and biting, and is a common problem among pet owners with dogs that are kept outside.
Fence fighting can be caused by a variety of things, such as territorial behavior, boredom, or lack of socialization.
It can also be a sign of anxiety or fear, as dogs may become defensive when they feel threatened by another animal.
No matter the cause, fence fighting can be a difficult behavior to break, and can lead to hurt feelings and even physical harm if not addressed.
Fortunately, pet owners can take a few steps to stop their dogs from fence fighting and help create a peaceful environment for both animals.
Why Do Dogs Fence Fight?
Fence fighting is a common problem between two dogs kept in close proximity, but many pet owners don’t understand why their pets engage in this behavior.
Generally, dogs fence fight because they are territorial and want to protect their space.
Dogs are naturally social creatures that enjoy the company of other canines and may see a neighbor’s dog as a potential playmate.
Unfortunately, when they can’t interact directly, they resort to fence fighting.
Other reasons why dogs fence fight include boredom, lack of exercise, frustration, or even the presence of a new pet in the area.
Dogs may also bark and lunge at the fence in an attempt to establish dominance over a perceived rival.
In some cases, dogs may also be responding to a fear of the unknown and may be acting out of fear or anxiety.
It’s important to note that fence fighting can be a difficult behavior to break, but with the right tools and a little patience, pet owners can effectively stop their dogs from fence fighting.
The first step is to make sure the fence is secure and that there are no holes or other access points that the dogs can use to reach one another.
Additionally, owners can also create a barrier between their dogs by using a visual obstruction such as a fence topper, or by planting shrubs or bushes.
Finally, pet owners should engage their dogs in positive activities to distract them from fence fighting and to help build a healthy relationship between them.
By understanding the causes of fence fighting, pet owners can better address the problem and ensure that their pets live a peaceful and harmonious life.
Steps to Secure the Fence
The first step in preventing fence fighting between two dogs is to make sure that the fence is completely secure.
This means that all holes, crevices, and other access points should be patched or blocked off.
It is also important to check for any areas where the fence may be weak or have gaps that the dogs could easily jump over.
If possible, add a fence topper to the existing fence to make it more difficult for the dogs to access each other.
Additionally, pet owners may want to consider planting shrubs or bushes along the fence line to create a visual barrier and further discourage the dogs from fence fighting.
Finally, it is important to inspect the fence regularly to ensure that it is still secure and that there are no new access points for the dogs.
With a securely fenced yard, pet owners can reduce the risk of their dogs engaging in fence fighting.
Creating a Visual Obstruction
One way to stop fence fighting between two dogs is to create a visual obstruction.
This can be done in a few different ways, such as using a fence topper, planting shrubs or bushes, or placing other barriers between the two dogs.
A fence topper is a type of barrier that is placed on top of the fence line and acts as a physical reminder to the dogs that they are not allowed to interact with one another.
Planting shrubs or bushes can also be used as a visual obstruction by blocking the line of sight between the two dogs and preventing them from seeing each other.
Finally, other barriers such as lattices, boards, or privacy screens can be used to create a physical barrier between the two dogs.
By creating a visual obstruction, pet owners can help to reduce the chances of their dogs engaging in fence fighting.
Positive Activities to Distract Dogs
Positive activities are a great way to distract dogs from fence fighting and help build a healthy relationship between them. Here are some activities owners can do to help keep their dogs occupied and away from the fence:
Take your dogs on daily walks or hikes.
This can help reduce stress and give your dogs an opportunity to bond and explore the outdoors together.
Play fetch or tug-of-war with your dogs.
This can help to keep your dogs active and focused on something other than the fence.
Give your dogs interactive toys or puzzles that require them to problem solve or use their brains.
This can help to keep their minds occupied and away from any potential fence fighting.
Practice basic obedience commands like sit, stay, come, and down.
This can help to reinforce positive behavior and redirect their focus away from the fence.
Teach your dogs tricks like rolling over, shaking hands, or playing dead.
This can help to keep your dogs engaged and entertained while helping to build a strong bond between them.
Have your dogs play with each other on a regular basis.
This can help to build a positive relationship between them and encourage them to play together instead of fighting with each other.
By engaging your dogs in positive activities, you can help to distract them from fence fighting and help build a healthy relationship between them.
With a little patience and the right tools, pet owners can effectively stop their dogs from fence fighting.
Implementing Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is an effective way to stop fence fighting between dogs.
This method of training involves providing rewards and praise when your dog displays desirable behavior, ultimately reinforcing it and encouraging them to repeat it.
In the case of fence fighting, you can reward your dog with treats, verbal praise, or by playing with them when they turn away from the fence and ignore the other dog.
This will help your dog to associate the desirable behavior of ignoring the other dog with something positive rather than being drawn to the fence.
Additionally, you can practice obedience commands such as sit and stay with your dog to help distract them from the other dog and to help build a healthy relationship between them.
Finally, its important to be consistent with your rewards and praise and to remain patient with your dog; fence fighting can take some time to break and its important not to get discouraged.
With consistency and patience, you can effectively use positive reinforcement to stop your dog from fence fighting.
Tips for Managing Fence Fighting
Fence fighting is a common problem between two dogs that are kept in close proximity.
It can be an extremely frustrating and difficult behavior to break, but with the right tips, pet owners can take action to stop their dogs from fence fighting.
The first step in managing fence fighting is to ensure that the fence is secure and that there are no holes or other access points that the dogs can use to reach one another.
This is especially important if the dogs are in different yards, as a small opening can be all it takes for them to start an altercation.
Additionally, its a good idea to check for any weak spots in the fence and reinforce them if necessary.
Another way to manage fence fighting is by creating a barrier between the two dogs.
This can be done with a visual obstruction such as a fence topper or by planting shrubs or bushes.
This can help to create a physical barrier that the dogs cannot cross, and can also help to distract them from focusing on one another.
Finally, its important to engage the dogs in positive activities to help distract them from fence fighting and to help build a healthy relationship between them.
This could include supervised play sessions, rewarding them for good behavior, or teaching them basic commands.
With time and patience, pet owners can effectively stop their dogs from fence fighting.
Final Thoughts
Pet owners can take a few simple steps to stop their dogs from fence fighting, such as making sure their fence is secure and introducing visual obstructions and positive activities to distract their dogs.
By implementing these measures, in combination with positive reinforcement, owners can effectively stop their dogs from fence fighting.
With patience, consistency, and a bit of creativity, pet owners can create a healthy relationship between their dogs and put an end to fence fighting.