Foxes

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

Does anyone have any advice about what I should do when a fox comes into the garden during the night and the dog starts to bark? Two nights running he's started to bark and I know it's a fox because I saw it playing with the dog's squeaky toy in the garden! Sqeak squeak squeak for over half an hour. I didn't like to go downstairs in case the dog then got excited to see me and wouldn't go back to sleep and to be honest, I can't really hear him from my room. DD2 and DS can, however, and it woke them both up. The dog sleeps in his crate and as far as I know can't see out of the window from there, but I suppose he can sense something is out there (or hear something playing with HIS toy!). Any advice/tips from dog owners more experienced than myself much appreciated (dog is almost 6 months old).

[twojues]

I have a dog who goes crazy when he can hear the foxes outside in the garden. If I leave him free downstairs at night and he hears them, he sticks his head out the catflap and barks crazily. I now shut both dogs in my dining room and have the radio on.

This stops him from hearing the foxes and I get a good night's sleep!!

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

Thanks, Two. Might try the radio if it happens again. We'll see how we get on tonight ...

[Elibean]

Wretched foxes, I know the problem!

Mouse has managed to get out of his crate twice now, when foxes have been up against the house (he can hear them). At which point he has pooed all over the kitchen floor, presumably in fear or excitement. Grrr to foxes (and dhs who don't close crates properly).

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

Glad it isn't just us (I've a feeling your SW London too, Elibean??)! Anyway, I hope it doesn't happen tonight just because I don't want the DCs waking too often - especially as I don't actually hear the barking! What did you do when he got out? Did you go and put him back in or did you not realise until the morning? That's where I'm stuck, really: should I ignore him or go down and lay down the law?!

[Elibean]

Yes, SW London: fox heaven!

We went down, put dog outside for a minute, cleared up poo/pee, put dog back in crate and went back to bed. 5am ish both times.

But we didn't lay down the law, just cleared up and calmed him down - he was terrified. It doens't happen when he can't get out of his crate, thankfully, and he only barked once out.

I'm nto sure with barking in crate...I'd try the radio on, I think. Its such a natural reaction, I'm not sure how you'd begin to train him out of it - maybe someone else (minimuu?) would have some ideas!

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

Poor Mouse! Not sure my little man was frightened - he's a bit daft so probably just thought it was a playmate or that he was missing out on something. I'll see how it goes tonight - and make sure there are no squeaky toys left in the garden. I don't suppose my neighbours were too impressed either! I hope to goodness they don't hear him barking ...

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

"My little man". [sigh] I really do need to remember he is a DOG and not my BABY!!

[wannaBe]

I would also remove the toys from the garden, and not give them back to the dog if the fox has been in contact with them until you have washed them thoroughly as foxes carry mange and this could transfer to the dog.

We get foxes in the garden too. Interestingly though my dogs don't bark at them, but they yap in my garden and as we have a rabbit I wish to deter them. I have been known to send the dog out there - they have usually disappeared as he runs out on to the decking (decking has a gate so he can't go far and is a good deterrent).

[RedwingWinter]

I always investigate what Dog2 is barking at. If it's something I want him to bark at, he gets praise; if it's something silly, like a creature in the garden, I mutter 'silly dog' and ignore him and walk away. He seems to be learning.

Our husky doesn't bark. I have to investigate Dog2s barking though, because if it goes on for long then the husky starts to howl. Barking and howling isn't much fun.

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

I have rescued the toys and put them in the washing machine. I don't think there was any barking last night - at least, I didn't hear any and DD2 and DS opted to sleep in my room for a sleepover (for no good reason, it apparently just seemed like fun ).

[pinkbeachchick]

Sorry to go off at a tangent but as wannaBe says, foxes carry manage and if this transfers to your dog it can be awful. Thankfully our dog is young, fit and healthy or otherwise I don't think he would have survived the manage he caught last year (which we are sure came from foxes coming into our garden).