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Original poster

My dog is addicted to our fence and it's driving me mad!

87 replies

colourPink · 02/06/2023 16:46

I live on an estate so my garden connects with others. When we first got our dog (who is currently three) both my neighbour to the left and the neighbour opposite had a dog. Marvel (my dog who's a pomsky which is a Pomeranian x husky) used to sniff curiously both fences but once he'd had a sniff he was happy to leave it.

It was lockdown when we first had Marvel so after a year or so our neighbours (opposite) dog sat for a week and everything changed. He went mental! Running up and down the fence, barking, frantically digging to try and get underneath.

Once the other dog left we thought the behaviour would stop but it hasn't. Neither of my neighbours have a dog anymore but he is obsessed (and I mean obsessed) with that back fence. When they did have their dogs he started that behaviour with them - even when this had never been a problem previously!

When we let him out for a wee the first thing he does it run to the fence to check it. He will often spend a lot of time just sniffing/walking the length of it even though there's isn't another dog there. He is truly obsessed with it.

We've had to put wooden planks all along the length of it as he's dug so many holes but not much keeps him at bay.

On a good day: he'll have his sniff at the fence but then ignore it and lie in the sun/ chill in the garden.

Today is a bad day. My neighbours opposite are dog sitting and he's acting feral. I have a second dog now (a chihuahua) and she's starting to mimic the behaviour. He digs frantically, barks etc and it's awful! I'm very lucky that my neighbours are so kind and understanding. It's lovely weather and I haven't been able to sit out today due to his behaviour. I've had to put him on a lead just to make sure he wees (but even then he's too hyper focused on the other dog). I feel like a crazy woman shouting his name etc to try and get him to stop but he won't listen to me, to anyone or anything, when the fence is involved.

Once we're inside he'll settle for an hour before barking at the back door. Thats his signal that he wants to go out but he just goes back to that fence.

It's really getting me down and driving me mad! I don't even know where to begin with training for this. I'm 6 months pregnant and desperately saving for maternity leave so hiring a behaviour specialist isn't in the cards for us right now. Just as a FYI he's not particularly a food motivated dog either.

Does anyone have any training advice?

Should I just put up a second smaller fence to stop him going to the back? I could try it but I'm reluctant as 1) it would make my garden look awful. 2) my garden isn't that big and that's taking a big chunk away. Not something I'm overly keen to do as next summer I'll have a baby playing out there.

Sorry for the long post. I'm pregnant, hormonal and feel at such a loss with this! I appreciate any advice.

Thanks

OP posts:
FrangipaniBlue · 02/06/2023 17:29

Are the other dogs female and is your boy in tact?

If they are he is, there's your issue.

Even if they aren't currently in season, at some point they will have wee'd or scented on the fence/in your neighbours garden.

Original poster
colourPink · 02/06/2023 17:34

@FrangipaniBlue

He's been neutered and I have no idea what sex the other dog is. But this is a possibility!

OP posts:
stayathomer · 02/06/2023 17:34

He should be getting enough stimulation from his daily walks and indoor training to not need to be in the garden.
Dont want to derail the thread but why on earth would a dog not be outside when possible?

FrangipaniBlue · 02/06/2023 18:17

Aw well it was worth a thought!

Sounds it's just become habit now

Alphabeaters · 02/06/2023 20:21

We had a dog similar to this around 10 years ago. The dog trainer recommended spraying him with the hose pipe every time he did the unwanted behaviour. It did work, but these days trainers recommend positive reinforcement and not negative.

WestOfWestminster · 02/06/2023 20:26

Maybe not popular but could you rehome the dog? The situation just sounds miserable for both you and your neighbours.

BelindaBears · 02/06/2023 20:30

Sounds under exercised / under stimulated. Is one walk a day enough for a husky cross?

TheYear2000 · 02/06/2023 20:40

My neighbours dog did this, they said he was territorial and guarding the property against our dog. When we met them out on walks, their dog was fine, but anywhere near his home, the dog was super aggressive with my dog.
I'm afraid I can't tell you what helped as they moved! I just made sure my dog didn't bark back by rewarding him for being quiet and ignoring it. Have you trained your dog to hush? That could be an idea. I'd also be tempted to put up a barrier like chicken wire or something, to stop your dog going up to that fence and just see if you can stop the habit?

Successstory82 · 03/06/2023 06:36

BelindaBears · 02/06/2023 20:30

Sounds under exercised / under stimulated. Is one walk a day enough for a husky cross?

This.

one walk a day isn’t enough for a husky dog and indeed most dogs (obviously differing in duration and activity level).

3x a day here. Lots of running and also a heck of a lot of sniffing. Comes homes and flakes on bed. Then potters around the garden. When i was ill and couldn’t walk her…. She’d definitely be more into things and naughty!

Successstory82 · 03/06/2023 06:38

The dog sounds bored with energy to burn

You won’t like that answer op but it’s likely the truth.

I know you said you don’t have the fund for training but what about a dog walker (cheaper) to make that one walk a day… two (one of which will be long, active and full of stimulation with other dogs)

Tots678 · 03/06/2023 06:42

Perhaps there are foxes or rats there at night and he smells them.
Can you pour diluted dettol or a similar strong smelling cleaner onto the wooden fence and area beside it.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 03/06/2023 07:17

What stands out to me is that you have a husky cross and only really walk it once a day. It's just not enough.

Huskies are super intelligent athletes and need jobs - otherwise they get bored and find their own forms of entertainment - in your case, obsessing over the fence.

You can do all the training in the world but if you don't exercise your dog properly, it wont work.

Reluctantadult · 03/06/2023 07:26

I'm no dog trainer, and I do think you need to speak to a behaviourist. But it sounds to me like your dog thinks it's job is to guard the perimeter. I don't think a second fence would help as its not addressing the root cause and might stress your dog out more that he can't perform his job. You need to redirect the behaviour somehow and reward not doing it. This is what a behaviourist could advise you on.

Reluctantadult · 03/06/2023 07:28

Perhaps a start would be rewarding calm behaviour in the garden. You say he is not food orientated so you might have to get some mega treats in like liver or cheese or up the anti some other way. If you've got a mat or blanket you could reward him for lying on that calmly telling him 'settle' which is something you can train.

Doingmybest12 · 03/06/2023 07:33

We had a highly anxious dog who used to run up and down our long garden along the fence barking at the slightest noise or movement on the other side , he wore a groove in the grass. Could not stop him once he started. We cordoned off a smaller part of the garden so he just couldn't do it and he seemed much happier that he only had a small area to be in and patrol. It made the world of difference and broke the habit and eventually he had the whole garden open again. Is this an option?

Doingmybest12 · 03/06/2023 07:35

Buy agree second walk too

booksandbrooks · 03/06/2023 07:54

Sorry but given that this has been going on for 2 years now I think you owe it to your dog and your neighbours to get professional help here.

Also 3 walks a day and read up on huskies.

Original poster
colourPink · 03/06/2023 07:57

Doingmybest12 · 03/06/2023 07:33

We had a highly anxious dog who used to run up and down our long garden along the fence barking at the slightest noise or movement on the other side , he wore a groove in the grass. Could not stop him once he started. We cordoned off a smaller part of the garden so he just couldn't do it and he seemed much happier that he only had a small area to be in and patrol. It made the world of difference and broke the habit and eventually he had the whole garden open again. Is this an option?

We're going to try this today! Thanks ☺️

OP posts:
Messyhair321 · 03/06/2023 08:00

Do you have pet insurance? You might be able to get the help of a canine behaviourist through that?
I don't see how you can correct this behaviour without one unfortunately unless you dig deep into recommendations already made on thread.
This is not the sort of behaviour that is easily corrected without a lot of work. You will have to put the work in to correct it.

Your dog thinks that there are dogs on the other side of the fence, & therefore is guarding it, letting them know that it's his area I suspect. However in no expert (I do work with dogs every day but not in that capacity).

I would be leading your dog up & down the fence on a lead, calmly leading him away whenever he gets excited or shows signs of fixation. Then go back when he's calm again, it's retraining him to recognise that It's just another bit of the garden. Like I said I am no expert though so I might be way off.

Successstory82 · 03/06/2023 08:01

Your Husky will need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day. We'd recommend spreading this across the day and vary your walking routes so they don't get bored. Ideally this should also include off-lead exercise in a secure area.

Your dog needs… more OP
not a second fence

Messyhair321 · 03/06/2023 08:01

*I'd also throw in some tasty treats when he's displaying calm behaviour in the garden too

Successstory82 · 03/06/2023 08:03

Huskies are an extremely active high energy dog and require at least one hour a day of energy burning activity, but more is preferred. If they don’t receive the exercise they need to release their pent-up energy they can become quite destructive. They are also masters at digging holes and jumping over high fences so they are prone to escape if they are bored and looking for activity.

I reckon he’s also trying to get out

78Summer · 03/06/2023 08:05

Huskies have the energy to run up to 100 miles a day. Sounds like he has energy to burn and needs an additional long walk where he can run off the leash.

WilkinsonM · 03/06/2023 08:07

Who the fuck thought it was a good idea to breed a Pomeranian with a husky?

Original poster
colourPink · 03/06/2023 08:08

WilkinsonM · 03/06/2023 08:07

Who the fuck thought it was a good idea to breed a Pomeranian with a husky?

No idea!! He was a rescue at 10 weeks old. I'm

OP posts:
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