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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:
quietheart · 03/06/2023 08:10

How much research did you do about this breed before getting him? Was he socialised being a lockdown dog? They need a lot of exercise and are not that easy to train. A lick mat and a kong is nice for endorphins but is not a substitute.

If you can afford a temporary fence you can afford a dog consultant. They will address your individual dog and his environment.

Hoppinggreen · 03/06/2023 08:15

colourPink · 03/06/2023 08:08

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

Show quote history

Of course, only a complete idiot would deliberately choose to cross these 2 breeds.
Very busy working dog and neurotic hyper breed, what could possibly go wrong?
Probably bred entirely for looks .
Sounds like you need to treat your dog as if he were a Husky and forget the Pom bit, my friends with Huskies run miles with them. They are working dogs rather than pets

gogohmm · 03/06/2023 08:16

Obviously checking his behaviour though my ddog checks the boundary each time he goes into the garden, not sure how common this is but as long as they don't bark it's not an issue. Will he play with balls instead perhaps? I also suspect he needs more exercise, huskies need lots and lots, your vet should be able to advise you of how much

Original poster
colourPink · 03/06/2023 08:17

Thanks for the advice. I feel as if I have plenty to start a few things!

  1. we are going to fence off the end of the garden. If this stresses him out we'll re-evaluate. Knowing him, I think he'll pace it for a while but will eventually get bored. Him being able to smell the other dog is the issue.
  2. He has an hour walk every morning (90% of this time is off lead) and often has a second walk in the evenings. We're going to make sure he has that second walk every day to see if that helps and days I'm not working (or my husband isn't) a smaller lunch time walk (weather dependant).
  3. we are going to look into a few behavioural specialists in our area. Hopefully we can afford one!

We're just back from our morning walk and he still ran to the back garden. The other dog is no longer there so he sniffed it for five minutes (whilst I hung out washing) and then left it alone. He's now fast asleep on the sofa and I'm preparing a frozen lick mat for him later on.

By the end of the day the new smaller fence will be up and it's worth a try! It's going to go to about my thigh length and Marvel isn't very big - about the size of a cockapoo or springer so fingers crossed it at least helps!

OP posts:
Original poster
colourPink · 03/06/2023 08:20

@Hoppinggreen we do treat him more husky. He's very intelligent but very stubborn. Recall training was HARD work with him and took a A LOT of time but we got there.

He's also quite anxious - doesn't like loud noises, strangers, big objects.... he's such a softy! But I ADORE him with all my heart.

He's very loving and playful and everyone comments that he has one of the most laid back personalities of a dog they've ever met . He is super chill ... just not when it comes to that bloody fence 😂

OP posts:
Girliefriendlikespuppies · 03/06/2023 08:21

I think you'd have to make going into the garden as boring as possible for a while to break the habit. That means lead or long line every time he goes into the garden, avoid letting him anywhere near the fence.

After a few weeks of doing this work on recall in the garden and rewarding calm behaviour.

I think this behaviour is similar to the door excitement my ddog gets and this is how we sorted that.

quietheart · 03/06/2023 08:22

How high can he jump? My friend works in a husky rescue centre and they have to have 6 foot enclosures. Not saying Marvel can jump 6’ but might clear a small fence? My Springer could clear a thigh high fence if he thought it was worth it.

SquirrelFeed · 03/06/2023 08:25

Our dog does this. He runs up and down the fence line whimpering but only when next doors dog is out. We’ve put up a secondary barrier fence so he doesn’t crash into shared fence. Small garden, looks crap but helps. He’s not allowed in the garden alone. We take high value treats out and call him away and reward him every single time he goes near the fence (other dog there or not). If we want to sit outside we take his mat and practice settle training. He gets rewarded for staying on the mat. It’s hard work and frustrating at times but we’re definitely making progress.

Original poster
colourPink · 03/06/2023 08:25

quietheart · 03/06/2023 08:22

How high can he jump? My friend works in a husky rescue centre and they have to have 6 foot enclosures. Not saying Marvel can jump 6’ but might clear a small fence? My Springer could clear a thigh high fence if he thought it was worth it.

I've never seen him jump a fence or a high objects etc because he is usually very chilled out! It's just something he's never attempted. If he clears it ( which is a possibility) then he'll just have to go on his lead in the garden at all times.

Perhaps selfishly, but in this weather I like having the back door open and the dogs can wander in and out as they please. Marvel loves being outside and has a dog pool he plays in throughout the day. IF there's a way I can still keep that going for him I'd rather it but if not then tough luck I guess.

OP posts:
SquirrelFeed · 03/06/2023 08:30

Oh, and we have a stair gate across the back doors so we can open them without him going out. He could clear them if he wanted to but wouldn’t.

Original poster
colourPink · 03/06/2023 08:32

SquirrelFeed · 03/06/2023 08:30

Oh, and we have a stair gate across the back doors so we can open them without him going out. He could clear them if he wanted to but wouldn’t.

This is also a good idea!

OP posts:
Flippersmum · 03/06/2023 08:37

It's absolutely normal for a dog to check the boundaries of the garden every time they go out.
I would say No firmly and bring him in every time he barks at the fence. But if he sits looking at it/keeps sniffing it, that's not a problem is it? If you want him to relax and come away, train him to "Settle" on command.

DiscoBeat · 03/06/2023 08:40

You could try squirting him with a water pistol as soon as he starts digging or showing the behaviours, accompanied by a firm 'no'. Have high value treats on you and immediately reward him when he stops or if he ignores the fence. So only let him out when you are out there with him so you can be very consistent.

HerMammy · 03/06/2023 08:44

He's walked every day - often twice a day
He's bored, he's a husky x, he needs way more than one walk a day.
We have a husky x springer and my son takes him running with him (at least 5 miles) plus 2 walks; every day and he could keep going.
Husky is high energy, pom demented.

Hoppinggreen · 03/06/2023 08:52

colourPink · 03/06/2023 08:20

@Hoppinggreen we do treat him more husky. He's very intelligent but very stubborn. Recall training was HARD work with him and took a A LOT of time but we got there.

He's also quite anxious - doesn't like loud noises, strangers, big objects.... he's such a softy! But I ADORE him with all my heart.

He's very loving and playful and everyone comments that he has one of the most laid back personalities of a dog they've ever met . He is super chill ... just not when it comes to that bloody fence 😂

I’m sure you love him very much but would you have bought a Husky?
The majority of people who get Huskies aren’t equipped to deal with them. I have a lot of dog experience, have a large secure garden and plenty of time but there is no way I would have one, they need a job.
Still, it’s too late now so you need to work out how to manage him and he’s probably not getting enough exercise, as I said the people I know with Huskies run for miles, sled dog them, do Canicross or similar.

quietheart · 03/06/2023 08:53

When you say on his lead do you mean like a tether with a spike in the ground? Could it be shortened so he can not reach the fence but can get in his pool?
Would the Pom in him benefit from more frequent 30 mins walks rather than fewer 60 minute walks?

Successstory82 · 03/06/2023 08:58

Was your chihuahua puppy also a rescue?

Successstory82 · 03/06/2023 09:03

unusual to get two dogs with so different walking needs and a small garden

Original poster
colourPink · 03/06/2023 09:50

@Successstory82 our garden isn't small it's just not large either. A very average size but the grass area (beyond the patio) isn't overly large.

No, our chihuahua is wasn't a rescue. She was a gift.

OP posts:
tatteddear · 03/06/2023 09:55

We had this and couldn't afford a behaviourist. We fashioned a sort of fence around the fence so dog couldn't get to it and got her in every single time she barked at the fence.
That was beginning to work but I couldn't tell you if that was what ended the behaviour for good, or wether it was when my very old school Mother was minding her for the weekend and sprayed her with a hose every time she did it. Not sure that's the ideal way to correct behaviour and I wasn't happy at all, but in fairness she has never done it again. And she still does like my Mum.

Original poster
colourPink · 03/06/2023 09:57

@tatteddear this morning I've been stood at the back of the fence with the washing line pole (sounds ridiculous but he's afraid of it and won't come near me when I have it). It's worked a great! He hasn't even tried to approach the fence 😂

We're now currently in the garden and he's leaving it alone. We're still putting up a smaller fence but at least something is working in the mean time.

OP posts:
quietheart · 03/06/2023 10:02

I've been stood at the back of the fence with the washing line pole

Try a scarecrow 😂👻

Original poster
colourPink · 03/06/2023 10:12

quietheart · 03/06/2023 10:02

I've been stood at the back of the fence with the washing line pole

Try a scarecrow 😂👻

I honestly think that would work. He's such a wimp! Always scared of the snow men on the field in winter 😂

OP posts:
diddl · 03/06/2023 11:36

He has an hour walk every morning (90% of this time is off lead) and often has a second walk in the evenings.

Bloody hell is that all?

I always walked my dog three times a day-thought hat this was the norm?

MrsSkylerWhite · 03/06/2023 11:45

He needs much more exercise. Our terrier needed at least 3 hours walking every day right up until a week before she passed at 15. A husky is going to need more than a terrier.

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