Charging the fence line

[balkis]

Hi Mike,

I need some serious help here. Out of all the issues and problems I've had along the way this has been the absolute worst and most dangerous.

After really, really, really trying for almost two and a half years now (several different methods), I still cannot figure out how to stop Kaila and Stitch from charging the fence line (either the chain link or the stockade fence).

The entire area that they are in is covered with plants AND material over the fence itself. You cannot see into the yard from the outside perimeter. As we all know though, dogs don't need to see they have their noses. So every time a person or person with a dog walks by (my house is on the corner of the block in a neighborhood with a 30 mph speed limit - LOTS of people walk their dogs) Kaila and Stitch charge the fence. Sometimes it's Kaila who starts it and sometimes Stitch. Mostly Kaila.

What I have noticed lately is Stitch actually going towards Kaila as if to block her or herd her. What makes this especially dangerous is Kaila's knee has been really bothering her so she is grumpier than ever and I actually thought she might go after Stitch the other day.

(As you and I have discussed briefly Mike, this is exactly what happened with Sadie.)

To make matters worse, the people across the street still let their white German Shepard run loose (much less since I called animal control last year and Stitch jumped the 6 foot fence and bit their dog - in that order). So every time their garage door opens my 2 dogs get their fur and tails up - both heading for the same corner of the yard.

My dogs are NEVER outside when we are not home and any time they are out if I hear a peep from them (or Milo barking his head off) I go outside right away to see what's going on. But as you can imagine it is very frustrating and stressful to always have to have one ear listening. I would like to be able to let them go out in the yard (which we hope is now been secured enough) while I'm in the house doing what I need to do.

I have tried a beeper with a command (works well on Stitch only- doesn't bother Kaila or Milo ). Right now, if we hear barking we go out there and say no,no quiet or sometimes we just go out there and bring them inside. But I have to say I am really at my wits end, yesterday, on such a beautiful day, I finally had to bring them inside becuase they were constantly at it. I really wanted to scream!

I'm not a person who gives up easily but I don't know what else to do. Do you think you can help?

[Mike D'Abruzzo]

A few things to think of here.

First thing is to always think of how you can manage the situation safely while you are working on the problem. If there is any chance that Stitch can jump the fence or you see a possible fight brewing between Stich and Sadie I would say keep them out of the yard - or not in the yard at the same time unleashed. Always manage a problem until you have the training and tools to deal with it properly.

Next, you want to think of what is your goal and is it realistic. Do you want the dogs to not charge the actual fence line and/or do you not want them to bark too? Would it be ok if the barked but stayed away from the fence line or OK if they charged the fence line and just didnt bark?

Let me know since - depending on what you want we can try different plans.

[balkis]

Hi Mike,

Not to worry, right now I am definitely managing the situation. The fence has been fixed so Stitch can no longer jump over it and like I said, as soon as I hear any barking or fuss I go over to see what's going on. Also btw, it's Kaila and Stitch not Sadie. Sadie passed away Jan 2007.

Ideally, I would like them to ignore passers-by/distractions on the other side of the fence. That would be my goal.

[Mike D'Abruzzo]

Sorry about the Sadie mix up, Wrote last post when almost about to pass out from exhaustion!

The fence thing can be tricky if you expect too much from them. It kind of goes back to the first part of our troubleshooting system "knowledge".

We must understand first what we are starting with and what is realistic. Most dogs will become territorial if left to their own devices in the yard - especially if you have a dog that may be of a breed that was selectively bred to be that way ie. Kaila.

Also it sounds like you have a training ground for property protection dogs - since you have a busy sidewalk bordering the fenced in property - with people walking by probably feet from the fence. the only good thing in your favor is that their seems to be a visual barrier, but doesnt help that much when passerbys are so close they can be heard.

This can definitely be helped by leaps and bounds - but realistically only if you are out there with them and in control of the situation (with good phase 3 obedience). When they are by themselves it is a battle between the two of them as to who is allowed to take charge and call the shots.

This isnt very different from owning a dog that when you are with, you can throw a party in your home - but when you go to sleep at night or at work no one can come in. It is one of the most ancient uses of dogs along with hunting (and apparently as a food source according to some new study!).

When dogs are really charging a fence line bad - the only reliable solution I have seen that works when you are not there is to also install an invisble fence on the inside perimeter to keep them as far back from the fence as you would like - but this does nothing for barking. Theoretically there are bark collars for that, but i always felt that if you had to go this far - the dogs would be enjoying themselves more indoors anyway at that point.

If they were my dogs I would probably save the outdoor exercise for when i was out there with them to instruct "leave it" when they were distracted by the passerbys or put them out when it is a quite time of the day (if there is a quite time).

overall, like trying to teach a dog not to sniff the ground when they are outside by themselves - this would be a whopper to accomplish to the extent of totally ignoring passerbys when alone, because it goes so far against the dogs' instincts.

[balkis]

Hi Mike,

ok - thanks that helps put things into perspective for me. I will continue to manage the situation carefully with my new expectations.

At this point in our training do you think I should I buy the Phase 3 collars for them? Or maybe just for Kaila (Stitch responds to the silent beeper I have). Also, this question leads me back to another subject I left on the forum about a week ago - Training Timeline. When you have a chance (LOL) can you possibly respond to that?