Dog going mental @ neighbours dog
Discussion
Hi all advice and techniques required before we discuss with a behaviorist.
It's an on going problem we've been trying to control for the last 3yrs.
Our dog is well socialised and gets along with most other dogs, very rarely any conflict, if there is, it's only handbags not fighting.
Next door neighbours have a dog that doesn't get on or socialise with other dogs. When next doors dog is in the garden ours goes mental @ the fence, next doors dog responds as you would expect. We'll usually bring him back inside, and try to avoid letting him out if next doors dog is in the garden.
However it's getting worse, this morning he's going mental @ the fence & next door. Mrs PR tried to bring our dog in and he squared up to her, snarling, growling and baring his teeth.
When we've seen neighbour out with their dog (both on leads) they behave, although very uneasy. I've suggested we walk them together to try to socialise them a bit but my neighbours are reluctant to do this. Thier dog has previous for attacking other dogs so they'd rather just avoid dog walkers as much as possible.
Anyone with any bright ideas?
It's an on going problem we've been trying to control for the last 3yrs.
Our dog is well socialised and gets along with most other dogs, very rarely any conflict, if there is, it's only handbags not fighting.
Next door neighbours have a dog that doesn't get on or socialise with other dogs. When next doors dog is in the garden ours goes mental @ the fence, next doors dog responds as you would expect. We'll usually bring him back inside, and try to avoid letting him out if next doors dog is in the garden.
However it's getting worse, this morning he's going mental @ the fence & next door. Mrs PR tried to bring our dog in and he squared up to her, snarling, growling and baring his teeth.
When we've seen neighbour out with their dog (both on leads) they behave, although very uneasy. I've suggested we walk them together to try to socialise them a bit but my neighbours are reluctant to do this. Thier dog has previous for attacking other dogs so they'd rather just avoid dog walkers as much as possible.
Anyone with any bright ideas?
Thanks Bex. He has done this before, but only when this one dog is is in the next door garden garden. It's a territorial thing I'm guessing.
Other dogs (both known and unknown to him) have come around without a problem.
We phoned the dogs trust today, they've promised a call back from their behaviorist.
Other dogs (both known and unknown to him) have come around without a problem.
We phoned the dogs trust today, they've promised a call back from their behaviorist.
Mr GrimNasty said:
What if you kept your dog a few yards away from the fence with a temporary fence - rolled out chicken wire and metal stakes - would he still kick off?
Yes tried that. I'm presently reinforcing the original fence.................It's ever so strange, the difference between normal and fence behavior. It's like something out of the exorcist. Out and about no problems, other dogs, children, cyclists, joggers, tractors, horses, sheep, cows, pubs (actually really really likes pubs) pub dogs, lawn mowers, cars, buses, lorry's, motorbikes, couldn't give a monkeys, but one next door dog................
Thanks BB all valid points.
When either of us are in the garden, we can divert his attention before he goes ballistic. Once ballistic and tearing @ the fence much more difficult, no amount of toys, treats or words gets his attention.
I've had some success with a super-soaker
This takes the wind out of his sails and diffuses the situation long enough to take control.
The perfect situation would be for him to ignore next door, we like to leave the doors open and he likes to spend time in the garden. I've spoken to my neighbour again re walking both dogs together, I feel this would help, we'll see how we get on.
No call back from the Dogs Trust behaviorist yet, although I'm not holding my breath.
When either of us are in the garden, we can divert his attention before he goes ballistic. Once ballistic and tearing @ the fence much more difficult, no amount of toys, treats or words gets his attention.
I've had some success with a super-soaker
This takes the wind out of his sails and diffuses the situation long enough to take control. The perfect situation would be for him to ignore next door, we like to leave the doors open and he likes to spend time in the garden. I've spoken to my neighbour again re walking both dogs together, I feel this would help, we'll see how we get on.
No call back from the Dogs Trust behaviorist yet, although I'm not holding my breath.
I had an interesting conversation with a trainer from the Dogs Trust.
She said we had to "break the cycle", all the time he was going mental at the fence he was "practising his behavior"
So the old regime.
Neighbours dog would come out
Our dog would go mental/barking
Our dog would get a b
king for barking, and bought inside.
In dogs mind.
Neighbour's dog is out
Want it to go away, start barking
While neighbours dog is out I'm going to get a bking so bark louder/harder to make other dog go away.
So the new regime
Noise from next door's drive or garden, dog gets a treat.
Dog thinks
Hmmmm next door dog not so bad, when it's out I'm treated 
Not sure that's exactly how it works but so far so good.
Seems to associate noise/dog & cars/people on next doors drive with treat rather than "gotta see em off"
We're using mini treats from Wilko, he'd go through too many normal biscuits.
It's only been a few days but things seem better, and neighbours have remarked it's all a bit quieter. Roll on summer.
She said we had to "break the cycle", all the time he was going mental at the fence he was "practising his behavior"
So the old regime.
Neighbours dog would come out
Our dog would go mental/barking
Our dog would get a b
king for barking, and bought inside.In dogs mind.
Neighbour's dog is out
Want it to go away, start barking
While neighbours dog is out I'm going to get a b
king so bark louder/harder to make other dog go away.So the new regime
Noise from next door's drive or garden, dog gets a treat.
Dog thinks
Hmmmm next door dog not so bad,
when it's out I'm treated Not sure that's exactly how it works but so far so good.
Seems to associate noise/dog & cars/people on next doors drive with treat rather than "gotta see em off"
We're using mini treats from Wilko, he'd go through too many normal biscuits.
It's only been a few days but things seem better, and neighbours have remarked it's all a bit quieter.
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