fence fighting

[Kermit]

Anyone have this problem? My neighbors who just moved in with their two pit bulls pretty much leave the dogs out unattended most of the day. So they get really bored. And the female is pregnant so she's in a bad mood. So as soon as I turn my dogs out in the back, they go right to the fence and fight with the other dogs through the chain link. Oddly, it is mostly Furley and Leeloo, but they get SO MAD. And that female pit gets really mad too. And then all my dogs go over there and join in and bark and get mad, and then sometimes they'll turn on each other and snap at one another in their frenzy. It is making them crazy. Now every time they go outside, instead of peeing they go straight to the fence, all fired up. I think it is adding to Nigel's frustration.

I have been told that this is REALLY bad for my dogs, and that they will become more aggressive as this continues. AHHH!!! I can't have that!!!! The fence is chain link, 5 feet high, and my yard is big so it would cost about a thousand bucks to put up a privacy fence, and I am renting so that isn't anoption anyway.

I don't know what else to do! Advice anyone? Or does anyone have any experiences with this or know anything about it? 
Thanks.

[BellaRoosMom]

I'm having the same trouble when I go to the dog park.  I usually lead my dogs over and they bark and put up thier hackles and everything.  But once the gate is open they are wimps until everyone has done the sniffing thing.  They aren't omega dogs by any means, they just try and act like alpha dogs from the start. 

I was told my a trainer that I am about to have help me with this problem, that it is just a high prey drive issue, and mostly is our issue as owners (not quite sure what that second part really means...my issue???.  Anyhow, she said that with the proper training (ie. the "leave it" command) we'll be able to overcome this issue. 

I am by far not an expert on this problem.  Though I do think that if you speak to a trainer, or even have a trainer help you with it, your problem may go away.  I understand that you cannot fix any of the other problems (the neighbors dogs nor the fence).  Good luck!

[kathryn]

I don't know if this will help but there are plastic slat pieces that slide into chain link fence to make it into a privacy fence.  You just weave them into the chain link.  I don't remember the name of the stuff but someone at a local fencing supply shop or feed store might be able to help you out with it. 

Kat

[Kermit]

I don't know if this will help but there are plastic slat pieces that slide into chain link fence to make it into a privacy fence.  You just weave them into the chain link.  I don't remember the name of the stuff but someone at a local fencing supply shop or feed store might be able to help you out with it. 

Kat

Oh yeah, I have seen that stuff. I will have to check into that for sure. Thanks, I was about to buy a million yards of burlap to cover the fance and that would have been pretty dern ugly!!!

Bellaroosmom, thanks for the tips. I bet if I kept on them they'd probably get better about it, but it will mean me out there with them every time caling them away from the fence. Leeloo will come to me if I call her away, but she is very tempted to go right back. Furley acts like he is deaf.
It's going to be a process I guess!

[nickerbokker]

i have the same problem.  of course we all know angus has issues to begin with...but he's been doing REALLY GOOD outside at ignoring the other dogs and stuff...but my next door neighbors two goldens lose slef control and come racing over the the fence snarling and barking and trying to break through...and that is when angus forgets he's trying to be good...and pulls me over to them.  that's when it gets nasty.  it takes every bit of energy i have to get him away from the fence, meanwhile, my neighbors do NOTHING...incl uding bringing their dogs in all day.  they are just left out to bark and snarl at everything...a nd they do.  i'm worried either angus or jake will take out the fence one of these days..and then i'm screwed. 

[GR8DAME]

Go to your local toy store (Toys R Us is the largest chain we have) and pick up a $20.00 Super-Soaker or Water-Cannon. Fill it with cold water, and take the dogs out. When the disagreements start, fire at will from a distance, with a good strong "Leave It!!". The cold water will effectively end hostilities for your crew, and enough will splat over to the pit bulls that it may inadvertantly startle some of the aggression out of them as well. Your nieghbors cannot complain too much, after all, you are training your dogs, can't help it if theirs get in the way. It is along the same lines as a squirt bottle, but higher powered for distance.
It may take a couple of days of being really persistant everytime they are out together, but eventually they get the idea that the fence fighting is not a fun thing to do.
Stella

[DakotaMom]

I wish I could offer some advise with this but we are dealing with the same thing. Our Lab taught Dakota that it was good to bark at anything that moved. Now that she is gone we are working on breaking the habit but then Dakota has also taught Jade the same thing.

We spent several hundred dollars on the privacy slats for our four foot fence and it did not help at all so I wouldn't waste my money on that.

[2dobies]

I have 6 ft wooden privacy fence around 2 sides and the back of my yard.  The 3rd side is 8ft chain link. When my dobes are in the yard, they can pretty much handle just a few exchanged barks at the neighbor's dog (a Sheltie that is inside most of the time) then it's over.  But there is a guy on a different street than me that walks 2 poodles and a shiz tzu together all the time, and he walks them past the chain link side of my yard. (My yard is adjacent to a little league ball diamond, hence the 8 ft chain link, and people walk their dogs there when it's not ball season) OMG--Darmok and one of the poodles have this intense dislike for each other and if there were ever a weak spot in the fence, I'm sure that Dar would rip that little fuzzball to shreds! The poodle has an attitude, and the owner even told me "he likes to start fights"...so I'm wondering why does he walk them right past my dogs when they are outside, then? Arrrgh! PEOPLE!

[brandon]

If you're in a hurry and on a budget, I'd go with the plastic weed barrier you get at home-depot, wal-mart,etc and clothes pins , it'd do fine in a pinch. 

Sorry you're having to deal with this  ;(