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Fence Running and Fence Aggression: Understanding and Stopping This Common Behaviour

Fence running—where dogs race along the fence line barking at neighbours’ dogs or passers-by—might start as harmless fun but can quickly escalate into serious behaviours like fence frustration, fence aggression, or even redirected aggression. Left unchecked, it can disrupt your home, strain relationships with neighbours, and put your dog at risk of injury or behavioural setbacks.

At Jordan Dog Training, we understand how challenging this behaviour can be. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the root causes of fence running and provide actionable steps to manage and eliminate it effectively.

Why Do Dogs Fence Run?

Fence running often stems from instinctual and behavioural triggers. Identifying these triggers is the first step to resolving the problem.

  • Territorial Instincts. Dogs are naturally territorial, and a fence amplifies their drive to protect their space. The sight or sound of another dog or passer-by can trigger a strong defensive response.
  • Barrier Frustration. When dogs cannot interact directly with what’s on the other side of the fence, frustration builds up. This manifests as barking, lunging, and obsessive running.
  • Boredom and Lack of Stimulation. A bored dog with insufficient mental or physical exercise often finds ways to entertain themselves, and fence running can become a self-rewarding outlet.
  • Adrenaline and Habit Formation. The excitement and adrenaline produced by fence running can feel rewarding to a dog. Over time, the behaviour becomes habitual, even when triggers are minor or absent.
  • Social Facilitation. When neighbouring dogs engage in similar behaviours, they fuel each other’s reactions, escalating the problem. Interestingly, many dogs that react aggressively through a fence are friendly when introduced without the barrier.
  • Stress or Anxiety. Fence running can also stem from underlying stress or anxiety, such as separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, or a lack of confidence.

Why You Should Address Fence Running

While it may start as manageable, fence running can lead to serious issues:

  • Fence Aggression: Over time, excitement can turn into aggression, with barking, lunging, growling, and snapping becoming the norm.
  • Redirected Aggression: Overstimulated dogs may redirect frustration onto family members or other pets.
  • Physical Risks: Continuous running or lunging at the fence can cause injuries or lead to escape attempts, putting your dog at risk.
  • Neighbour Frustration: Persistent barking and reactive displays can strain relationships with neighbours, potentially leading to complaints or legal issues.

A Comprehensive Programme to Stop Fence Running

Step 1: Manage the Environment

Environmental management is key to reducing triggers and preventing setbacks, especially when you’re not home.

  • Block Visual Access: Use temporary barriers such as tarps, bamboo rolls, or landscaping to block your dog’s view of neighbouring dogs or passers-by.Caution: Blocking visibility doesn’t work for every dog and may increase frustration. Test temporary solutions first before committing to permanent changes.
  • Create a Buffer Zone: Set up an interior fence or plant shrubs a few metres from the main fence to prevent direct access to the fence line.
  • Enrichment When You’re Away: Provide interactive toys, puzzle feeders, or long-lasting chews to keep your dog mentally engaged.Limit unsupervised access to the yard if triggers are present.
  • Monitor with Technology: Install a pet camera to observe your dog when you’re away. Identifying triggers can help you adjust your strategy.

Step 2: Work with Your Neighbours

Collaboration with your neighbours is one of the most effective strategies to address fence running, especially when their dog is part of the problem. Not only is this behaviour disruptive to you, but it’s likely frustrating for your neighbours as well. In many cases, dogs that react aggressively through a fence become best friends when introduced without the barrier.

Daily Walks Together

Work with your neighbour to take all dogs on daily walks together, with one handler per dog. Here’s how to do it:

  • Build Familiarity Outside of Their Territory: Walking together helps the dogs see each other as part of the same “team” in a neutral setting, reducing territorial behaviour.
  • Start on Neutral Ground: Meet on the street, ensuring each dog is safe and secure on a lead.
  • Maintain Distance Initially: Begin with the dogs far enough apart that they don’t react negatively to each other. Safety is the priority at this stage.
  • Gradually Decrease Distance: Over the coming days, bring the dogs closer together during walks as they become more comfortable in each other’s presence.
  • Take it Slow: Patience is key. Do not rush the process—it takes as long as it takes. Rushing could lead to setbacks or unsafe situations.

Progression Over Days

As the dogs grow more comfortable, increase the complexity of their interactions:

  • Group Yard Visits / Normalise Each Other’s Presence: This process helps the dogs understand that the neighbour’s dog is next door but that interacting with their guardian is more fun and interesting.
  • Continue Daily Walks: Continue daily walks, gradually bringing the dogs closer together as they learn to remain calm in each other’s presence.
  • Once the dogs are consistently calm during walks: at the end of the walk Enter One Yard as a Group: After the walk, bring both dogs into one yard. Walk them around while keeping them focused on you.
  • Exit Together and Switch Yards: Leave the first yard as a group and enter the second yard as a group. Walk them around while maintaining their focus.
  • Return to Individual Yards: Finally, exit the second yard together and then individually return the dogs to their respective yards. Keep them engaged with you in the yard during this process to prevent any reactive behaviour near the fence.

Post-Walk Play after practicing and getting positive results with the above

Once they can do the above safely and comfortably when the walk is complete, bring the dogs into one yard for supervised playtime:

Keep it Safe and Controlled: Start with the dogs far enough apart that they remain calm. If necessary, keep them on leads for safety.

  • Engage Their Attention: Focus their energy on fun activities like toys or training, making interactions with you more rewarding than fixating on each other.
  • Repeat with Rotations: Over time, alternate which yard the dogs play in to further normalise their presence in each other’s space.

By collaborating with your neighbours and following these steps, you can desensitise the dogs to each other, build positive associations, and reduce the likelihood of fence running and aggression.

Step 3: Train to Redirect Behaviour

Training helps redirect your dog’s focus and teach them calmer responses to triggers.

  • Impulse Control: Teach commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “look at me.”
  • Counter-Conditioning and Desensitisation: Gradually expose your dog to triggers, starting at a distance where they remain calm, and pair the trigger with rewards to change their emotional response.
  • Recall Training: Build a strong recall command to reliably call your dog away from the fence.

Step 4: Review Diet and Health

A balanced diet and good health are essential to managing behaviour.

  • Balanced Nutrition: Consult your vet to ensure your dog’s diet meets their energy needs and doesn’t fuel hyperactivity.
  • Health Check: Speak with your vet about potential underlying health or anxiety issues.

Step 5: Patience, Consistency, and Professional Help

Behavioural change takes time, consistency, and sometimes professional guidance. Contact Jordan Dog Training for expert advice and tailored plans.

Final Thoughts

Fence running can be disruptive and dangerous, but with the right strategies, collaboration, and consistency, you can transform this behaviour. At Jordan Dog Training, we’re here to help you and your dog succeed.

Contact us today for support tailored to your dog’s needs!

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Justin Jordan Trainer

Justin Jordan

Master Trainer

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Phone (07) 3264 8180      Mobile: 0422 600 774       Email: justin@jordandogtraining.com.au