Fence-fighting with another dog or person in the backyard is frustration-based experience. If your dog is barking at people or dogs in the adjoining yards or spaces, you will have some hard work for a few weeks that will pay off for a lifetime.
If you've known me for more than five minutes, you'll know that management and prevention are everything here...as usual...so we'll tackle that first:
- go out with your dog every time and have them on leash to prevent them from practicing the unwanted behaviour
- proper fencing that blocks the view of the other dog
- planting dense evergreen bushes along the fence-line
- adding burlap to the fencing
Next, we have to teach our dogs what we actually want them to do:
- train a solid recall so that they come when called
- play the "Look at That" game when the other dog is out
- use a "Find it" food scatter to break the magnetic pull momentarily and give you time to help them get away
Lastly, we can use a Time-Out system if need be:
Simply leave a long training line (30ft-50ft) at the back door and attach it every time they go out. Here is the order of events:
- The dog barks
- You say "that's enough"
- The dog continues barking
- You say "too bad"
- You swiftly but gently reel the dog in and bring them inside
- They have lost their backyard privileges until next time
- Repeat consistently for 3 weeks and as necessary
Check out the Quick Win on Backyard Behaviours for a more in-depth look at how to train your dog to be a backyard pro!