Bonnie is 16 months now, still a bouncy handful, but much better inside the home, we are having a much better time together. But we have a garden problem. Our house is on a steep hill and the garden goes down from the back of the house, where is difficult to see her from the back door, especially in the dark mornings. Our fence on the left hand side is strong and we have tall lilac growing so Bonnie can’t see the neighbours and leaves them alone, but, on the right hand side the neighbour has responsibility for the fence, it’s just a 3ft fence that she can see through, and demands attention from the neighbour. He likes her, and will talk to her, but now she s started barking when she can see through to other gardens because their fences aren’t solid. My neighbour sees no reason to replace the fence for something more solid, and leans over to fuss her. Which I’m pleased he likes her obviously, but it’s encouraging this barking behaviour, she’s doing it first thing in the morning at 6.30! I don’t want to fall out with the neighbour, I’m pleased they get on, but this early morning barking is going to start getting on other neighbours nerves. So we either pay for a solid fence ourselves, which might offend the neighbour by putting it up, or I need a training solution, bearing in mind, first thing in the morning in the dark down in the bottom of the garden. She’s watching out for any movement from anyone now, it’s becoming a thing.
Since you're on good terms with the neighbor maybe you talk to him. Just explain the situation about the barking and if he would have an issue with you putting a solid fence on your side.
Yes I’m thinking that might ge the best idea, because it proves from the other side of the garden, if she can’t see them , she’s not bothered. Thank you
In the meantime, any tips on how to deal with her barking at the end of the garden in the dark. I’ve tried calling her to stop, calling “come”, but she’s not really listening. Any ideas, until we build a bigger fence?
You could make a game of it. This is something I learned in the book "Train Your Dog Like A Pro by Jean Donaldson. Instead of saying the command come you would use a silly phrase that your dog has never heard before. First you have to teach what it means. You can practice in the house. For Lincoln I use Bidda Bidda Bidda Bidda Bidda. Say it in a silly happy voice. To practice in the house. Have like 5 handfuls of smelly treats handy, wait till your dog is not looking at you, say the phrase and back away, when she gets to you hold her collar at same time drop the treats on the floor and happily praise her. Do this 5 times in a row. Just keep practicing every day till you think you're ready to try it outside.I P.s you should get that book. It's awesome.
Omg that’s amazing, yes brilliant idea, thank you for this , great idea, I’m going to get to work on that straightaway
