Fence jumping maniac dog?

Question

We have a very large 2 year old mutt with exceptional jumping skills. Since we adopted him as an adult, he requires a lot of training still, though we work with him constantly. He's a sweet-natured dog but totallly disregards all obedience when it comes to his favorite obsession - fence jumping. We just moved into a house that we picked in part because of its large yard with 12-foot privacy fence all around. It took him a couple of weeks and at first he was fine, but now that he's figured out how to scale it, he tries it every time. He does not respond to any kind of command but goes right for it even when you're standing right next to him.

Our options (as we see it) at this point are: (1) strangle him (just kidding); (2) invisible fences/training collars; (3) finding a way to reinforce the fence at the top to create a 90-degree angle.

Problem: This dog will just get used to a shock and jump anyway, I think, and we don't want to permanently alter the fence (we rent).

Suggestions?

He needs to be able to run so we haven't tried the anti-jump harness yet and any kind of tie or "chain" has the same problem - he thinks it's a leash and won't move much or do his business while he's on it. Ideally I just want him to get the escaping notion out of his head altogether.
Note: This dog has no concept that jumping the fence is bad. We've tried since Day One but he never seems to understand why we're disciplining him or what we're telling him "NO" about. He's not left alone outside and we have another dog, so I don't think he's bored (he jumps when we're right there with him), he just likes escaping for its own sake - he always comes right up to be caught after he does it.

Thanks!

Correction: 6 foot+ privacy fence.

He's neutered, not into digging and is perfectly aware of the pack structure, he just doesn't care when it comes to the fence and discipline is not effective (no thought of consequences).
He's not a work dog - doesn't seek tasks or being busy - not prone to boredom, he's totally content in the house. Only into toys in the house, never outside, doesn't get the concept of balls or outside toys at all.
Hosing: too cold to spray him now.
Loud noises don't startle him (tried that).
Loves food but not motivated by it. Loves attention but has limited responsiveness to positive or negative reinforcement.
In short, the dog has no clue that jumping the fence is something he's not supposed to do (not b/c we haven't reinforced this daily - he just plain does not get why this could be a bad thing).

Answer 1

you need a behaviorist trainer... one on one sessions..some even come right to your home.. since thats where the problem is.. i would look one up soon.....i think thats about our ony hope unless you make a tottally enclosed/with a top kennel..good luck..smile

i dont think the shock collars are gonna work for more than a day or so..invisable fences are no help if he is that determined to get out..he will deal with the shock and go right thru it...only other thing I can think of is a run from one tree to another??

EDIT: I would definately call some trainers in your area..ask specific questions and tell them specific details of your problems.. the ones you want will come to your home... I think thats about your only option as of now...sorry :(
GOOD LUCK!!!!! smile

Answer 2

Try getting a really long lead so he can run across the yard and jump but will not be able to exeed the length of the run. It's the kind that looks like a clothsline and has the pullly. So he can race back and forth with no pulling at his neck. We tried the static collar on our dog and yes, they sometimes ignore it if they are stubborn enough. The run works great w/ our dog. It gives her the feeling of freedom with out being able to run off or jump any fences. They do have various sizes to choose from. And very easy to install. I hope this helps, it's worth a try...

Answer 3

you can put up a break away fence at the top of the exsisting fence. something like chicken wire fencing. do not fasten it down to good so that when your dog reaches the top and gets into the chicken wire be will fall back into his yard. You will need to keep fixing the fence but eventually you will stop him from this.

I have had many, many dogs and if I wasn't fixing for digging I was fixing for jumpers. Rescued dogs know that this was not home and would alway try to escape. I foster bunches of dogs and always had somewhat of a pack at all times.

One thing that will tame a wonderer is to be spayed or neutered if that hasn't already been done.

I got to be a good fence fixer.

Answer 4

I assume he must climb it rather than jump it. Run a hot wire around the top of the fence. My boyfriend's dog is an escaping fiend, including breaking windows if he wants out. He would dig under the fence and one of my dogs would run off with him. I ran an electric fence around the bottom of the existing fence, which only cost about $30 and took me a couple of hours. We rent too so don't want to re-fence someone else's house. We haven't had an escape since. You can get the kits for it from most farm stores, and on Ebay.

Unlike the invisible fence, a wire at the top will only bother the dog if he is doing something he shouldn't, rather than getting too close to the fence.

Answer 5

Try buying an extended leash...about 6-8 ft. long, and walk the perimeter of the yard with your dog. If the dog tried scaling the fence, say "no!" with force, and tug the leash firmly (I would first buy a choke collar so it effects the dog). If you need any tips, I would do what I do: watch the Dog Whisperer on the national geographic channel. Ceasar Milan is great!! Or, you could do what my aunt in North Carolina did, buy some barbed wire to attach to the top of the fence so the dog will realize it hurts to jump on the fence.

Hopefully your fence-climbing dog dilema works out!!

Answer 6

Sounds like you have the makings for a great Agility dog! You might consider training for Agility in order to help channel his urge to jump things. Provide some "proper" doggie jumps in your back yard (easy to make our of pvc pipe). This will allow him to get out that urge to jump things, but maybe divert his attention away from your fence.

Answer 7

The trouble with a fast dog who likes to escape is that it's almost impossible to control the consequences of that behavior. I think you'd want to be putting that dog on a long line, so that he can have his exercise, but that exercise should be all about recalling that dog to you. Don't feed your dog before you take him out there - you and your partner can have pocketfuls of kibble and reinforce him for playing _with you_. Do not let him have any toys - keep them in your hand and play tug, if he likes that game. But right now, no throwing toys. Do not let him go near that fence! You need to create value for interacting with you, and if he tries to go off (and I'd bet money the first few times that he will try this) you have to be ready to stop him.
Get a copy of Leslie Nelson's "Really Reliable Recall" DVD. She will recommend that you work on his recall in more boring places, where he won't be tempted to scale a fence, etc. Work on that recall and always pay your dog for working with you.
Having a great recall with your dog means that you will be able to move on to more exciting stuff. Mutts with great jumping ability tend to do things like win national agility championships and set records for flyball, etc. But that can't be done unless your dog wants to be with you.

***** edit - OK, I get that you dog is not into food right now, but if he skips a meal before training and then you work in short sessions with totally amazing treats, you'll have stacked the deck in your favor for the food. Building toy drive is harder, and I recommend a coach/trainer for that. Building food drive is easier and you need to figure out how to motivate your dog to work with you, and not run away.

Answer 8

He may need to be on a tie-out till he figures out he has to stay in the yard. He won't like it, but you won't have to worry about him getting away.

Or booby trap the area at the bottom of the fence. Growing up we had dogs that loved to dig at the bottom of the fence to get under it. My dad put chicken wire all around the yard and the foot of the fence. The dogs couldn't dig through that.

Answer 9

One possible solution is a shake can. Take an empty soda can, put ten pennies in it, and tape it securely shut. When the dog perfoms an undesirable behavior, hold the can out of the dog's site and shake it. Do not let the dog see the can or associate it with you. The noise will often startle a dog and he will associate it with the behavior. If this alone does not work, you can throw the can near the dog for greater effect. In severe cases you can throw the can lightly at the dog's rump (Bear in mind the dog's size, age, health, and general temperment before doing this!). The object is to startle the dog, not destroy it! It helps to make several of the shake cans and keep them handy in any areas the dog is allowed. Do not let the dog see you throw the can under any circumstances! It is the behavior, not your relationship with the dog or the behavior in front of you, that we want to change.

Answer 10

Try to tire him out with long walks or runs. If he's exhausted he won't be as anxious to jump.
Also, if you ever catch him in the act of preparing to jump and he doesn't because you said no!, praise the heck out of him and give him a treat. I am a big believer in positive reinforcement. It's always tougher with an older dog set in his ways.