Dogs fighting through a fence can turn into one of the biggest neighborhood headaches. There's nothing like moving into your dream home only to be constantly bothered by endless noise from fighting through the fence between your dog and your neighbor's.

No one wants their pets to be at odds with neighboring pups, yet this kind of fighting can be very common. Here are a few ways to understand what's happening, tips to curb the behavior and ideas to find some peace with your neighbor

What Is Dog Fence Fighting?

Not sure what's happening when you see two dogs fighting through a fence? Are you worried that your or your neighbor's pet has suddenly become aggressive? The good news is that fence fighting has more to do with being territorial than it does with being aggressive.

Often times, a dog's territorial behavior stems from fear or anticipation of a possible threat. In other words, by barking at the dog next door, your dog is asserting their claim over your property. However, they're also feeling anxious that the neighboring dog is attempting to come over into their territory, and this is where it's important to watch out for aggression.

If this situation goes unresolved, one or both of the dogs may become aggressive if they are able to escape past their own territorial lines.

Is Fence Fighting the Same as Playing?

If your dog seems to get along with your neighbor's pet when they're together, you might assume that fence barking is another form of play.

Most likely, it's not. Some dogs may yip or whine a bit if they want to get over the boundary to play with their furry best friend, but there is a significant difference between whining to play and barking to protect one's territory.

Dog in yard barks through chain link fence.

Curbing Dog Fence Fighting For Good

"Luckily for most owners, 'fence wars' are just habits that can be broken or even prevented through proper training," says Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer, in an article for the American Kennel Club.

Think about the dog obedience training you did with your pet. There are many useful commands that can help during a fence battle. For example, "sit" and "stay" can help if you see your dog start to stalk off to the fence to fight. If you notice your neighbor's dog come outside while your own dog is walking the perimeter of your property, call him back with the "come" or "heel" command.

The ASPCA suggests that "This high level of motivation [to protect their space] means that when territorial barking, your dog might ignore unpleasant or punishing responses from you, such as scolding or yelling."

So, what would motivate your dog? Consider different activities, such as going for a walk away from your house, fetching a ball or playing in a dog obstacle course. Your dog may also respond well if you lead with treats for good behavior.

Approach Your Neighbor For Help

If listening to dogs fighting through a fence is the soundtrack to your day, keep in mind that you don't have to handle this problem alone, even if your dog seems to be the instigator. Talk to your neighbor about ways you can work together to curb your pets' behaviors.

This might be as simple as altering the pets' outdoor schedules so your dogs aren't spending the same time outside every day. Or, you may decide to socialize your dogs as much as possible to see if they calm their fence fighting once they're more comfortable together. For more serious dog fence fighting, you and your neighbor may want to split the cost of hiring a dog trainer who can work with both pets together at the territory lines. You may also have to come to a resolution that one or both of you puts an interior barrier in your yard to keep your dogs from getting so close to one another or putting them on a leash or dog run when you let your dog outside.

Taking action is especially important if you notice damage to the fence because of this behavior. By damaging the fence, one or both of the dogs are taking their aggression up a notch. The damage to the property suggests that the pets may be attempting an escape to attack the other animal, or as they may think of it, protect their space.

Erin Ollila Erin Ollila

Erin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. Her writing can be found all over the internet and in print, and includes interviews, ghostwriting, blog posts, and creative nonfiction. Erin is a geek for SEO and all things social media. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Reach out to her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com.

Related articles

Washing Your Dog from Ear to Paw: Eight Supplies to Make It Easy

Use this dog washing supply checklist to help you get all the materials needed, making bathing your dog at home a fun and easy experience.

Distemper in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Learn important information pet parents should know about distemper in dogs, including symptoms, how it's diagnosed, treatment options & how to prevent it.

Hypothyroidism in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Learn everything you need to know about hypothyroidism in dogs, including risk factors, signs of the disease and how it gets diagnosed & treated.

Getting Rid of Your Dog's Ear Mites

Ear mites in dogs can cause your pup irritation & pain. If you think his ear scratching might mean he has mites, learn what to do for treatment.

Chondrodystrophic Dog Breeds: All About Short-Legged Dogs

All About Chondrodystrophic (Short Legged) Dog Breeds

Taking your dog to the vet

Trips to the vet can be a challenge for dog owners. Read these tips to have a better vet visit for your dog, including transporting the dog with a carrier.

Dominant Paws: Is Your Dog a Righty or Lefty?

Learn if dogs have dominant paws like humans have dominant hands, and discover how you can determine if your dog has a paw preference.

Dog Traits & Personalities for the Seven Breed Classes

Discover how breeds influence dog personalities and learn which traits you'll likely find in each of the seven main dog breeds.

How to Prevent and Treat Fleas on Dogs

Learn how to protect your dog from fleas, as well as how to provide your dog with the proper treatment if you notice they have been infested.

What Happens When My Dog is in Heat?

Understand what it means for your female dog to be in heat and what you can do to provide her with the best care.

Is My Dog Sick? How Can I Tell?

If your dog is behaving strangely and you suspect something is wrong, learn some common behaviors they may be exhibiting to show they're not feeling well.

Managing Kidney Failure in Dogs

Learn from a Veterinarian: All about kidney & renal failure in dogs, from what symptoms are for both acute & chronic conditions, to treatment & management.

Dog Dry Mouth: How Xerostomia Affects Your Dog

Discover commom causes and treatment of dog dry mouth or xerostomia to help your pup. Learn how absence of saliva may indicate severe underlying health issues.

Methods for Stopping Your Puppy's Aggressive Behavior

Learn why your new puppy might show signs of aggression & biting, as well as how you can train to him to stop this behavior.

How to Use Dog Diapers

Learn all about the different types of dog diapers, how to use them and why it might be beneficial for pups that are getting older to wear one.

How to Make Vet Visits Less Scary for Your Dog

Is your dog scared of vet appointments? Learn tips for calming his anxiety and taking the stress out of his trip to the veterinarian.

Caring for Your Deaf Dog: Communication and Safety Tips

A deaf dog may now live a quieter life, but he's still the active, loving pup you once knew! Discover how to care for and communicate with your dog.

Treating a Torn ACL/CCL in Dogs: TPLO Surgery & More

Learn about torn CCL injuries in dogs (equivalent to a torn ACL in humans), including risk factors, how they are diagnosed and how TPLO surgery can help.

Understanding Blastomycosis in Dogs

Learn important information on blastomycosis in dogs, including how its transmitted, common symptoms, treatment options & geographic considerations.

How to Celebrate Your Dog's Birthday in Style

Thinking about hosting a dog birthday party? Read on to discover how to celebrate your dog's birthday with festivities that'll be the talk of the dog park.