how do I keep this dog out?

[jennifer0224]

Hi, i have 4 5-week old chicks in the coop / fenced in run. I have a dog that i only let out back if the birds are locked in the coop or if i can supervise him. My problem is my neighbor's 6 month old lab. I live in the suburbs so our lots are pretty close. The lab has dug under the fence and gotten into our yArd. I walked her home and told the neighbors that we have chickens and that we definitely do not want their dog in our yard. The dog has started digging again and the neighbors have not done a thing. What can i do, on my end, to keep a dog out of my yard?

We only share about 10 feet of fence with this neighbor. If i bury hardware cloth i assume it wont do much good unless i can bury it in their yard, right? I cannot place any heavy objects in front of this fence because we have a steep slope right there.

Thanks for any ideas you can share!

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Oh, man. That really blows. My parents had to put in a 2 foot cement trench for this same reason, but it so shouldn't fall on you to have to contain their dog. I'd call Animal Control and ask them for advice or to for them to have a word with your neighbor.

 

[jennifer0224]

I did think about animal control, and it may come to that. With the cement trench, did they just dig 2 feet under the fence and fill it with a bag of concrete? that may be an option since we only share 10 feet of fence with them. Though it would definitely be easier for them to do it since they dont have the slope we have.

It frustrates me that they wont take responsibility for this, but i figure i'd rather handle it than chance losing a chicken while waiting for them to respond.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Yes. Dad dug a 2' deep trench and filled it with cement. You could also try running a hot wire along the bottom of the fence so when the dog digs through it gets shocked when it tries to come through. That might teach it not to dig and would be less work than digging a trench. But I would totally make it clear to the neighbors that if their dog comes over again you'll have to call animal control and if it does any damage, the police and homeowner's insurance will be involved. I'm a total dog person, but I 100% believe it's the responsibility of the owner to contain their pet.

 

[jennifer0224]

Yes, i will have to round up the kids this evening and go over there again to talk.

The hot wire is also a good idea. I too am a dog person, and dont blame this dog, it is a 6 month old high energy breed who is cooped up by herself all day. I'll try talking to them once more but will probably still have to take matters into our own hands.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Best of luck! Neighbors can be great and neighbors can be H E L L.

 

[centrarchid]

Catch dog next time it visits then turn it in to animal control for quick and abrasive approach. Consider poultry netting as can be effective against more than current dog.

 

[Beer can]

If it makes it through and the neighbors don't do anything about it shoot it
With a paintball gun, neighbors might be more likely to put a end to the trespassing. It shouldn't be your responsibility and $ to keep the dog out.

 

[centrarchid]

Owner of that does is responsible for that dog. Chicken owner is responsible for all other dogs where owner not known or control lost. Chicken owner responsible if not willing to loose more birds just to prove a point.

 

[mermaids]

I consider it a good idea to preemptively call animal control or humane society before you suffer a loss. You can tell the owners you're contacting them too. It's their responsibility to keep their dog on their property and out of yours, and these orgs will agree. They genuinely want to educate owners how to properly care for, which includes contain, their animals and only take punitive action when absolutely necessary. Calling them doesn't have to be a nasty gesture, it can be educational and solution-orientated.
I'm trying to picture what this slope looks like if you can't fill the dug out gap with stones? But the dog will just start a new tunnel and it should be her owners' doing it anyway. An electric wire around your coop and run would be a good precaution against other predators too--stray dog from elsewhere, your dog, wildlife. Coyotes are everywhere nowadays, even 'burbs with heavy human presence. I'm starting to wonder if I want to do that myself, before I lose a bird.