Neighbors Dog is Digging Into My Yard!

[MgnRose]

Hi everyone! I am having an issue with my neighbors dog & I was hoping for some ideas/ feedback/ information if anyone has dealt with this issue before.

My neighbors dog will not stop digging at the fence line and into my yard. He is a German Shepherd/ Husky who can fit it entire head and front limbs under the chain link fence. He is left outside all day, without supervision or toys (I have tossed him over quite a few balls and sticks because I feel sorry for the guy) and he has decided that trying to catch my chickens is how he entertains himself.

I have tried talking to my neighbors about it and they deflect responsibly, have no solutions, and are just generally hostile about the situation. So no help there!

What are steps I can take to protect my chickens? We are currently waiting on a contractor to build a privacy fence, but I don’t know that this will deter him in the long term. So- any ideas of how to protect them in the meantime? We have filled the holes in our side, buried rocks/ blocked the fence he had bent, put up particle board as a visual barrier in strategic spots already. I maintain it daily as he finds a way to move the rocks (they’re so big!! How does he do that?). I am looking for something more permanent on my end, that isn’t going to cost us an arm & a leg, and that I don’t need to maintain daily.

Any ideas are so very appreciated. I just want my chickens to be safe, thank you

 

[RojoMarz]

Ummm. Is there a male in your household? If so, give them lots and lots of beverage of choice, then instruct them that they can't use the bathroom, instead they have to "mark" all around the fence perimeter. Worked for us, as the neighbors dog didn't like the new unknown male scent.

 

[RojoMarz]

What about spraying the dog with a water hose, as he is misbehaving?

 

[black_cat]

Ummm. Is there a male in your household? If so, give them lots and lots of beverage of choice, then instruct them that they can't use the bathroom, instead they have to "mark" all around the fence perimeter. Worked for us, as the neighbors dog didn't like the new unknown male scent.

I popped in to look at the thread and can't tell if you're serious or not XD

 

[NatJ]

Maybe leave your chickens shut in for the day, let the dog dig under, and call Animal Control? Or, if the dog is friendly, catch the dog and take it to the Animal Shelter yourself.

 

[black_cat]

What about spraying the dog with a water hose, as he is misbehaving?

A water gun might also work, but this would require some 'training' where you would have to be pretty on top of it for the first few days.

 

[RobertaD1]

Electric fence at the bottom of the chain link.... get one graded for cattle. Dont put it directly on the fence.... a few inches on your side. He will quit when he hits that a couple times. Unless you want to lake the time to train him.... and it CAN be done from the other side of the fence.
The electric fence wont hurt him... but it WILL get his attention.

 

[RobertaD1]

German Shepard's are smart... they CAN learn. When he hits the fence, tell him NO... Sternly... he will understand. After about 2 maybe 3 times of the zap... he hears NO, he WILL stop.

 

[RojoMarz]

I popped in to look at the thread and can't tell if you're serious or not XD

Serious, but with humor.

 

[Howard E]

Electric fence at the bottom of the chain link.... get one graded for cattle. Dont put it directly on the fence.... a few inches on your side. He will quit when he hits that a couple times. Unless you want to lake the time to train him.... and it CAN be done from the other side of the fence.
The electric fence wont hurt him... but it WILL get his attention.

Couple times? More like once..........

After that, you probably couldn't make him go near it.