Fence- running

[Shamas mom]

Well, the ground is frozen still, but I used some patio furnature to support it. Shamas watched sadly as I removed part of his yard yesterday after work.

There's another new dog next door- rottie/Border collie mix. I'd like the two of them to meet and greet at Timmies, and perhaps get along. That won't happen if he menaces her through the fence.

So I got a roll of plastic fencing, and stakes to hold it up once the ground thaws...and went to work blocking off the yard from the halfway point, to the pole, and over to the fence 6 feet past where their yard ends. I connected the rolled fencing to a playpen/gate system, so we can get in and out of the area. Now he can't run the property line.

When the weather warms, I plan to flatten the area and build a patio so we have a dog-free zone for visitors. Probably put the BBq in there, so he's not begging or getting underfoot when we cook. Plant some Cosmos along the "fence", to soften the look.

 

[Shamas mom]

I'm absolutely thrilled with Shamas right now. the dogs next door are out, and he's not fallen apart. Even though he went out for a minute at the same time as them.

I've been leaving my inside door open, and the storm door shut, to desensitise him to the idea of them coming in and out of their yard. And I built a fence to keep him 6-15foot from their yard at all times

I think he's starting to get that they're not coming in his space

I stood there chatting over the fence with the new neighbor while Shamas grumbled and chuffed beside me on a leash(having asked to come out), but he didn't really tense up until they play barked, and he took my offer to go inside.

 

[Oberon]

Wow, that’s great!!

 

[Shamas mom]

It helps that the new dogs next door don't scream at the top of their chihuaha lungs the second their dor opens lol! Tiko used to start up the second he was let out to pee, and Shamas went mad inside the house. But in fairness, Shamas started it.

I'm hoping to get off to a better start with this pair

 

[Jacqui-S]

Fabulous progress, really is

 

[Charlie]

I am so pleased for you. Really well done. xx Shamas you are excellent. xx

 

[Shamas mom]

Oh my! This dog mom is very happy for the fenced area at the moment. we have a possum visiting our yard. Shamas saw him, and cautiously looked, then went to the bathroom. Came in when called, keeping me between him and the evil rat-thing.

It was easily 25lbs. At least as big as Matt-cat.

The possum itself made no move, merely watching cautiously as Shamas and I gave it the wary eye. Thank goodness for fences! I'd have not liked to have seen what damage those 1 inch claws could do to Shamas!

 

[Oberon]

What?? 25 lbs?? I thought opossums were little, like a small guinea pig. Jeepers.

Good boy, Shamas!

 

[Shamas mom]

This thing is as big as Matt. it's not shown any signs of aggression, but I'm still glad for the fence.

Apparently they eat bugs, as well as garbage. and don't den. the just sleep where there's shelter. Which explains why he likes the place of mulch-- there are centepedes in the mulch.

So we need to get materials to block off the porch, in case that's where it's living. Aside from our porch, it could very well be living in our neighbor's woodpile. In which case, they probably have a live trap set. The neighbor's woodpile is where our black cat was born. They get random wildlife living there

I'll also put out Garlic around the area of the porch- they're said to dislike the smell enough to move away. Jarred garlic seems like a good option for that goal. Meant to get it at work last night but forgot. we sell whopping great 1kg jars- that aughtta sufficiently stink up the area!(probably make my neighbors complain too lol. Maybe not that much )

Sidewalk salt under the porch(not pet safe) might also help as a deterrent.

we've learned that it dislikes light, so when we take out the garbage, we just turn on a flashlight and it retreats.

Shamas seems to not be opposed to this thing using the territory between him and the other dogs. Interesting.