My Dog is Obsessed with My Neighbors Dog

Question
Dear Barb,
My one year old neutered male lab/pit bull mix is obsessed with my neighbor's dog (these neighbor's live across the fence from me, not to the left or right). Every time their dog (this dog is a boxer)is outside my dog whines and cries to get outside. If my dog is already outside he crouches down as if he's stalking the neighbor's dog. Then he sprints to the fence and trots and paces next to it. The neighbor's dog doesn't pay attention to my dog. He never eggs the pacing on or does anything to make my dog start pacing. I now have no grass by the fence, only dirt. I'm okay with my dog running along the fence with the neighbor's dog but I don't like my dog pacing the fence just because the other dog is outside. I've tried keeping my dog inside but he jumps up on the windows and doors trying to get outside. We end up having to put him in his crate to calm him down. Most of the time I walk my dog around on the leash in the backyard until he calms down enough to not pace. It doesn't always work and I don't think it's solving the problem. It's worse when the neighbors are outside with their dog, my dog runs along the fence instead of trots. The neighbor's that live diagonal of me have a dog (this dog is an Australian Shepherd Dog). The Boxer sometimes runs along the fence with that dog. That sends my dog over the edge and he runs and barks at them even though they aren't paying attention to him. I did receive advice from another trainer who said to use clicker training to redirect my dog's attention to me when he's pacing. I think that will work pretty well but if it doesn't do you have any other solutions that might work?

Answer
Hi Samantha.  The first thing I'll recommend is management. Block visual access if possible.  It's hard without seeing the way your house is set up to offer specific recommendations.  Is there a way to keep the dog out of the room that faces the fence? Baby gates? Any thoughts on putting up a privacy fence back there?

Second, exercise your dog off your property.  Expand his horizons by walking your neighborhood daily.  Let him sniff and explore and be mentally stimulated and physically exercised by that activity with you.  If he tends to pull on leash (and most pibbles tend to), check out some good harnesses here:  www.petexpertise.com/barbgadola.  When your dog has enough physical exercise and mental stimulation, they tend to be less anxious at home and less "worried" about what's going on outside.

Finally, watch this video:  http://www.canisfilmfestival.com/11_final_12.html.  You'll have to first gain some basic knowledge of clicker training (both you and the dog).  Read some articles here:  www.clickertraining.com or get this easy-to-follow book:  Clicking with Your Dog by Peggy Tillman.  Once you have a grasp of the concept and your dog understands that click=treat, you can try the technique shown in the video.  I've used this with multiple dogs with the same issue as yours, and it works very well.

Please let me know if you have questions.  If you'd like me to recommend a trainer in your area, tell me what part of Missouri you are in.  I'll be happy to clarify anything that you need further explanation on, just do a follow up question.  Good luck!