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Some dog owners think a doggie peephole could be a gift to their dog while others just don’t want the ugly hole in their fence. Are they good or bad for dogs? What’s the real story?

Are peepholes in fences for dogs a good idea?

Short answer: No
Long answer: It all boils down to reactivity and distance. Reactivity is an extremely common behavior issue in dogs that results when a dog is overly aroused, fearful or frustrated when looking at a trigger through a fence. The two most common dog triggers are unfamiliar dogs and humans.

“…this barking thing really works and I feel better! I’m going to do this forever!”

To cope with this reactivity, about 90% of dogs use aggressive barking to drive away the trigger (i.e., unfamiliar dog or human). Increasing the distance from the trigger calms most dogs and quickly reduces their arousal, fear and frustration.

The Dog Reactivity Problem

The problem is that this aggressive barking behavior is self-reinforcing or self-rewarding for the barking dog. When a dog barks at a trigger walking by the fence, what always happens? The dog or human that is causing the dog to bark always continues on down the street and increases the distance from the dog. The barking dog thinks, “My barking caused that problematic trigger to move away; this barking thing really works and I feel better! I’m going to do this forever!”

Of course, we all know that the dog’s barking had little to do with the trigger moving away, but the dog doesn’t know that.

The Dog Reactivity Solution

The solution is to not allow dogs to peek through holes in fences. A good best practice is to have dog fences (especially in the back lawn) that dogs can’t see through. Not only should you not have peepholes, but any holes or gaps between slats need to be addressed. All dogs need is the tiniest slit between wood boards to get them barking at triggers.

Chain link and wrought iron fences are the biggest offenders here. The newer style of wood fences with horizontal wood slats can be a problem too.

Animal Service and Rescue Organizations Know This

Don’t believe me? Visit any municipal animal control service facility or animal rescue facility and you will find that all kennels, cages and crates are visually separated from one another. No dog has a line-of-sight view to other dogs in the facility. There is a reason they do this.

This Can Work Fast to Reduce Dog Reactivity

Dog behavior modification can take weeks and months to see significant results. However, this is different; this kind of reactive behavior can show improvement rather quickly when the dog’s line-of-sight is removed from the triggers. Most owners report that reducing their dog’s view of the world almost immediately reduces barking behavior.