Dog Proof Your Fence

Having a fence around your property is like having a trusty sidekick that's always got your back (or front, sides, and everything in between). Not only does a fence provide a sense of privacy and security, but it can also add some serious curb appeal to your home.

And let's not forget about the practical benefits of having a fence. Need a break from the noisy neighbors or the howling wind? Your trusty fence has got you covered. If you want to sit around in your pajamas - or whatever floats your boat - you don’t have to worry about anyone peering in, wondering what on earth you are wearing. And if you have furry friends or little ones running around, a fence can provide a safe and secure space for them to play and explore.

So, yeah, having a fence is pretty great and can save you lots of hassle - especially if you have dogs. They are super handy if you have a dog that you can’t take for a walk or need to let off a bit of steam before a walk - just open the back door and let them run wild, knowing they’re fenced-in and safe.

Or are they?

Even a fence that seems infallible can have its problems, and we all know that dogs can sniff these little issues out from miles away and use it to their advantage. Maybe they fight with your neighbors' dogs through those tiny little holes. Perhaps they are jumpers and can clear a fence with no problem. Then there are the diggers, and the dogs that will go INSANE at the sound of an ice cream truck ten blocks away. It might not even be your dog - it could be the neighborhood kids sticking their hands, sticks, and noses through gaps and winding the dog up.

This is why dog-proofing your fence is essential.

How to Dog Proof Your Fence

Fortunately, it is simple to ensure your fence is safe and secure for your dogs. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do to dog proof your fence.

Deter them from digging

Consider purchasing an L-Footer if you have a digging dog. It's a section of wire fencing that has been put flat against the bottom of your fence and bent at a right angle (90 degrees) to it - in a L shape, hence the name. Easy Pet Fence can help with you this - simply visit the website and choose the quantity that you need. Alternatively, you can request a quote if you are not sure how much you will need. This fencing can be buried underground, but it does not need to be buried in order to function properly. Other people merely place it on top of the grass, and then they might reinforce the structure by staking down the material using ground stakes.

Lean in to keep them in

Lean-to structures can also be constructed utilizing farm fencing in such a way that the top of the fence is inclined in such a way that it is horizontal to the ground. It is similar to adding a little umbrella for additional protection. It is very similar to the cat fence from Easy Pet Fence, with an arched overhang that will prevent dogs and cats alike from escaping.

If your dog is a professional jumper and none of these options are sufficient, you might need to think about expanding the exercise space or you can buy fence extensions from Easy Pet Fence to make your fences higher so that it is completely enclosed and has a ceiling over it. Need more information on these options? Get in touch with Easy Pet Fence and take advantage of the expert knowledge.

Reap the benefits of redundant fencing

It is a fence inside a fence. You have the option of erecting an additional, interior fence on just one side of your yard — the side on which the issues are occurring – or on all four sides of your property.

Your dog will not be able to make poor decisions, practice behaviors such as fence fighting, or quickly escape if you control the situation by erecting a secondary internal fence that is placed back from the common fence line. In addition to this, it can help speed up the training process and prevent other people or dogs from putting your dog in potentially unsafe situations.

It doesn't need to be anything expensive or fancy, but depending on your dog, it might need to be just as sturdy as the primary fence.

Look at landscaping

You might want to think about using landscaping as a technique to keep your dogs away from the fence if you have one that likes to jump it or one that wants to patrol the perimeter of it.

Consider planting some dense shrubs, such as boxwood, along the line of the fence. This will make your dogs have to back up to jump, making it much harder, and hopefully so hard that after one or two initial attempts they won't bother anymore!

If you have a dog that thinks it is a warden patrolling the perimeter, the shrubs will widen the buffer zone between the dog and the fence, which might make them want to give up this new job.

Just make sure you check in between the shrubs every so often to make sure your naughty pooch hasn't dug themselves a new escape route!

Final thoughts

Having said all of that, prevention is fantastic, but constant and careful oversight is of the utmost importance. Keep an eye on your canine companions at all times while they are outside, particularly if they are known to be escape artists. Good training is also important.

But all in all, training goes a lot faster when you can prevent your dogs from escaping when you take your eyes off the ball for a second, and by dog-proofing your fence, you will make things a lot less stressful, for you and your four-legged friend.

Easy Pet Fence is here for all of your dog fencing needs, so why not get in touch today and find out how to keep your pets safe in the yard.