How to Dog Proof a Fence

It can be frustrating to have your dog get out of a fenced yard. Whether your dog is a digger or a jumper, there are a couple steps you can take to dog-proof your fence and keep your dog safely inside your yard.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bricks or concrete blocks
• Shovel
• Chicken Fencing or other types of fence

1. If your dog is a digger, it will be relatively simple to dog-proof your fence. Typically a dog that digs will focus on areas of the fence that are going to be the easiest to dig out under. These areas include around a gate, or places where the fence does not touch the ground, leaving a slight gap.

2. After you have identified the areas where your dog is likely to dig, it is time to begin preventative measures. Get several bricks or concrete blocks and dig your own hole as if you were trying to dig out under the fence. Dig deep enough for the bricks to be able to be buried about an inch down from the surface of the ground.

3. Once your hole is dug, put the bricks or concrete block in the hole, and cover with dirt. This will hide your dog-proofing from view. This will prevent your dog from being able to dig an escape hole, and keep him safely inside your yard.

4. Preventing a jumping or climbing dog from escaping a yard is a bit more difficult. There are a couple of options for you though. First, Consider replacing your fence with a taller fence or a wooden fence. If your dog climbs a chain link fence, replacing it with wood will prevent him from being able to climb. If your dog jumps a 3 foot fence, replace it with a 6 foot fence.

5. Another option for a jumping dog is to add a second fence inside the first. Erect a cheap chicken wire or other simple fence about 6 inches inside the main fence. This will prevent your dog from being able to jump over the outside fence.

Tips & Warnings

• Always praise your dog for coming back to you when you call, even if you are upset that the dog got out of the fence. You want the dog to continue to come to you when you call.
• Use rabbit fencing or chicken fencing to keep a small dog from fitting through the cracks in a fence.
• Electric fences are not a reliable method for keeping a dog inside a yard, even though they may work well for some dogs.
• Consider having your dog microchipped so that if he gets out of your yard, he will be returned to you.

Resources

• Effective Dog Training
• The Importance of Walking Your Dog
• Dog Training Blog

[vintage]

on 8/24/2009 good article 5*

[davida8575]

on 6/28/2009 Good ideas. I have a dog that likes to run away a lot.

[soanyway]

on 4/5/2009 I like your idea of buring bricks. For my digger I would get a HUGE jar of powdered red pepper and run a line of it all around the inside of the fence. She hated it! LOL and sneezes! Thanks for the tips!