How to Keep a Dog From Digging Under a Chain Link Fence

If your dog is an escape artist, fix a common exit route.

You may have seen the telltale sign that your dog is bored, anxious, an escape artist or just seeking protection from the elements--it's that large gaping hole in the ground under your chain link fence. Dogs dig for a variety of reasons. Keep your dog secure and your yard intact with exercise, diversionary tactics, behavior modification and fence reinforcement.

Things You'll Need

• Chicken wire
• Large rocks
• Chain link fencing
• Toys
• Soil or sand

Instructions

1. Walk your dog at least twice a day, and play fetch or other games that expend energy. Teach it some new tricks, or take a training class. Provide toys to keep it busy, and switch them around to provide variety and pique interest. Spend extra time with your dog.

2. Provide an alternate, acceptable digging spot by creating a sandbox in another area of the yard. Dig a hole and fill it with loose sand or dirt. Bury its favorite toys in this area as well. Praise the dog when it digs in the approved spot.

3. Purchase a dog house for shelter in the event the dog is digging to find relief from wind or heat. Place the dog house in a shady area, if possible, to provide extra comfort.

4. Lay chicken wire under the fence at the hole, curling the sharp edges away from the yard so they face outward. Partially bury large rocks at the fence line. Attach chain link fence to the bottom of the fence and lay it in an "L" shape on the ground to make it uncomfortable for the dog's feet when walking on it.

Tips & Warnings

• Always keep your dog identifiable through dog tags or a microchip with current information. Understand the risks involved in leaving a dog unattended in the yard. Do not neglect your dog or assume that leaving it in the yard is a substitute for attention or training. Chaining your dog is cruel, and in some states, may be illegal. Do not reprimand your dog for digging after the fact; it does not understand, and will only add to its anxiety. Watch for a loose collar, which can get caught and strangle your dog. Always provide plenty of fresh water for your dog.

References

• Paw Rescue: Fence Jumping Solutions and Fencing Yards
• Humane Society: Dig This: How to Get Your Dog to Stop Digging
• Animal Legal and Historic Center: Overview of State Dog Tethering Laws