How To Stop Your Dog Digging Under The Fence
August 3, 2018
Dogs escaping from your backyard is not something any pet owner wants to happen, especially if you live beside a busy road. So we have a few tips to help you dog proof your back garden so your pets remain safe and secure.
Granted some breeds are prone to digging, but that aside, if you have an escape artist on your hands, you’ve got a problem. These little monkeys will stop at nothing to find a way out. You can’t always be outside to monitor your dog’s comings and goings, so make sure your backyard is safe before letting him or her roam free.
Here are few tips to dog proof your backyard:
Expert Tips To Stop Your Dog Digging Under The Fence
Check your existing fence for holes and weak spots
Take a walk around the perimeter of your garden, checking your fence for any suspect areas where your dog could escape. To repair gaps and holes in a chain link fence, buy some wire mesh and firmly secure it to the fence to cover the holes. Any spots that have come away from the rail or the post can easily be repaired with some tension wire.
Remove temptation
All dogs think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, so what they can’t see won’t tempt them. If they have a view through the fence to passing foot traffic and other dogs, they’re more likely to escape. So you’ll need some sort of cover up to block the view and remove the temptation. There’s lots of options available, including:
- Privacy screen netting made of vinyl or burlap.
- Bamboo or willow fencing – also adds a cool design element.
- Artificial foliage – this kind of fencing is good for backyards with few shrubs and landscaping. You can find this fencing in ivy, fiscus, lemon leaf and more.
- Christmas tree garlands for the creative types. Look for pine, spruce and fir garlands in green. Weave them through your chain link fence for an affordable and chic way to give yourself more privacy and remove temptation from your pets.
Secure the bottom of your fence
If your dog is digging under the fence, here are a few recommended ways to put a stop to it.
The most affordable way to stop your dog from escaping under the fence is to dig down about two feet all around the perimeter. Get some chicken wire and secure it to the bottom of the fence and bury it two feet down. Cover in soil and place heavy rocks all along the base of the fence.
Alternatively, you can take two feet of chicken wire or wire mesh and lay along the bottom of the fence, making sure it’s secure to the bottom.
The third option is to search for products designs specifically for this problem. One company by the name of Dig Defence makes spike fencing that easily inserts into the ground at the base of any fence. You can choose from different sizes and lengths, but it can run a bit on the pricey side.
Not only will these tricks help to keep your dog safe in the yard, they’ll also keep other critters out.
Set up a place for digging
If your dog is a breed that instinctively likes to dig, you’re going to have quite the job curtailing this behaviour. Better yet, set up a digging area where he can dig freely. You can also install a sandbox for a cleaner option. Try hiding his toys and treats in the sand to entice him to dig and get him trained to use it.
A few simple measures will give you peace of mind and keep your dog from digging under the fence and escaping from your backyard.
by Natalie Secretan
MetroDogWalker.com
Photo by: Phil Dragash ~ Dog on Fence