11 Hacks for Dog Proofing a Fence

As dog owners, we’re doing everything to make our homes a place where they can feel safe. But there's nothing safe about your pooch being able to get out of the yard, even though you locked the gate.

As it appears, the fence might be the problem.

But don't worry; you don't need to build a wall around your property to keep your furry friend contained. We’ll go over a few hacks every pet parent needs to know about dog-proofing a fence.

Let's dive in.

Before we talk about what you can do to prevent your pooch from getting out of the yard, it's important to know why your dog is doing that in the first place. After all, your home is a safe place that offers food and love, right?

Your furry best friend surely enjoys and appreciates being a part of the family. Still, things on the other side of the fence can be quite attention-grabbing.

One of the most common reasons dogs run away is another dog. Just like us, dogs are social creatures. They love being around their kind, and sometimes, a fence is the only thing stopping them from doing that.

In case your pup is not neutered or spayed, then getting through the fence may seem to them like a window of opportunity to find a mate.

Did you know that male dogs can smell female dogs in heat within a range of over 4 kilometres? It doesn't matter much if your canine companion is a boy or a girl; mating can be a good enough reason for escaping through the fence.

On the other hand, your dog might be bored of spending time in the yard daily. And getting out is their way of finding something fun to do, be it chasing the birds, sniffing the trash or marking the territory.

Now, you might be wondering – why does the reason for getting out matter?

Well, you might be able to do more than just dog-proof your fence.

"It's very important to work out the underlying cause for the jumping, as knowing why a dog is jumping over a fence is the first step to addressing the issue" – Emma Bronts, RSPCA.

Whether it's boredom, loneliness, fear of being alone or something else, knowing the reason for escaping the yard is a great head start for dealing with the problem. By solving the root of the issue, your dog might not have reasons to leave the yard. But if that still happens, you can apply one of the hacks we’ll mention in the upcoming section.

In some cases, it's pretty clear how your dog got out. For instance, there could be a hole in the fence or a high point nearby, allowing your pup to jump over it without much trouble. But sometimes, you’re not 100% sure magic wasn't involved somehow.

Some dog breeds, like Belgian Malinois, Huskies and Labrador Retrievers, are natural Houdinis when it comes to getting to the other side of the fence. Without any clear sign of escaping, you wouldn't believe it happened had you not seen it with your own eyes.

But that's not to say they can't be stopped. The first step towards doing that is finding out their approach. Some dogs dig under the fence while others jump or climb over it. Others can't be bothered with acrobatics and manual work, so they simply decide destruction is the way to go.

Once you find out which one of these is your canine companion's preferred way of getting out, it's time to take the necessary steps to prevent that from happening. Now let's see how to dog-proof the fence depending on your dog's escape approach.

Certain breeds, like Border Collies and Australian Kelpies, can jump over 1.80 metres from a standing position. With that in mind, it's clear how these dogs can easily get out of the yard by going over the fence. But you can do a few things to prevent them from doing that.

Don't worry – you don't need to replace the whole fence just because it's too short for your furry bouncing ball. Instead, you can simply extend it.

Arguably the most popular way of extending the fence is to add a trellis. A trellis is a panel made of cross-hatched sections (either metal or wooden) that you can attach to a fence or a wall. They’re designated to provide support for trailing plants while at the same time adding privacy to your backyard.

Trellis is easy to install, with tools you already probably own. Just attach a U-bracket on each side of the bottom part of the panel and screw it on the top side of the fence, and that's it. Quick and easy, yet it will prevent your dog from jumping that high.

A wireless dog fence uses radio frequency, creating a boundary your dog won't want to cross.

The benefits of using a system like this are that there is no need to dig anything up or make any significant alterations to your existing fence, and it only takes a few minutes to set up.

There are many different options, so if you choose to go down this route, make sure you do your research.

Most dogs can't jump too high, especially not from a standing position. But many of these furry escape artists don't need to, as they have other things to help them in the endeavour.

Let's say a dog house is right next to the fence. The roof can easily turn into a jumping aid, allowing them to jump off and reach the top of the fence. The same could be said for a bench, trash can, grilling station, etc. Keep anything that could be used as a foothold positioned away from the fence.

Having a lengthy grassy yard is great for dogs, as it allows them to run around and exercise all day long. But it can also help them gain that necessary momentum to jump over an otherwise tall fence.

One way to prevent that from happening is to use redundant fences. In other words, a system with a fence within a fence. This system is used quite frequently in yards close to a busy street or highway and when neighbours can't get on the same page regarding fence design.

You can erect an interior fence on one or all sides of your yard, depending on how many "weak points" for escape there might be. Ideally, you want it to be at least one metre from the outside fence to prevent your pooch from gaining the necessary momentum to jump over it.

Dogs aren't generally known for being strong climbers, especially when compared to cats. Yet some pooches are agile enough to climb a fence like a ladder. It's an art form indeed, and observing that could be a very entertaining show if only it didn't mean your dog is escaping the yard. Luckily, there are a few tricks to deal with this issue.

A Coyote roll is a long aluminium tube that prevents the animal from getting the foothold for climbing over the fence. The design is pretty simple. Dogs must use their paws and pull themselves onto the fence to cross it. But once they step on the roller, it starts rotating, thus denying them the required traction to pull themselves.

This design originated in the USA and was used to prevent coyotes from attacking livestock, hence the name. While coyotes aren't a thing here in Australia, this hefty fencing system can be pretty handy to deal with a climbing master within your yard.

The great thing about a coyote roller is that it doesn't need electricity and requires very little maintenance. Moreover, you can buy the original product or make it DIY. While the latter requires time and effort, it's a more affordable option.

As you know, cats are amazing climbers. And all of the previously mentioned dog-proof tips would never work on these animals. But what does work is cat netting. This type of fencing system uses inward-leaning top panels, making it difficult for a cat to balance.

You might not have a cat, but your dog can pass as one in the category of escaping over the fence. And this type of fencing system can be the only way of keeping your puppy safely inside the yard.

You can make cat netting of practically any material, but wire meat is the most popular choice for its affordability and ease of installation.

Some fences are easier to climb than others. Wire or mesh is not too big of a challenge, as your pup has lots of options when it comes to foothold. The same goes for classic wood picket and post-and-rail fences.

On the other hand, panel fences, be it vinyl, aluminium, wood or other smooth material, reduce the dog's grip when climbing. You don't need to completely replace your fence to create a smooth surface. You can mount sheets made of any of the previously mentioned materials to make a slippery surface.

You can use landscaping in your backyard to make it harder for your dog to climb the fence. To do that, you can plant shrubs as a barrier between the two.

Ideally, you want the shrubs to be roughly 50-60 centimetres from the inside of the fence. They also prevent your pup from having a running start and jumping across. But what they don't do is keep your canine companion from digging. And in fact, you might not see a tunnel in the making from the leaves. So, in that case, you should also apply one of the tricks in the upcoming anti-digging section.

Some dogs might not be fantastic jumpers or climbers, but that doesn't mean they can't find their way out. One activity many pooches find extremely fun is digging. And escaping through a tunnel is not difficult unless you take extra steps to prevent that from happening.

One thing about this trick is that it will not be the quickest solution to your problem. Making the footing requires time and money, which grows exponentially with the size of the yard. Plus, you can't just "add" concrete to your fence. You need to remove the whole thing and start again from scratch.

But concrete might be the only thing stopping your canine from digging under the fence. It does that by having post holes at depths of as much as 60 centimetres. This should be more than enough to stop any dogs from finding their way to the other side.

Breeds like terriers, hounds and Northern breeds are notable for their digging skills. And in case your dog is a proud representative of previously mentioned breeds, then you need cement footing. But if your pup is not that hardcore of a digger, simple l-footers will work.

An l-footer is a part of wire fencing bent perpendicularly in an L-shape. You can bury the footer underground, but it's not a necessity. If you’re lazy, you can lay some rocks on top, and the grass will eventually grow through the wire, hiding it.

L-footers are an excellent option for a puppy-proofing fence, as they will deter your little pooch from trying to dig underneath in the first place.

Finally, some dogs need help finding their way over, under or around the fence. With brute strength and determination, they find it easier to pass through it, one way or another.

There are many things dogs like to chew on, and sometimes the fence can be one of those things. Be it for entertainment purposes or to escape; your dog may grab onto the fence and tug it until it pulls loose.

This, of course, might not be a real problem if you own a Chihuahua or a Maltese, as these breeds don't have a bite strong enough to damage the fence. But certain terrier breeds and wolfdogs can rip their way through.

If you already have a mesh wire fence in place, don't fret. You don't have to replace the whole thing, but "upgrade" it. To do that, you’ll need either cattle or goat panels. These panels are made from welded galvanized wire and are strong enough to withstand your dog's bite.

The difference between goat and cattle panels lies in the size of the holes. While goat panels have 10×10, cattle panels have 15×15 centimetre holes. Make sure the holes aren't large enough for your pooch to get stuck between.

You don't need the panels covering the entire fence; as long as the part that your canine companion can reach while standing will be enough.

Whether it's boredom, loneliness, hormones or something else, dogs may feel the urge to leave the backyard on their own. And to prevent that from happening, dog-proofing a fence is a must.

However, you shouldn't just deal with the actual act but the causes for it as well. Escaping is just how your dog tells you what's missing in your relationship.

How tall a fence should be to keep the dog inside depends on your dog's climbing and jumping skills. But at the very least, it should be three times your dog's height at the shoulders.

So, for instance, Labrador Retrievers stand from 55 to 62 centimetres at the shoulders. This means you’d need a tall fence between 165 and 186 centimetres.

There are always risks involved when leaving your dog unsupervised in the yard. And while a dog-proof fence might keep your dog inside, it doesn't ensures complete safety. Your dog might get anxious, bored or hyperactive, which can lead to excessive barking. That's uncomfortable for your dog and not something your neighbours might want to put up with.

PVC deer block netting is, hands down, the most affordable fencing system. It's flexible, easy to assemble and long-lasting, so it's an option that pays off. Depending on how strong you need it to be, you can improve its sturdiness by choosing between stake materials.