If you’ve got a doggy escape artist on your hands, you’ve probably been cautious about letting them into the backyard. It seems like the moment you look away, your pooch is at the fence, plotting their escape. Whether they’re feeling curious, rebellious, or peppy after a delicious dog meal, they’ll seize any reason to test their boundaries. Without a dog-proof fence, it may only be a matter of time before they realise their plans.
An on-the-loose pup can get into all kinds of trouble and even put themselves in harm’s way. As such, it’s important to lower the risk of your dog getting out. On the other hand, it’s frustrating to feel like you have to lock your pup inside the house.
Luckily, there are ways to fortify the backyard so you don’t have to worry about letting the dog out. Here are our top recommendations for a dog-proof fence!
DIY and Store-Bought Dog-Proof Fence Solutions
Option One: Coyote Rollers
This idea was developed in the United States as a humane way to keep coyotes out of the backyard or chicken farms, and the idea is simple. A PVC pipe, rubber or metal tube is suspended on a wire at the top of the fence. With this method, there’ll be nothing for your dog to hold onto when trying to jump over. If you’d like to know more, the RSPCA has more information about coyote rollers.
Option Two: Barrier in front of the fence
If you’ve got a jumper, it’s important to keep your dog from being able to get a running start. You can install a lower fence about 60cm away from the main fence, which will perfectly interrupt their doggie launch.
At the same time, though, we get it, another smaller fence is a bit of an eye-sore in your backyard. It also doesn’t prevent diggers, so you might opt to plant shrubs instead. With leafy plants in their way, your pup won’t be able to access the fence quite so easily. This will slow down the dig so that you can catch them in time.
Option Three: Bamboo or tarp
Doggos will be less interested in escaping if they can’t see what’s on the other side of the fence. With this in mind, installing a DIY covering like bamboo or tarpaulin is a good way to cover the view. Of course, bamboo is the more visually pleasing of the two; if it’s strong enough, you can plant creeping vines or flowering vines to upgrade your backyard.
Option Five: Chicken wire dog-proof fence
This is an affordable option that can help you deal specifically with digging behaviours. Attach the chicken wire to the bottom 60cm of the fence and make sure it extends well below ground level.
Option Four: Install a new dog-proof fence
If you’ve been thinking about getting a new fence, this is a great opportunity to make dog-proofing measures part of your plan.
You might consider a lean-in fence that curves into your backyard to prevent your pup from jumping over. There are also sturdy snake-mesh or pest-mesh fences you can install deep into the ground to prevent digging or breakages.
Behaviour and Training Solutions
Having measures in place to prevent escape is a good first step. However, the most effective thing you can do to stop your pet escaping is try to change their behaviour. In general, dogs dig or try to escape for specific reasons, like boredom, lack of attention, or anxiety.
Luckily, there are a few easy steps you can take to lower your dog’s need to dig or run away:
- Make sure they get plenty of exercise
- Give them mental games or challenges in the backyard that will hold their attention
- Supervise them when they’re in the backyard. If you see your pup starting to dig around the fence, bring their attention to a game or call them away and have them follow a command so that you can give them a treat. This way, they’ll associate being in the backyard with fun things and treats.
For more ideas on how to keep your dog from digging around the fence, check out our article on Five Tips to Stop Your Neighbours Complaining About Your Dog.
The more that you give your dog attention and playtime in the backyard, the more they’ll see that space as place they want to be. Coupled with the safety measures that you’ve added to the physical fence, you can say goodbye to the days of worrying about your furry little escape artist.
Would you like a pro to keep an eye on your pooch while they’re in the backyard during the day? Book them a Doggy Daycare Pet Sitter!
