We know the sinking feeling when your dog escapes the garden, your stomach drops with anxiety. You’re unsure if your dog is safe, if they've caused damage, or if harm has come to them while you frantically search.
Remove that stress from your life by learning how to dog-proof a fence. We break down the different ways dogs can escape (and why) and go through the most popular dog-proof fence options so you can make an informed investment.
Different Ways Dogs Can Escape
Though every dog is unique, they are likely to escape in one of the following ways:
- They climb over your fence
- They dig under your fence
- They jump over your fence
- They push through or chew through your fence
- They open a gate
Knowing how your dog escapes allows you to address the issue more effectively.
Why Dogs Try to Escape
There are many reasons a dog may decide to become an escape artist.
They may be lonely and want the company of you or a friend. A territorial dog may see something they perceive as a threat and want to ward it off.
Some dogs see things like food, water, other dogs, or humans and think it's a new playmate. Others may simply need more outlets for their energy.
Each dog is different; some love to run and jump over your fence, others love to dig underneath. Some escape due to anxiety over being separated from you. Clever dogs figure out how to open a gate latch and leave no trace.
Understanding how and why your dog escapes makes your dog-proofing efforts more effective.
Fence-Free Solutions
We want to suggest four options to dog-proof your property without buying or updating an entire fence. Fences are expensive; listed are some cost-effective options to try before investing more time and money into creating the ultimate dog-proof fence.
1. E-Fence
An e-fence is one of the most cost-efficient and low-effort solutions available. An e-fence works by having a wire loop around your property; this wire connects to a transmitter. The transmitter emits a static shock stimulation or other correction to your dog via a collar whenever they get too close to the boundary.
The wire can be buried or laid around the perimeter of your property. These systems are straightforward to use and set up, and your dog is corrected every time they get too close to your fence.
Using a training tool that implements a correction within 1-2 seconds of the negative behaviour (like digging to the neighbours), your dog will learn what is and isn't acceptable.
Immediate behaviour correction is more effective than telling your dog off for escaping hours later. Your dog will correctly associate an action with a consequence.
Our best-selling e-fence is the Wireless Dog Electric Fence, which is user-friendly, efficient, and a cost-effective way to set a boundary without altering your fence.
2. Outdoor Kennel
Why not build an outdoor kennel? Outdoor kennel kits are easy to assemble and effectively keep your dog within your property.
If your dog is a jumper or climber, this is a perfect solution. However, if your dog is a digger, you may need to reinforce the foundations with chicken wire to prevent escapes.
These work best for dogs who don’t like to wander around the garden much. It’s also worth moving them frequently, so you don’t damage the same patch of lawn. Medium to large dogs may find the space too small, but you could always customise the kit to make it larger.
3. Leash Stake
A leash stake is a coiled length of metal (like a corkscrew) that screws into the ground. Your dog connects to the screw via a rope or leash. Determined escape artists may try to chew their way through the cord or leash.
These are better used while you can supervise your dog and won’t stop them from seeing other people or animals.
4. Build a Dog Run
A dog run is a cable or wire suspended a few feet above the ground, and your dog's leash clips to a sliding pulley on it, allowing your dog to run the length of the cable and their leash.
A dog run gives your pet a lot of space to move in your garden, but they are not the easiest to install. Plus, your dog will be running over the same areas of your property, wearing out patches of your lawn.
Creating a dog run is a good solution if you enjoy a DIY project, but you can buy ready-to-use kits. This option depends on your garden and whether it is suitable for a dog run.
Considerations When Choosing a Fence
There are only a few types of fences on the market that work best for dog containment.
1. Chain-Link Fences
Though not the most aesthetically pleasing, these fences are made of a series of steel poles and galvanized steel wire.
You can get chain-link fences in heights up to 12 feet, but you’ll need to check with your local council if you can install a structure that high in your area.
This is an affordable and durable option for those with large properties or those who don’t mind the limited privacy they offer.
It is worth noting that some dogs can climb these fences, so taller versions will be more secure. The most determined escape artists may try to chew through the wire; however, this isn’t that common.
2. Solid Fences
These fences are made of wood, steel, vinyl, PVC, or other materials and are usually not see-through in any way.
Solid fences are generally 6 feet tall and aren't as easy to climb as chain-link fences. They are too tall for most dogs to jump over, but if your dog is an Olympic-level jumper, they may not be 100% effective.
Having a solid fence is an excellent option for those whose dog gets excited when they see stimuli on the other side of the fence. Limiting this visual stimulation will stop them from trying to escape to make a new friend or ward off a potential enemy.
Because there are no gaps in these fences, their corners and joints are usually more secure than other fences (e.g. picket, wide gap metal fences etc.).
3. Brick or Concrete Fences
These fences are closer to walls, but with different intricate designs and materials, they can be defined as fences. The bricks used can range from standard red brick to concrete blocks.
Dogs can’t climb brick fences, and if you build one yourself, you can ensure it goes deep enough that your dog can’t dig under it.
The major downside to these fences is their expense. They also require expertise to build, adding to the cost.
How to Build a Dog-Proof Fence
There are things you can build or add to your existing fence to dog-proof it.
Jumpers & Climbers
If your dog is a jumper or climber, installing rollers at the top of your fence is an effective solution. Rollers are a piece of strong wire that goes through a PVC pipe; these wired pipes are mounted on top of your fence to hold them in place and maintain tension.
When your dog tries to climb or jump and puts their paws on the roller, it will spin towards them, preventing them from getting a good grip.
Diggers
If your dog is a digger, then you have some work ahead of you. You can put gravel along your fence line, which may deter your dog.
An effective solution is to install a fence that extends below ground level (anywhere from 12-24 inches) so your dog can’t dig under it. This requires digging a trench along your fence, which is labour-intensive.
It is one of the most effective ways to stop your dog from digging their way to freedom, but it will incur a materials cost and require extensive labour.
Battery Rams
For dogs that use their bodies as battering rams to bust through a fence, materials are key.
Ensure your fence is made from durable materials such as wrought iron, brick, or sealed hardwood to prevent escapes.
Gate Openers
For those with ultra-crafty dogs, try adding a durable padlock or dog-proof clip to your gate. Also, consider placing a brick or other weight on the other side of the gate; even if they manage to open the lock, they won’t be able to push it open.
Browse our range of practical, dog-proof e-fence systems. We have a variety of e-fence systems to suit all your needs.
