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How to Block Dogs From Going Under a Fence

Dogs dig for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is to escape an enclosure. When building a fence meant to keep your dog in and safe, certain precautions ensure that it never learns there is a way to escape. If you overlook these precautions, you may be accidentally teaching your dog that escape is an option. Sometimes dogs dig for recreation, or when hunting small burrowing animals, and may accidentally discover a way out of their enclosure. Building up your dog fencing with a digging block serves to head off headaches down the road.

Things You'll Need

  • Chainlink or chicken wire
  • Rocks, pavers, bricks or concrete blocks
  • Shovel
  • Landscape timbers or railroad ties
  • Galvanized nails
  • Hammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay or bury chain-link fencing or chicken wire along the bottom of a chain link or other wire type fence, on the ground or buried a foot deep. Bend the wire at a 90-degree angle, and attach it securely along the bottom of the fence and fence posts. When laid on top of the ground, dogs sometimes find it uncomfortable to walk on, keeping them away from the fence perimeter. When buried, a digger encounters it and is unable to dig through it.

    • 2

      Place large rocks, pavers, bricks or concrete blocks along the bottom of the fence on the inside. This may deter some diggers, and at least closes the gap between the fence and the ground, eliminating temptation.

    • 3

      Dig a trench about 2 feet deep prior to putting up wire fencing. Install your fence into the trench and back fill it after the posts are in and the wire is up. Verify that your fence is still tall enough to prevent climbing or jumping out. Use a 5 feet tall fence at minimum, for large breed dogs, and 6 feet is ideal.

    • 4

      Dig a shallow trench beneath an existing wire fence and fill it with concrete to prevent digging out.

    • 5

      Bury wood landscape timbers or railroad ties beneath wood fences. Secure the timbers or ties to the posts using galvanized nails.