How to Choose a Pet-Friendly Fence or Dog-Proof Your Fence

pet-friendly fence
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Dogs are smart animals, and if they want to run through or jump over your fence, they’ll find a way. Depending on your neighbourhood, your dog may run out and face risks like traffic, untrustworthy strangers, and health risks like rabid animals and lawn pesticides. To keep your furry friend safe, you should install a pet-friendly fence. If you already have a fence around your home, it’s a smart idea to dog-proof your fence to make sure your pup cannot escape. Here are some helpful tips on how you can secure your home and keep your four-legged friend safe.

Check the Fence Height and Spacing

If your dog is tall and your fence isn’t tall enough, it could escape. Larger dogs may need a six-foot tall fence, especially if they are jumpers. A three and a half-foot tall fence should suffice for smaller dogs. Open style fencing with gaps between the pickets is not a good idea for pet owners, either. Think about how large your dog is and whether you think they can squeeze through the pickets. If you think they’ll fit, you might need to make adjustments accordingly.

Secure the Swimming Pool Area

The threat of drowning is always present, even for dogs who know how to swim. Dogs should never be left unattended in a yard with a pool, so make sure your pool area is fenced well. It is also a good idea to train your dog on how to enter and exit the pool safely.

Check the Strength of the Fence

There’s no point in installing a fence around your home if it is weak or has loose planks or holes. You should regularly inspect the health of your fence to prevent weakening and damage. If you have a chain link fence, for example, it weakens in certain areas over time and can be pushed out from the bottom at these vulnerable points. If the fence is constantly causing issues, it may be time to try a different style of fence that is made of sturdier materials.

Assess the Gates and Latches

Test your gate to see how easily your dog can open it. Some dogs have observed and learned how to open the latch or push it far enough to squeeze through the opening. Your fence gate should have a tight fit to prevent your dog from escaping, and if the gate is the issue, you should replace the faulty latch or use a padlock to secure it better. If your dog is using the opening to squeeze through, use a chain and padlock, bike lock, or a tightly wound bungee cord to secure it tighter.

Choose the Right Fence Material

Some homeowners only require a small wire mesh and a post and board, picket, or split rail to keep their small dog secure. Others may choose wrought iron bars or decorative metal options that are spaced too close for their dog to squeeze through.

There are many types of fences for you to choose from:

  • L-footer for dogs that like to dig under
  • Concrete footer for even more serious diggers
  • Coyote rollers for jumpers or climbers
  • Lean-ins for jumpers or climbers
  • Redundant fences for big, strong dogs, or those with barrier frustration

Choose Total Fence Inc.

Dogs are masters of escape, so ensuring you have a durable and dog-proof fence is important to keeping your pet safe. When choosing the right residential fence, you should choose something that safely contains them and looks attractive around your home. If you are located in Ontario and looking for a reliable fence company to help you with pet-friendly fence installation, give Total Fence Inc. a call. We provide a myriad of beautiful and durable fence options. Best of all, we do all the work from start to finish and can help design a custom fence the way you want. Want to know more? Feel free to contact us with any questions.