Dog Fences That Actually Keep Dogs In
A fence that looks fine to people can be an open door to a dog. Dogs dig under the bottom rail, squeeze through a gap by a gate post, climb horizontal boards, or clear a 4-foot fence from a standing start. A good dog fence is built around the dog you have.
Tell us the breed, size and habits when you ask for a quote — whether the dog digs, jumps or barks at everything that passes — and we will design for it.
Schedule your no-obligation on-site consultation today.
Designing for Your Dog
Diggers
A dig guard: galvanized wire mesh buried along the fence line and fixed to the bottom rail, or a concrete or gravel strip under the fence. It is much cheaper to add while the fence is being built.
Jumpers and climbers
Height first — 5 or 6 feet for large or athletic dogs, where your city allows it. Keep horizontal rails on the yard side facing away from the dog, and avoid designs with footholds.
Squeezers and small dogs
Close the gaps: tight board spacing, “puppy pickets” on ornamental fences, a gate with no more than a small gap at the latch and hinge sides, and ground clearance kept to a minimum.
Barkers and reactive dogs
A solid privacy fence along the street or a busy side blocks the view that sets them off. Many dogs settle once they cannot see passers-by.
Materials for a Dog Fence
Chain link
Economical, strong and see-through, from about $28 a foot at 6 feet or roughly $22 at 4 feet. Good for dog runs and large back yards; add privacy slats if the dog reacts to what it sees.
Cedar privacy
Solid, quiet and familiar, from about $58 a foot at 6 feet. Keep the bottom of the boards just above soil level and add a dig guard for diggers. Boards chewed or scratched are replaced individually.
Gates: Where Dogs Get Out
Self-closing hinges
Spring or gravity hinges pull the gate shut behind the delivery driver, the gardener and the kids.
Latches dogs cannot work
Some dogs learn to lift a thumb latch. A gravity latch set high, a lockable latch, or a latch on the yard side out of reach solves it.
No gap under the gate
Gates swing over the ground, so the gap under them is the most common escape route. A threshold board or gravel pad under the swing keeps it small. See gate installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall should a fence be for a large dog?
Six feet stops most dogs; 5 feet works for many; 4 feet is enough only for small or calm dogs. Where a fence can be that tall depends on the city and on which part of the lot — see height rules by city.
Can you add a dig guard to an existing fence?
Usually, yes. Mesh is buried along the line and fastened to the bottom rail. If the bottom rail or posts are failing, they are fixed first.
Is electric or invisible fencing an alternative?
We build physical fences only. Note that several cities in our area restrict electric fences in residential zones, and a buried-wire system does nothing to keep other animals out.