Prevent a Dog From Digging Under the Fence
There’s a smell in the air! Or perhaps in the ground? Her expert nose starts sniffing around, searching for its source. Somehow, she always finds her way to the corner of the fence, her favorite bone buried near her favorite edge — the same one she uses as a scratching post.
She has an itch to dig, and the green begins to fade into brown beneath her paws. She continues with her self-appointed mission, her mini adventure, until finally, she unearths what she’s been looking for.
THE BONE! Oh, happy day! For a moment, the world seems a little brighter.
But then she steps back, head tilted ever so slightly, to discover pieces of the fence broken up into the grass. Oops! Well, that certainly wasn’t her intention. But of course, the human will understand. After all, no one is silly enough to prioritize a fence over a bone. Right?
Wrong. We may love our pets, admittedly more than a fence, but it can be difficult to taper their persistence at digging beneath something so necessary to the backyard — even if they’re convinced it’s a great location for buried “treasure.”
Why Is My Dog Digging Holes Under the Fence?
You might be convinced your dog is doing this to actively defy you, but in reality, dogs like to dig for a number of reasons. You may be able to find a fast solution simply by discovering your pet’s motives.
Sometimes they dig because they’re bored from being stuck in one place for too long. Sometimes they like to seek out prey and dig in an effort to draw out burrowing animals or insects in the yard. In that case, their digging will usually be centered around one particular area.
Sometimes they want your attention. Our little friends require constant love, care, and interaction from their owners. When they can’t get it, they search for ways to extract it through behaviors that drag your focus back to them. If they dig in your presence after you’ve taught them not to, it might be a sign you and your pet need to spend some more quality time together.
Some dogs have “valuables” they like to bury near the fence. This motive is more of a preference-based one and can be curbed by the right kind of behavior training. Is there somewhere in the yard you wouldn’t mind your dog digging in? If so, you could find a way to redirect their efforts to a different location.
And sometimes they like the chance to escape in and out of the backyard. There’s a possibility your dog could be digging holes to get to or away from something. It could help to investigate their surroundings for anything that could potentially trigger this behavior.
What Can I Do to Keep a Dog From Digging?
There are some fast and easy fixes for our little world-class diggers based on the intention.
Boredom can be easily solved by expanding your dog’s world past the fence borders. Outdoor activities, long walks, and a little more quality time can make a world of difference. Keeping your pet occupied allows them to use up any energy they stored for hole digging. And it might just give you an excuse to step outside of the house and get some fresh air during the middle of the workday.
But sometimes, the problem isn’t quite as simple as boredom, in which case, your dog might be sneaking out in the middle of the night. Believe it or not, pets can also be naughty enough to lead double lives.
There are many ways to keep them from secretly tunneling their way out of the confines of your backyard. Start with examining your surroundings for any potential digging triggers and under your fence for any pre-existing holes. It’s important to cover up their craftsmanship before they get any inspiration to recreate more craters.
The next step is to patch up the bottom of the fence. Here are a few fail-safe tricks you can try to cover up the base.
- Bury chicken wire along the bottom and ensure sharp edges are tucked in.
- Place large rocks, partially buried, at the bottom of the fence line.
- Add chain link fencing and anchor it to the bottom of the fence to prevent your dog from digging near the border.
- You could consider an L-Footer (a wire fence laid down against the base of the fence and bent at a 90-degree angle). The wire fencing will discourage your dog from coming near the fence, especially if you pair it with smelly deterrents like pepper or pepper spray.
There could be a chance your little digger can’t curb the urge to dig and needs to be redirected to a dig site. Pick a place you’re comfortable with them digging up and encourage them to revisit the spot by burying little prizes for them. Train them to choose their designated dig site with “dig” and “no dig” commands that teach them restraint. And use any of the previously mentioned methods to make their current dig zones beneath the fence seem incredibly unattractive.
What Types of Fencing Does Northland Fence Provide?
It can be a tall order figuring out which type of fence to consider when setting up your back or front yard for safety, beauty, and security. After all, there are many different things to consider. Luckily, at Northland Fence, we’re here to help by providing you all the information and guidance you need to make the right decision for your family and furry companions.
At Northland Fence, we offer three incredibly durable materials that are effective and appropriate for keeping your pets safe and secure. Our fence-building materials include steel chain link, vinyl, and ornamental steel.
Chain Link Fencing:
Chain link fencing has been a residential and commercial fence standard for decades, and for good reason. What this material lacks in visual appeal it makes up for in durability, security, and affordability.
Chain link can be the perfect option for keeping dogs of any size safe and secure. The only downside can be that chain link is see-through. For more anti-social and vocal dogs, this can mean they are well aware of any neighbors, mail carriers, and other passers-by. (If this is a concern, vinyl fencing may be the way to go.)
They come in two varieties which are galvanized or black chain link fencing. Both are a woven steel wire. Galvanizing the steel helps to prevent rust, which is very important in the harsh Minnesota weather. The vinyl black coating serves the same purpose.
A common misconception about chain link fences is that they are relatively weak because they are made from steel mesh rather than solid rods. However, the mesh technique enhances the strength of the steel wire, making it very difficult to break without using heavy construction tools.
Another upside of chain link is that it requires little to no maintenance. Even if the fence is ignored completely, it should last for decades. But just in case, we offer a 15-year warranty on fence materials and a full 10-year warranty on labor.
Vinyl Fencing:
Because of our commitment to only offering top-quality and practical fencing materials, Northland Fence offers vinyl fencing in situations that call for the look and strength of wooden fencing. Wood fencing does not hold up well to harsh Minnesota weather. Along with this, traditional wood fencing has been known to become upright doggy chew toys in certain situations.
In contrast, vinyl fencing offers the very same beauty as wooden fencing but requires little to no maintenance. The strength of vinyl provides the perfect protection for your back or front yard, keeping out unwanted wildlife while keeping your furry friends safe and secure.
With a look that replaces the beauty of traditional wooden fencing, vinyl provides a barrier that comes in both picket and solid options and a variety of different colors. Solid vinyl fencing can provide your dogs with the isolation they need to reduce anxiety and feel completely comfortable in their outdoor environment. Solid vinyl fencing is also perfect for smaller dogs that could possibly slip through the spaces in between slats of a picket fence.
Unlike inferior materials, vinyl doesn’t rot, chip, fade, crack, or peel. We offer a lifetime non-prorated warranty on the material and a full 10 years on our labor, making this the last fence you’ll ever need to buy.
Ornamental Steel Fencing:
If you want your back or front yard to be just right, ornamental steel fencing may provide the beauty that sets it over the top. Ornamental fencing has been around for centuries and will continue for generations to come. This type of fence is renowned for its beauty as well as its practicality and security.
Traditionally, these ornamental fences have been constructed from wrought iron. At Northland Fence, we opt to make these beautiful fences out of galvanized steel. Steel is better equipped to withstand harsh Minnesota weather — much more than iron is able to.
Ornamental steel fences can provide the elegance and security you’re looking for in a fence. The name gives it away, but ornamental steel can be crafted to look beautiful. We offer both flat tops and spear tops, depending on what look and safety features you prefer. Both can look fantastic given the right circumstances and can be customized to your needs.
Ornamental steel has the same see-through drawbacks as chain link or picket vinyl fencing, and for nervous or antisocial dogs, this may not be the best option. While we can build ornamental steel fences with rods as close together as you’d like, smaller dogs may still be able to slink out from in between them, so that is something to consider.
We believe our ornamental fences are some of the best in the entire state of Minnesota, which is why we offer a 15-year warranty on our materials and a 10-year warranty on labor. Unlike our competitors who use wrought iron and inferior materials, we only use galvanized ornamental steel, which is far sturdier and more durable.
What Not To Do To Prevent the Digging Behavior the Dog Has
Remember, digging is an instinctive action for most dog breeds, and it’s important to let them have a little freedom to do it away from the fence. Punishing them after the fact doesn’t work and can worsen the problem. Here is a list of things to avoid when trying to change your pet’s behavior.
- Rubbing your dog’s nose into the mess will not fix the problem. Most dogs won’t make the connection between your anger and the hole they created. The added anxiety from the punishment will only cause them to dig more.
- Never raise your voice or your hand at them. They’ll only learn to run away from you or attempt to hide what they’ve done. It’s more productive to tell your dog you’re unhappy about the hole and let them understand through verbal and facial cues.
- Don’t try to chain them up. Dogs require their world to be bigger than the boundary of the yard. Limiting them will cause more anxiety and boredom — therefore, giving them new motivations to dig.
The Dog Isn’t Always At Fault
We can’t expect our pets to amuse themselves when left alone for long periods of time. Nor can we expect them to change their habits if digging is an instinctive trait of their breed. We can, however, address our dogs’ incentives to dig through several fail-safe methods. And, of course, pick a sturdy fence that stands strong against puppy paws.
We’re here to answer any questions you may have when determining which type of fence is best to protect your yard, your house, and your four-legged friends.
If you’re thinking about getting a new fence, call Northland Fence at (763) 316-4881 for more information.
FAQs If You Want a Dog to Stop Digging:
What can I put on the bottom of my fence to keep my dog in?
There are many options to put at the bottom of your fence to prevent escape. Some people line the bottom of their fence with chicken wire or chain link. Others put boulders at the base of their fences to prevent escape. Some even opt to install an L-Footer (a wire fence laid down against the base of the fence and bent at a 90-degree angle).
What repels dogs from digging?
Spraying the bottom of your fence with solutions that have strong odors can help prevent dogs from digging. Some of these solutions include vinegar, citrus oils, pepper, and pepper spray.
Why does my dog keep digging holes under the fence?
Dogs dig holes under your fence for several reasons. They might be bored or acting on instinct and seeking prey. They may dig holes for attention. They may even dig holes to bury “valuables” such as bones.