Ahh, dogs. Their loyalty, bravery, friendliness, and unconditional love for us are just a few of the reasons why their companionship provides us with such great joy.
But when their instincts get the better part of their good nature, they sure can drive us crazy!
Such is the case with dogs that dig, dig, dig — especially when they’re digging, digging, digging under our fences.
Wondering how to stop a dog from digging under the fence? Read on!
Dogs, People, Fences
If you’re a dog owner, you more than likely have seen your furry freeloader digging in the yard or at the base of a fence.
Dogs dig holes because, well, they’re dogs. It’s natural, instinctive. They get bored, want to escape or just like to dig.
Some breeds, such as Jack Russell Terrier and the Dachshund, were actually bred to dig. That’s why they burrow and paw under your couch cushions and through your flower bed with such enthusiasm.
It’s also why getting them to stop digging can feel a bit like asking a leopard to change its spots.
It can be done, though.
Preventing a dog from digging under the fence can be a challenge. A dog that digs not only creates unsightly holes; it can also create costly damage to fences, plants, and lawns. Plus, it means you have to worry about your dog escaping through the hole he just dug under the fence.
There are quite a few options to choose from to keep a dog from digging under a fence. The right solution may vary for each situation. You may want to test out a few different options to see which one works best for your type of fence (vinyl, wood, chain link fencing, etc.).
Create a digging pit.
This is a great solution and doesn’t require much construction know-how. There’s a good how-to guide here. We like this solution a lot, and we hope it works for you doggo. Best case scenario: he chooses this as his digging spot — away from your fence line — providing you with peace of mind.
Place rocks around the edge of the fence.
You can place rocks around the areas of the fence where the dog likes to dig. This will make it harder for the dog to dig. If they try digging through the rock, they will see they are getting nowhere and stop. This is as close as you are likely to get from a dog-proof fence.
Fill in the holes with rocks or dirt.
Depending on your dog, you can try filling in the holes with rocks or dirt. Dirt may just encourage them to keep digging and provide constant work for you, though. It really just depends on the dog. You can also fill in the holes with gravel, which makes it harder for the dog to dig.
Bury wire or fencing into the ground.
Burying wire in the ground requires a bit of work but is a surefire way to stop your dog from getting through a fence. The only trouble is that if you bury chicken wire, it probably won’t stop the dog from digging. This method works if you have a dog that is an escape artist and you want to stop them from getting out.
A similar concept is to buy metal stakes that are about a foot-and-a-half long and pound them into the ground at the base of the fence. Consider the size of your dog, and space the stakes appropriately. This is a similar approach to burying wire but requires less digging and overall work.
Train your dog.
If you have the time and knowledge, train your dog. This is your best bet because it fixes the source of the problem and will stop your dog from digging even if you move.
Install an electric wire.
As a last resort, you might consider installing an electric wire around the perimeter. Make sure it is low enough to the ground so that if the dog tries to dig near the fence they will get a mild zap. This should teach the dog not to dig at the edge of the fence. Note: Some electronic barriers or invisible dog fences emit a high-pitched sound or a loud noise that deters your dog from getting too close to the fence.
