“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself,” Josh Billings once wrote. Many people commit themselves to creating loving, safe homes for their puppies. How do you fence in a dog? It’s not as easy as simply pitching up a fence and calling it a day. There are several things anyone putting up a dog fence needs to keep in mind. Here are three things you should know about dog fence do’s and don’ts.
1. Keep in Mind Your Dog’s Size
Privacy fences come in many heights. If they’re not tall enough to prevent your dog from escaping, though, they’ll be doing you little good. Taller gates and fences are needed for larger and/or more energetic breeds. Keep in mind as well that small dogs can fit through the bottom gaps of some fences. If you plan on burying part of the fence to prevent this, or to prevent digging, aim for a fence type that won’t rot in the ground, like vinyl fences or chicken-wire.
2. Seeing the Outside isn’t a Good Thing
While some dogs might need a very durable fence type to prevent chewing through — such as what a chain link fence would provide — most dogs benefit from not being able to see the outside world while they are fenced in. Being able to see something, but not approach it, can cause many dogs to become stressed out.
3. Invisible Fencing Has its Drawbacks
An invisible fence is laid along a grid, and if your dog passes through it, they receive a shock to their collar. The benefit here is largely to the homeowner if they don’t want a visible fence. For a dog, though, it creates some issues. Again, it can lead to frustration and stress when dogs can’t reach what they see. It can also lead to safety issues — if dogs get excited they might leave the area, but they will then be unable to return because of the fence’s current.
Do you use chain link fences or any other type of fence for your dog? Let us know in the comments. See more.