You love your dog. It was one of the main reasons why you bought a large front yard and backyard so you can play with your best friend as they run to catch balls and frisbees. Yet every time you are playing with your dog, they inch closer to the edge of the property and roadway as it takes forever to get their attention. With everyone worrying about the family dog running off to chase squirrels, other dogs and the occasional speeding car, you decide it might be time to install a small dog fence.
Installing a small dog fence will bring peace of mind that your pet can safely play outside in your yard and relieve themselves without worrying about your dog bolting from the property. Before installing the fence, here are 7 factors to consider so that you get the fence that is right for your pet.
1: Breed of Your Pet
A small dog, such as a Wire Fox Terrier, Pomeranian or Bichon Frise will remain small even when they are full adults. So you can get a small dog fence at a shorter height, such as 4 feet, to keep them in the yard.
Yet larger dog breeds such as Labradors, Huskies and Border Collies would need a taller fence to prevent them from escaping. A five-foot to six-foot fence will normally accommodate larger dog breeds.
2: Types of Materials
There are a wide range of materials that can be used for small dog fences. Traditional wood and aluminum fencing can come as pickets or solid panels depending on how much privacy you want and the types of maintenance you are willing to perform.
Chain link fences are another common option, as the fence provides an unrestricted view of the other side. You can also decide on wrought iron and decorative metal fences when you want something more visually beautiful than a chain link fence while durable and see-through.
3: Size of the fence
Some homeowners decide to enclose the entire backyard or front yard for their pets. Yet you can decide only to portion off part of your yard by placing up a small dog fence to allow you pet to come outside and do their business. This fencing option is also ideal if you have other structures on your property that you want to keep the dog away from, such as pool areas or outdoor workshops.
4: Is Your Dog a Climber or Jumper?
Some dogs love to climb as much as a cat. They will use their back legs to scramble over obstacles and make a run for it.
If your dog is a climber, it will impact the types of fence materials that you use, as a dog’s paws can easily fit into the holes of chain link fences as they can use the fence links to climb up.
Jumping dogs will also make your shorter dog fences useless. If you have ever found your dog up on the kitchen island counter licking a dinner plate clean, you should consider getting a dog fence high enough where they can’t leap over it.
5: Is Your Dog a Chewer?
While almost all puppies chew when they are teething, some dogs love to chew on things into their adulthood as you have to make sure to keep certain items away or the things will disappear into the dog’s mouth. A dog that loves to chew, especially on wood, may try to chew a big enough hole in the fence to escape.
When considering dogs that chew, you may decide on materials that make it hard for the dog to destroy, such as ornate wrought iron fences or chain link fences.
You may also decide on vinyl or wood fences where the slats are close together or in panels so the dog cannot wrap their jaws around the individual boards to chew them apart.
6: Does Your Dog Love to Crawl Under Things or to Dig?
If you decide on a wooden or vinyl fence, consider how low the slats will be placed. Often when installing a fence, the boards will be two to three inches from the ground.
However, some dogs love to shimmy their bodies low to the ground and wiggle through the tight space. Other dogs will try to dig under the fence.
When installing a small dog fence, consider the space below the boards. Have the fence sit flush with the ground, or bury the fence one to two inches below the ground’s surface. You can also place rocks against the fence or bury chicken wire to prevent your dog from burrowing an escape tunnel.
7: Will Your Dog Get Overly Excited Due to Visual Stimulation?
Some people want their fence to have spaces between the slats so their dog can see out into the world. They also don’t want to feel as if they are imprisoning their pet. Unfortunately, some dogs get excessively excited over things that they see on the other side of fences, such as squirrels, cats, other dogs and people. They will run up the down the fence line barking, growling, howling and scratching the fence.
While the pet’s actions may seem desirable if you have the dog as protection, this overstimulation can cause behavioral problems. Also, the dog could become so stimulated that they may take out their anxiousness and excitability on your other pets or family members that get too close. Installing a privacy fence that the pet can’t see through will keep them calmer and more well-behaved.
Hopefully the above list of factors to consider before placing in a dog fence can help narrow down your choices in fence materials and sizes while insuring that the installation process runs smoothly. If you are debating about a custom fence installation, reach out Fence OKC as we can help you decide on the size, placement and materials for your small dog fence.
In Need of a New Small Dog Fence?
Fence OKC would love the opportunity to serve you and your family by providing you with a free estimate on your fence project. Please feel free to contact us by using the form below or call us at 405-778-1545. We have a fence that will fit anyone’s budget.
