7 Must-Know Tips for Picking a Small Dog Fence

Essential Tips for Selecting a Small Dog Fence

Installing a small dog fence will give you peace of mind. Your pet can safely play outside in your yard and relieve itself without worrying about your dog bolting from the property.

Before installing the fence, here are seven factors to consider to get the right fence 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 more significant 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 usually accommodate larger dog breeds.

2: Types of Materials

Small dog fences can be made from a wide range of materials. Traditional wood and aluminum fencing can be 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 standard 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 that is 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 to portion off only part of your yard by placing up a small dog fence to allow your pet to come outside and do its 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 cats. They use their back legs to scramble over obstacles and run for it.

If your dog is a climber, it will impact the types of fence materials that you use. Dogs’ paws can easily fit into the holes of chain-link fences, and 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 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 adulthood as you have 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?

Consider how low the slats will be placed if you decide on a wooden or vinyl fence. The boards are often two to three inches from the ground when installing a fence.

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 it one to two inches below it. 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 spaces between the slats so their dogs 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 they see on the other side of fences, such as squirrels, cats, dogs, and people. They will run up and down the fence line, barking, growling, howling, and scratching the fence.

While the pet’s actions may seem desirable if you have the dog for protection, this overstimulation can cause behavioral problems. Also, the dog could become so stimulated that it may take out its anxiousness and excitability on your other pets or family members who get too close. Installing a privacy fence the pet can’t see through will keep it calmer and more well-behaved.

Hopefully, the above list of factors to consider before installing a dog fence can help narrow your choices in fence materials and sizes while ensuring that the installation process runs smoothly. If you are debating a custom fence installation, contact 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 offering a free estimate on your fence project. Please use the form below or call us at 405-778-1545. We have a fence to fit anyone’s budget.