How to keep dogs from digging under fence to visit neighbor dogs?

Kor10108668
by Kor10108668
We tried electrified wire near the ground but it didn't deter them!

  11 answers
  • Goldrushgal Goldrushgal on Apr 05, 2017

    We had to resort to a row of concrete blocks. We dug a shallow ditch, about 2 inches, and laid the blocks end to end along the fence. When the dogs give up you can plant succulents or vines in the openings of the blocks to hide them. They become a raised flower bed.

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    • Imi21718427 Imi21718427 on Apr 07, 2017

      Buy a roll of 3 or 4 feet high chicken wire & lay it on the grouno along the fence on the grass & bend it up the fence & secure with those plastic ties. Works great. You might have to secure the chicken wire to the ground in a few spots but it blends right in to whatever is there.

  • Sonia Sunny Rogers Sonia Sunny Rogers on Apr 05, 2017

    We dug a shallow trench below the fence and ran a line of concrete at the base of the fence. They haven't gotten out since, and the grass hides the concrete.

  • Cindy Carmichael Cindy Carmichael on Apr 06, 2017

    A couple of suggestions. 1. Bury the dogs poop in the holes. Dogs tend to not dig there again. 2. Bury concrete chunks in the holes. This time of year there should be people wanting to get rid of this - check craigs list.

  • Sandra Wayson Sandra Wayson on Apr 06, 2017

    Anchor chicken wire down along your fence. The grass will eventually hide it.

  • Beth August Beth August on Apr 06, 2017

    Sandra gives the idea I was given. It is simple. You can put dirt over it to help hold it down. Another thing you can do is to make sure your dog's nails are clipped. If you keep them clipped short, it will be uncomfortable for them to dig because it makes the quick sore. I did this twofer and my dog never dug under the fence again.

  • Judy Judy on Apr 06, 2017

    Lay a sharp wire on the bottom 2 layers of wire, and one under the fence, where it will lay on your grass. This should be your answer. Take you animal out there, and show him/her the new fence . . and scold him/her and say firmly "NO, NO, NO" and do not give in. The dog will truly understand this. They are smarter than a person gives them credit for. Best wishes.


    • Debbie Debbie on Apr 06, 2017

      i don't think she's going to like the size of the vet bills.

      Do you really think a dog understands being scolded when he hasn't even done anything - just standing there?

  • Judy Judy on Apr 07, 2017

    DEB - I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING OF THE VET BILLS . . JUST TALK FIRMLY TO HER, AND SHE WILL COMPREHEND. I DIDN'T SAY SCOLD HER, BUT BE FIRM. DOGS ARE SMARTER THAN FOLKS GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR.

  • Goldrushgal Goldrushgal on Apr 07, 2017

    It depends on the size of your dog if chicken wire will work. Our Lab chewed right through heavy gauge box fencing. Chicken wire would have been gone in a minute.

  • Laurie Laurie on Apr 07, 2017

    I have an American Bulldog, a Red Heeler and a small Pit. I put chicken wire anywhere I don't want them to dig. Just pin it to the ground and it works like a charm.

  • Emily Smith Emily Smith on Sep 21, 2020

    I'm in the same predicament. I have a little Pomeranian mix that is very possessive of mommy ever since his big brother (German Shepard/husky mix) passed away two months ago. Our neighbor's dog is a beautiful malamute who digs his way over into our yard. Now he has figured out the doggy door and just helps himself inside, much to the dismay of my little dog. I work from home and when he comes inside, my dog will defend his territory. I am continually taking myself off the phones so I can deal with any dog arguments (My dog is mostly all talk but has gone full on psycho a time or two). I have been dismantling my raised flower beds and filling holes with the concrete blocks but to no avail. The neighbors are hard to reach and we've mentioned it before but they have taken no action on their side to prevent the issue. I suspect their dog (which is a high energy/intelligent breed) is lonely, bored and probably looking to play with our dog that passed away. I don't want anything to hurt him and thus far, my position has been that it is better he break into my yard than break out all together and get lost, stolen or hit by a car. We're going to approach the neighbors again and offer to help pay for any fencing needs and to help come up with some solutions. (I used to work for/with a pet rescue organization so we have advice in spades!) I really think they need to invest in either a doggy day care or a dog walker/sitter. Malamutes, huskies and German shepherds (like my old one) are know for anxiety issues and being high energy/intelligent breeds that need A LOT of interaction/attention.


  • Deb K Deb K on Oct 06, 2021

    Hello, hope this helps you with the digging

    https://www.rover.com/blog/ca/how-to-stop-dog-digging/