How can I prevent my dogs from digging under a fence and getting out?

Joan Stanley
by Joan Stanley

My neighbor had a new privacy fence put in but the installers set the entire 100+ feet of it about 1-2 inches above the ground. Now my dogs know they can escape to go search for more friends. They know no fear because they've never experienced anything bad. Neighbor's yard is not dog proof either. What is the least expensive way I can solve this problem?

  5 answers
  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Sep 07, 2019

    Oh dear Joan, that must be quite stressful. I found this lovely article that has quite a few tips on how to get your fur babies to stop digging under the fence - https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/stop-dogs-digging Hope one of the tips helps

  • Allison Allison on Sep 07, 2019

    I've tried a couple of methods that work and cost very little. One is to simply bury their poop in the holes, most will not dig with the feces there. Another is to purchase 2 foot vinyl coated wire, fold it into an 'L' shape and place it against the fence. Since it is not your fence, I suggest you don't attach it, but you can use some bricks or large stones to hold the ground section down. You needn't bury or line the whole fence with bricks, just one or two every 4 feet or so. Or you could use flower pots with plants for aesthetics purposes.


    Wearing them out prior to extended yard time would certainly help. Get or make a flirt pole. You can find instructions with a google search. I made mine with a length of pvc, paracord and duct tape, added a cheap booda bone. Cost- 5 bucks. 5 mins to a worn out, don't-care-to-explore dog. I couldn't live without flirting.

  • Ellis Ellis on Sep 07, 2019

    A friend who had this problem got long 6x6 fence posts and laid them on the ground right in front of the gap. Then they used long spikes (they're used to make railroad tie retaining walls) and after drilling holes in the 6x6's, drove the spikes through and into the ground so the 6x6 wouldn't move.

  • Gk Gk on Sep 07, 2019

    You can buy short wire push in fencing that is normally used to border a garden. It comes in individual sections or lengths of fencing with each section attached to the other. It is relatively inexpensive. It can just be pushed into the ground along the fence. My dog wanted to crawl under the deck this summer to dig for rocks. The open area under the deck was about 14 inches from ground to deck. This fencing has worked well all summer to keep him out from under the deck. Once I put it up he tried to get under the deck but gave up after a day or so! I spent less than 25.00 to go around 12 x 24 deck (3 sides).

  • Teach the dogs not to dig. Install snake fencing. I have 6 dogs in my yard, all taught not to dig.