How do i stop my dogs digging under the fence? Next door has 2 free roaming rabbits! Any ideas?

Question

The rabbits like to stick their noses under the fence! Dogs are going mad and it doesn't help that one is a springer spaniel! Please help!

Answer 1

if it is just in one area or even not go buy some chicken wire put it the whole he is digging in and cover it up when he start dig he will hit the chicken wire, you half to put it along the whole fence then do it after awhile he will think every time he digs he will hit chicken wire this has how i have stopped every digging dog i have and chicken wire is cheap.

Answer 2

I installed an electric wire just 3-4 inches off the ground...Kept rabbits away, and kept dogs from digging out.
You can get the kit for about $40 at most garden centers or home depot type stores.

Another emedy is to buy a roll of narrow chicken wire, and place it along the fence line...at the bottom of the fence, folded in an elongated 'L' shape, so that it comes out a 1 1/2 os so from the fence, on the ground...they tire quickly of trying to dig through wire,

Answer 3

You will probably have to block up the bottom of the fence with blocks or boards so that the rabbits can't taunt the dogs. You can try sprinkling black pepper, paprika, cayenne, or tabasco in small quantities where the dogs dig. It won't hurt them but will make digging unpleasant, so dogs will usually stop. This sounds mean, but it is usually a one or two time deal and is a lot nicer than an electric fence, getting bit by a rabbit, or being tied to a tree.

Answer 4

This is a recipe for disaster. You can dig up a section of garden and bury chain link fence at an angle, and it should also go a foot or so up the fence; no higher as they can use it to climb.
But ultimately you need to train your dogs to leave the rabbits alone. That has to be tackled carefully, and your neighbour won't be happy to lend you theirs.
I'd suggest you find a trainer that specialises in this kind of work; you can train dogs to leave sheep and hens alone and the basic method won't be any different.
You also need to show your dogs that you disapprove of this behaviour, as you should be pack leader they should listen if you make it clear that the rabbit is off limits.
Also, talk to your neighbour. If they want to keep free roaming rabbits they should also put chain link their side to stop the bunnies digging out...

Answer 5

let the dogs have the rabbits then open the next door neighbours gate so it looks like the rabbits got lose
Or try this
fill an old pop bottle with stones and every time your dog goes near the fence shake the bottle to distract them it might take a few days but they will get the idea and you could probably try putting chicken wire at the bottom of the fence and burying it so the dogs cannot get under it

Answer 6

Ask your neighbors to build a pen for their rabbits to keep them away from your fence. For one, it is not safe for the rabbits to be loose, they are fairly 'domesticated' animals and there are many dangers out doors that they are not mentally nor physically equiped to defend themselves against....shame on your neighbors! There's not much you can do to deter your dog from following a natural instinct, you can dig a trench around your fence and fill with concrete, but if your dogs want at the bunnies that are 'teasing' them, they'll find another way out of your yard. Try an underground fence, the collar will shock them when they get too close. Or tie them up so they can't get to the fence.

Answer 7

Well, I heard this before, and you could try this.. Along your fence, dig up a couple of spots around your fence, put some water balloons, into the ground and cover it up.. After, that when the dogs go out side, and try to dig they will get spash and scared by the nosie, and hopefully not try it again!!! This is what the dog traniner told me to do !!! Hope it helps

Answer 8

let the dog eat as much as it want twice a day for 20 minute periods. if continued, buy extra fencing and dig up under the fence. then make the fencing go about 2 feet into the ground!

Answer 9

May be a little labour intensive but if the soil is soft enough you could try driving sheets of corrugated iron to a depth of about 600mm leaving about 100mm exposed above the ground. You should be able drive them with a sledge hammer. Even the most determined digger won't get under that. They did something similar at the Glastonbury festival site to prevent people from sneaking in by burrowing under the fence.

Answer 10

Buy your own rabbits for your dogs, that will stop them digging under the fence, for a while anyway!