My dogs have been digging to get under my fence to get at my neighbor's dogs. How can I stop them?

Question

(I don't want to use an electric fence)

I don't want to use an invisible/electric fence

Answer 1

Put wood up against the fence or block their site of the other dogs. Maybe make the fence longer. My dog stopped because she learned her lesson after she accidently got her head stuck under it but she got it out eventually.

Answer 2

Actually, an electric fence is the best way to teach your dogs to stay away from the privacy fence.

You can set the "spark" to a low enough setting so that it's more of a "tap" than a "kick."

Set up at least 2 strands - on about 6" from the ground and another about 18" from the ground. That's tall enough and low enough for the dogs to get "tapped" from the fence when they try to get through.

Place the fence about 12 - 18 inches from the privacy fence. That's close enough to prevent the digging - but far enough away for weeding.

I know people don't like electric fences - but properly installed and managed, they are valuable tools. And they work. Trust me, it only takes one or two taps with the electric fence for Fido to decide that the next door neighbor's dogs aren't really that interesting after all.

Answer 3

I had to deal with this once. I went to a distributor that sold landscaping supplies & bought railroad ties to lay down at the base of the fence. This was ten years ago & they are still there providing the same purpose. Your dog may try at first to dig under them but will shortly give up, it simply puts them too far away to dig under. They are 8 ft. in length & a little less than a foot wide, so measure the length of the dividing fence line & divide it by "8" & you will have the right amount of ties to purchase. They are not cheap, but not as expensive as an electrical fence, & they won't harm your dog. Oh, & it looks better than an electrical fence as well. Remember if you do this you will need help putting them down, they are VERY heavy. Also, if you have to cut one to fit perfectly on your fence line, you will need a chain saw, or get your measurements accurate & have the landscaping company cut it for you.

Another option that I didn't do was to line the fence base with cayane pepper. I've read this technique works, but I love my animals to much to try this one. They say the dog may dig once or twice through the cayane, but will learn quickly.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I had the same problem last year, after my neigbours got a new dog ...

We dug a trench about 8" wide and 18" deep at the bottom of the fence and dropped breeze blocks (cinder blocks?) into the resulting trench. We used breeze blocks because they were cheap, but concrete or any type of solid stone material would work just as well. Then we backfilled with ordinary soil to about 6" deep and restored to it's former glory.

It works brilliantly, as if they do dig they cannot get anywhere, and not can the neighbour's dog!

PS. We also built the dogs their own digging pit - a 4' x 6' area filled with a soil and sand mix that we hide treats and toys in so they are rewarded for digging in the 'right' place

Answer 5

We had to lay cement at the bottom of the fence to keep our dog in. we dug a spot and made a curb like thing under the fence so that the dog could not dig out any more. was time consuming but she doesn't dig out to the neighbors house any more

Answer 6

Take chicken wire and bend it in an L shape. Bury the long side under an inch or so of soil or mulch and have the other tacked up against the fence. They can't dig through the wire, can't get through the fence.

Answer 7

Have these dogs neutered and/or spayed. That may stop the digging.

Answer 8

Put wood at the bottom and just before the wood put treats your dog likes so if he tries it again you will either hear him or see him.