Dog-Proofing Your Garden – Advice From A Fencing Supplier

With summer on the way, allowing your dog to roam around and play about the garden is a great way to let them burn off some energy – but with their scampering nature, it's important to ensure that the environment is safe and secure. The risk of them running into the road or simply getting lost makes it too great to ignore the important of good fencing.

Being a leading fencing supplier in the Surrey area, we've put together some good tips on making sure that the boundaries of your garden are dog-proof!

Tips On Keeping Your Garden Safe For Dogs

Is Your Fence High Enough?

Whilst most dogs won't have the same jumping credentials as cats do, some breeds can still jump surprisingly high (we've all seen Crufts – if a German Shepherd can jump over a 6ft fence in the shape of a massive bone, it can jump over a low garden fence or wall). Whilst training can curb random jumping behaviours, their instinct may overcome these instructions whenever they see a rodent or a cat. Or indeed, a massive bone.

The size that a dog owners' ideal fence will vary on the breed and size of dog, so ensure that you understand how high your pet can jump before you commit to a fencing supplier. An obvious thing to say we know, but people getting the wrong type or size of fencing supplies for their intentions is far too common. Keep you fence above 6ft as a general rule – if you can make it difficult for the dog to see beyond the fence, obstructing their line of sight, this will go a long way to stopping them from being distracted and wanting to get over the boundary.

Keep Your Dog Away From The Boundary

The ultimate way to give a dog the ability to run about, yet prevent them from jumping over the fence, is by keeping them away from the boundary in the first place. Using natural barriers, such as planters, screens or a secondary fence are common methods dog owners' use (as long as you don't mind giving up a few foot of your garden). Having a secondary fence or barrier will mean that your dog will be able to run around the garden without having to be attached to any extended lead. The addition of dense shrubs will make the lining of the fence more difficult to jump over too.

Guard The Gate

It's common for garden gates to be slightly lower than the fencing that surrounds them – offering the dog an opportunity to vault over it. Some gates even have space underneath for them to claw into, or will simply give way with a sharp push. Being habitual learners, it won't take long for a dog to figure out they can chase that squirrel outside by pushing against the gate. Make sure you liaise with a fencing supplier on how to make the perimeter of your garden secure, including the gate – make sure it is tall enough, is able to close securely and that the dog cannot squeeze out or dig under it is a good start. Which brings us to...

Prevent Them From Digging

Dogs aren't just known for being jumpers, they love to dig. They may work on a digging a tunnel over a number of days, so the owner may not notice it until it's too late. There a number of different ways that fencing suppliers recommend to prevent your dog from digging around the garden perimeter:

• If your dog is a serious digger, pouring concrete at the base of the fence is one of the most effective ways of keeping the dog in, and the fence secure. As a creature of habit, the dog will quickly learn that it cannot dig its way to freedom – it will turn its attentions to another activity instead. Like stealing your socks (we have no tips on dealing with this, so good luck!)
• Another common alternative is creating an L-footer, which is wire fencing that is laid against the base of your fence and then bent at a right angle into the garden so that the dog cannot dig under the fence. This is a common tactic used by farmers/coop owners to protect their chickens from foxes (dogs themselves, of course). The wire does not need to be buried under the soil to work but many people do prefer to place soil on top to hide the wires for aesthetic effect (alternatively, you can use gravel or rocks).

Those were our quick tips on measures to take to make your garden a safe environment for your dog to play about in, reducing the risk of escape. If you're searching for a reputable fencing supplier to keep your garden safe and secure for all of the family, why not browse our high quality, great value selection here at Pennyhill Timber?

High Quality, Great Value Fencing For Pets From Pennyhill Timber

Having been operating as a builders merchant, supplying businesses and individuals with construction materials in the Surrey area for almost 20 years, we have established a trusted, reputable service in the supply of fencing accessories. Whether you're searching for gravel boards, fence posts, post and rail – we have a complete range of fencing products for all of your needs.

Our experience in the industry has not only allowed us to gain an expert insight into what makes great quality materials, but we have also struck up relationships with the some of the best timber suppliers across the UK and Europe – allowing our fencing products to balance that fine line between 'great quality' and 'great value'.

So if you have any further questions to ask about our fencing supplier service or need some advice on fencing for pets in general, please feel free to give our friendly customer service team a call today on 01483 486 739. Alternatively, you can send any questions you have via e-mail to info@pennyhilltimber.co.uk