How to Prevent Your Dog From Digging Under Your New Chain Link Fence

For Your Pooch

When installing a fence, you must first choose between several fencing styles, as this can impact how you need to act to keep your dog from digging under your fence. Depending on your needs, you can select options such as chain link style fencing, privacy chain link fence, and ranch style vinyl fence. Frequently, dog owners ask us our opinion on the best way to keep their dogs from digging under their newly installed fence.

 Why Dogs Dig

Many dogs have a natural instinct and enjoy the act of digging, while others do it due to a number of potential behavioral issues. When addressing any behavioral issues with your dog, avoid negative punishment because this may increase anxiety-related digging. Not only can this behavior damage your new chain link fence, but it will also make the ground look shabby, and if the dog is determined enough, they can get out and run away.

How To Keep Dogs From Digging Under Your Fence

1. Spend Time with Your Dog - The first tip comes from many of the local dog trainers who help owners change this behavior in their dogs. This may seem like a common sense tip, but dogs often dig under a fence when they are not receiving enough time and attention from their owner. If your dog is not expending its excess energy or getting the attention it desires, it will lead to problematic behavior, such as digging or chewing. Extra playtime is a fun and easy way to prevent your dog digging under the fence in search of more fulfilling activities.
2. Create a Barrier - Another way to prevent digging under your fence is by physically blocking it.  Lining the perimeter with rocks or other heavy material is one way of how to keep your dog from digging under the fence if additional interaction isn’t doing the trick.  Another option is to place chain-link fencing on the ground, anchored to the bottom of the fence. 
3. Concrete Mow Strip or Curb - A third option, though the most costly, is extremely effective. Having a concrete mow strip or curb put in on the inside of your new chain link fence is not only a great way to prevent digging, but will also enhance the look of your yard. If you have the budget to do this, then we would highly recommend it!

If you happen to run into the issue of your dog digging under your fence, keep the above points in mind and, hopefully, it will help you keep your yard looking great, and, more importantly, keep your beloved pets safe.  

Protect Your Dog With A Professionally-Installed Fence

We are in no way experts in dog training, but over the last 35 years of serving the High Desert, including Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Oak Hills, Phelan, and Adelanto, we’ve learned a few tips from our experiences and from talking to our amazing customers. If you have any other helpful tips for how you keep your dog from digging under your fence, please let us know in the comments, or if you’re looking to have a new chain link fence installed, give All American Fence Erectors a call today for a free estimate!