Puppy proofing my backyard ideas..??

January 03, 2024, 05:03 PM

dry-fly

We are looking to add a French Bulldog to our pack and there are some gaps at the bottom of our wood fence that do not reach all the way to the ground. It’s not a concern for our 145 lbs Bull Mastiff, but a pup could easily get under the fence in a couple of spots. I need some thoughts/suggestions to fix this please..thanks!

January 03, 2024, 05:09 PM

RogueJSK

Either physical barriers (like covering the gaps with stones or bricks), or else run an "underground fence" wire around the bottom perimeter of your fence and have the puppy wear the underground fence shock collar.

I had to do the latter with a Schnauzer that liked to dig out under the backyard fence. The collar would beep if they got to within a foot or so of the fence (wire), and then shock them. Didn't take more than once or twice for them to figure out they needed to stay 12.1 inches away from the fence.

January 03, 2024, 05:09 PM

jsbcody

Bricks or patio blocks. BTW, there is no such thing as "puppy proof"....evens crates.

January 03, 2024, 05:11 PM

dry-fly

quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Either physical barriers (like covering the gaps with paving stones), or else run an "underground fence" wire around the bottom perimeter of your fence and have the puppy wear the underground fence shock collar.

I had to do the latter with a Schnauzer that liked to dig out under the backyard fence. The collar would beep if they got to within a foot or so of the fence (wire), and then shock them. Didn't take more than once or twice for them to figure out they needed to stay 12.1 inches away from the fence.

Gotcha, probably looking more towards some type of barrier. Our backyard is a decent size and it would be difficult to run the wire for an “e-fence”.

January 03, 2024, 05:55 PM

92fstech

Our old dog was a digger. The inside of my privacy fence is completely lined with pavers, rocks, and cinder blocks, in some places even below ground. I'm not sure if we finally blocked all of her routes or she just got old enough that she couldn't be bothered anymore, but it took years to get it perfected. It was kind of nice that it was pre-fortified when we brought the new puppy home, but he's already shown signs of undertaking his own quality control on my structure.

January 03, 2024, 06:04 PM

Nismo

Maybe pound some stakes/rebar a couple feet deep in the affected areas and line the bottom gap with bricks.

Plant some citronella or other stinky plants dogs hate if they want to insist on digging there.

January 03, 2024, 06:59 PM

dry-fly

Much appreciated guys.. y’all have got me thinking.

January 03, 2024, 08:29 PM

armme

Railroad ties.

January 03, 2024, 08:55 PM

OttoSig

Electric fence might work too, wouldn’t have to have it hot once it learned

January 03, 2024, 08:56 PM

trapper189

I used pressure treated 4×6s cut to length between the fence posts.

January 03, 2024, 09:15 PM

BOATTRASH1

I wouldn’t use pressure treated lumber due to the chemicals in it and the same for railroad ties which have creosote, which burns skin.

January 04, 2024, 10:16 AM

armme

quote:
Originally posted by BOATTRASH1:
I wouldn’t use pressure treated lumber due to the chemicals in it and the same for railroad ties which have creosote, which burns skin.

Wood fence. Likely pressure treated.

I used railroad ties for this purpose, dogs have no interest in them (probably because of the chemicals).

No skin has ever been burned by railroad ties in my backyard.

YMMV

January 04, 2024, 10:30 AM

BigSwede

Probably just some chicken wire, our Frenchy doesn't dig at all

January 04, 2024, 10:33 AM

ThankGod4Sig

Did large bricks that I had as extras lying around for my Sheltie when he was a 5 pound 8 week old puppy. worked perfectly. Now he's a 30 pound a$$hole but he never got out.

January 04, 2024, 10:53 AM

dry-fly

Good ideas guys, thanks again. been out of pocket.. sorry

January 04, 2024, 10:58 AM

xd45man

quote:
Originally posted by BigSwede:
Probably just some chicken wire, our Frenchy doesn't dig at all

I went the chicken wire route. I wish I hadn't. If there is moisture in the soil, the wire will rust and disintegrate. If it ever surfaces, you may get it tangled in your lawn mower blades like I did. I was snipping the wires for days.

January 04, 2024, 01:53 PM

220-9er

If it hasn’t had all of the shots yet check with your vet to make sure it’s safe.
I think parvovirus is in the soil from other animals.

January 04, 2024, 02:16 PM

DoctorSolo

I've had good luck with buried cinder blocks. They do settle, so leave an inch or two above ground, overlapping the bottom of the fence. Even bigger dogs will get frustrated and look for other ways out, hehe. You can use flats instead of the full-blocks for smaller dogs but you end up doing a similar amount of digging.