9 Tips for Updating & Repairing Your Gate to Protect Your Dog
Dogs are smart and are good at finding ways through the barriers their owners set up to help to keep them safe. For some canines, all you may need is a higher fence to keep the dog from jumping over it, or a fence that is deep enough to keep your pet from digging under it. In other instances, you just need a properly secured fence and gate. And then there are the incredibly intelligent dogs who find away despite all of your efforts. When you have a clever dog, you have to find creative ways to secure your fencing.
Here are nine great tips to help you to update and repair your gate to protect your dog:
1 Inspect the fencing
Inspect the ground along the fence line to see if there are any weaknesses or openings that your pet might escape through or is escaping through. Look for low spots in fencing and well as gaps in gate openings where your dog can slide out of.
2 Check for fence weakness
After you have completed your general inspection, conduct a more thorough review of your fence to check for weakness, This can be a gap, loose planks and broken link fencing. Chain link fence can easily become weak over time needing repair to keep its strength and security.
3 Secure your fence base
When your pet is escaping through the base of your fencing, it is important to secure it to keep your dog safe inside, and to keep pests and predators out. Securing your fence to a stake can help to secure the bottom and prevent lifting. All you will need is a mallet, stake and tie to connect it to the fencing. Add this wherever extra protection is needed at the bottom of your fence.
4 Add chicken wire to the outside
Adding another level of wire to protect an escape point can prevent your dog from bothering the area they’ve been digging. Simply attach the wire to the fence and stake it into the ground. Some simple hardware is needed for this including ties or wire to help secure the fencing.
5 Patch holes in the fencing
If you have holes in a wooden fence or gaps in chain link fencing, make sure you patch it. Sometimes these patches can have a less than ideal appearance so you may want to hire a contractor to help you patch your fencing. A contractor can even help you to replace entire sections.
6 Bury fencing or chicken wire
By burying fencing or chicken wire, you can prevent your dog from getting through the barrier. The best depth to bury the fencing is at least a two-and-a-half foot trench. The buried fencing can be either chain, wooden or vinyl, as long as it is used along all of the fencing to prevent a break in security.
7 Try an invisible fence
Invisible fencing uses a buried electrical line that prevents your dog from leaving the property. You place a collar on the dog that sends signal to them when they cross the barrier. The unpleasant result encourages them to remain within the boundaries of the fencing. This can work together with permanent fencing, or without. It is a good way to safely train your dog to stay within the yard.
8 Check all gate latches
Believe it or not, dogs have been known to successfully open gate latches. This clever canines open and close the gate opening undetected by their owners. Pay attention to your dog’s habits and if you identify a problem, consider changing the latch to something more tricky. You may even opt for a padlock or bungee cord to more securely lock your gate. Fido will have a tough time figuring that one out!
9 Move stepping stones
If your dog is using an object in your backyard to help propel them over your fence, consider moving it. From chairs to tables to trampolines, smart dogs will use another object to help them gain height to get out of the yard and go for a jog. If your dog is still getting over the fence, consider getting a taller fence! A six-foot wood or vinyl fence is an ideal height to keep your furry friends safe.
Trying to secure a fence to prevent your pet from roaming about the neighborhood and risking his life on major roads can be a daunting task. However, there are companies who can help you reduce the stress and successfully repair or replace your gate or fence to protect your pet.
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