Having a dog is a lot of work.
There are all the basic care needs for your pet day to day, but you also need to figure out how to keep your pet secure while he or she enjoys time in the yard.
When your property does not have a fence along the property border, and if you want to allow your pooch time outside, you will need to secure the enclosure first.
Some pet owners choose to section off a space in their yard for their dog to play and exercise.
In this scenario, you will need a dog fence to keep fido in and safe.
In this guide – we are going to showcase 11 great ways to secure your pet while retaining the aesthetics of your yard.
Why Is A Dog Fence Important?
Dogs are inherently curious creatures and even with thorough training, their instincts will prevail.
If they are let into a yard that is not fenced and they see something outside the ‘boundaries’ of that yard that piques their curiosity, there is no doubt that they will go and check it out.
The only way to prevent that is with a fence.
If you don’t, it is possible that your dog will just wander off and get lost – or worse, stolen.
Furthermore, if you live anywhere near a busy road, there is always the chance that your dog could be hit and badly hurt by a car.
Not all dogs are aggressive towards strangers, but there is a chance that they could injure someone if they were to escape the backyard and get to them.
In addition, when there is a fence, it is harder for people or other animals to get in and potentially hurt or traumatise your pet.
1. Fence Or Wall?
Before we dive into the actual types of fences, we wanted to mention the possibility of using bricks instead of more conventional fencing materials.
When you hear the word fence, you often think about something that is wood or metal.
Those are super awesome, but if you create something out of brick or stone it will be far more substantial.
This is ideal if you have a dog that digs or if your dog or another animal is likely to damage a less substantial fence in any way.
And not only that, but a brick boundary will really enhance the appearance of your garden and with all of the types of stone to choose from you can find something that works in with your theme.
2. The Temporary Dog Fence
You can get a temporary a dog fence which will look more like a pen.
They sell packs with different pieces so you can customize an enclosure for your dog for a secure and spacious area.
Also, these temporary fences are great if you are renting a property, and can’t put anything more permanent in place.
You will be able to grow with your dog as well, adding on sections as they get larger.
They can also be easily moved around the garden as you will probably want your dog to use different spaces.
3. The Portable Dog Fence
Like the temporary dog fence, the portable dog fence is a little bit smaller but still works on the same principles of providing a safe space for your pet to secure them indoors and out.
We would advocate for these types of fences on vacations and when visiting friends and family.
Now, you can travel with your pets without the concern of them damaging someone else’s property as they can be securely contained within the portable fence.
And they collapse down so you can just stash them in the trunk of your car and go where the wind takes you.
4. The Chain Link Dog Fence
Chain link fences are probably the cheapest fence you can buy.
They are great if you want your dog to feel they are not fully enclosed as the gaps and openings in the chain link allows your dog to look out at the world.
The downside to chain link fences is that they are not the most visually appealing.
The design is very basic and some people say they look ‘cheap’.
But you could always adorn them with dog friendly plants and or items if you want to make your chain link fence more inviting.
5. The Wooden Fence
A normal wooden fence is the most traditional form of fencing.
There are numerous advantages including the fact that there are many styles and sizes to choose from.
If you want to fence off the very edge of your property then a larger 6ft fence would be ideal.
If you are only going to fence off a little piece of your garden, you can choose a much lower fence.
Another great aspect of a wooden fence is its durability. Yes there is upkeep and there is some limits in extrem weather, but on the whole, they will last for many years.
Plus, you can paint them a colour that suits your back yard so overall they look great.
6. The Wire Fence
A wire fence is even less expensive than a chain link fence!
As a reminder they aren’t the prettiest of fences but they do job very well.
This is also a good option if all you are trying to do is keep a small or medium-sized dog contained.
Also these types of fences are not permanent so you could really move them or take then down when your dog is not using the yard!
Just keep in mind that these types of fences are not for dogs that are going to try and nibble or dig at the fence so keep that in mind!
7. Fencing Off A Patio
A patio fence is a great option if you have kids and dogs.
When you have a fence built at the edge of the patio which is small to medium height, you can let your dog in and out of the house without the worry of them trampling dirt and mud in.
Not to mention, patio fences are so handy for kids too as they can join in on the fun without you having to watch them as closely as you normally have to.
There are many options to choose from in patio fences but the most common by a long shot will be wood. It’s also great you can have a gate built to the fence so that if you ever needed to access the rest of the garden, it would not be an issue.
8. The Puppy Enclosure
As a puppy, you must take special care of your dog even more so than when they have grown up a little.
A puppy enclosure is a safe way to keep your curious puppy safe, but still allow them some freedom. Oftentimes you can buy puppy enclosures ready built, and simply put them together.
However, you can also use this as a chance to have fun and try your hand at some DIY, if you wanted to build a more bespoke area for your dog.
You don’t have to stop at the fence.
Many owners decide to make hide-outs, ramps, tunnels, and other distraction for their exuberant dogs.
9. The Tall Fence For Big Dogs
If you have a large dog, chances are a regular fence just isn’t going to keep him or her where you want them.
Some dogs can even stand on their hind legs high enough to exceed the height of the owner which means they can simply climb a patio fence or temporary enclosure.
The good news, is that there are many taller fences available that are meant to keep large dogs in.
The recommendation is to use something around no smaller than 5 feet to use something up to 7 would be even better!
These fences are typically some metal and again will have spacing similar to a chain link fence, so your dog is not going to feel like he or she is stuck cut off, and still feel like they can see everything.
They may not look the best out of some of the other options, but probably a small price to pay for the safety of your dog!
10. The DIY Pallet Fence
The last couple of years, old pallets used to make new things like furniture has become somewhat of a fad on the internet.
However; you don’t have to restrict your ideas to garden furniture and tables. It is pretty easy and more importantly, fun, to make a DIY pallet fence.
Plus, these fences use wood which all the advantages of having a wooden fence and the added bonus of being able to exercise your creative freedom.
Also, pallets are primarily designed to transport goods and such things will have to last, they are made super strong.
A DIY pallet fence will weather any condition and is a great way to keep nosy dogs in!
11. The Picket Fence
Picket fences are all over gardens and yards in America.
They’re a classic type of fence, but they’re still timeless.
Most people commonly use them for cosmetic purposes, however, they’re also perfect for keeping small dogs in the yard.
Like other types of fence, you can get picket fences in various sizes. They come in very small and can be as high as 7 feet.
Most common, the average height of a picket fence is about 3 to 4 feet.
Conclusion
I’d say keeping your dog safe is probably at or near the top of your list of priorities.
Your backyard can be an oasis for your pet, but once the dog gets out or someone gets in, it can turn out to be a lot more scary!
If you want to keep your pet safe, getting a dog fence is the best option. There are many types of dog fences available too.