Paws and Pickets: Choosing A Fence For Your Dog

Many pet owners think just any fence will prevent their pets from accidentally escaping, but this isn’t the case. The proper fencing will protect your pet from getting out or being harmed by other animals or cars. It also prevents them from becoming a nuisance in the neighborhood.

When putting up pet fencing, what you need is determined by your pet type and their habits. If it’s a new pet and you aren’t sure whether or not he’ll try to escape from your yard, it’s best to go with the highest level of security you can install to be safe.

You don’t need an electric fence to keep your dog carefully contained. There are humane options that don’t sacrifice your home’s curb appeal at the expense of your pet’s well-being.

Choosing the Right Fence

Since the primary purpose of your fencing is to keep your pet contained, you must choose fencing that is up to the job.

A six-foot-high fence is necessary for most dogs to prevent them from jumping over or scaling it and escaping. Chain links, cinder blocks, field fencing, and wood can all keep pets in, as long as the fencing is high enough.

Also, consider how well the fence will contain your pet, whether it’s a toy breed, a young puppy, or just determined. Field fencing often has holes large enough for a small animal to get through, so it might not be the best choice. Solid fencing or something with small holes, such as a chain link, is your best choice for small pets.

Cats and dogs have different fencing needs. It’s doubtful that fencing will detain a cat without some extra measures.

Unique panels along the top can be designed to sag when the cat tries to scale them, or the panels can lean back into the yard at an angle that makes them impossible to climb. Rollers can also be used at the top of the fencing so your cat can’t climb over, though these may not work in the snow.

Maintaining Curb Appeal

Your fencing project should complement the look of your home and not appear to belong elsewhere. In most neighborhoods, a solid wall, such as one made with cinder blocks or wood, will fit in and add value to your home.

One downside of chain-link fencing is that it can diminish a property’s exterior appearance and value. However, if used to line another, less secure fence (such as a picket fence), its aesthetic drawbacks could be overlooked.

Many areas have homeowners’ associations or other ways of addressing what is or is not allowed to be constructed in the neighborhood. It’s a good idea to check those before spending money on materials. Ensure the type of fencing you’ve chosen is acceptable in your area.

If heavy construction involving concrete fencing is prohibited, you can’t go wrong with a solid wood or vinyl composite fence. However, the former will require extensive upkeep, whereas the latter could be a little pricey but will retain a longer lifespan.

Other Considerations

Giant dogs may require special fencing to contain them. The fencing needs to be strong and tall. Panels at the top, similar to those that include cats, usually stop a dog from jumping or climbing over.

If your dog is a digger, your fencing needs to be built to prevent escapes from underneath. All fencing should be flush with the ground. For dogs that may dig under, it’s best to bury the fencing at least four to six inches so they can’t get out even if their dog digs.

If it’s not practical to bury the fencing itself, as with wood, you can bury wire fencing instead and attach the above-ground fencing to the buried part so there is no place they can squeeze through.

Not only does perimeter fencing ensure your dog’s safety, but it could also guarantee a higher resale value for your home. Potential homeowners place a lot of stock in fencing for the security of their children and pets and overall privacy.

If you can find a fence that succeeds in curb appeal and pet safety, you’ll see a return on investment of over 50 percent.

Adding a pet fence will give your home the family-friendly appeal it needs when it goes on the market, as long as it is made of humane, aesthetically pleasing materials.