The 4 Easiest Ways to Stop a Dog from Digging Under Fence

A fence is a solid structure that serves as a wall of safety and protection to keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. Besides providing privacy, fences are meant to keep your furry friends within a safe area. After all, the outside world is full of dangers for your pooch and no matter how much you try to stop him, he will keep searching for a way to get out.

However, this doesn’t mean that stop trying.

Your dog digging deep holes in your yard, especially under the fence, may seem harmless, but this is actually a concerning matter.

Why Do Dogs Dig?

Digging is an instinctive behavior that some dog breeds display more than others. Here are some reasons that your dog may be going around digging in your yard:

• Boredom
• To seek attention
• Anxiety
• Hunting
• Nesting
• To hide something

While you can’t completely prevent this behavior in some cases, there are a few ways to prevent your dog from digging under a fence.

How to Stop a Dog from Digging Under a Fence

1. Bury Chicken Wire

Burying chicken wire under your fence will discourage your pup from digging under it. Carefully measure your fence and get the amount of chicken wire to bury under your fence. Dig a deep enough trench under the fence to comfortably lay down the chicken wire. Remember that the width of the trench should match the width of the holes your dog digs. Once you’ve buried the chicken wire, cover up the trench with dirt to ensure the wire is fully covered.

2. Redirect Your Pooch to a Sandbox

Certain dogs love digging more than others. If you happen to have one of those dogs, you will need to ensure that your pooch has a safe outlet for its natural behavior. If not, without the right outlet, your dog will constantly mess up your yard and possibly even escape by digging under the fence.

You can buy a sandbox or build your own sandbox from solid and waterproof wood to provide your pup with a safe digging zone. Fill the sandbox with soil or loose sand and place it in the shade. Hide your pup’s favorite toys in the sand and reward them with tasty treats whenever they jump in the box. Making the sandbox engaging and fun will ensure that your dog isn’t tempted to dig up the yard again.

3. Get Creative with Your Landscaping

There may be certain spots near the fence in your yard when you constantly find your dog trying to dig. Decorating these spots can somewhat help eliminate their behavior. Planting bushes or placing decorative rocks and stones beside the fence can help keep your dog’s digging under control.

4. Fence Under a Fence

Just like with chicken wire, planting a fence under the fence can be a good way to keep your dog contained. This fence is horizontally hammered into the ground to prevent dogs that are digging ditches under the fence as a means to escape. When used in conjunction with chicken wire, this can help you build a strong and protective underground security system for your pooch.

The Bottom Line

Your dog digging under the fence is pretty risky as it can end up finding a way to escape. If you find your dog engaging in such behavior too often, try one of the ways above on how to stop a dog from digging under a fence.