Dog Digging Under Fence

Dog digging can be a problem at any time but it’s especially challenging when your dog is digging under the fence. A dog digging under the fence is hard to stop. Many breeds, such as terriers, were bred to dig. And all dogs have an instinct to dig. Primitive breeds, in particular, love to dig. Yet if you don’t find a way to stop your dog digging under fences he can escape and be lost, injured or killed. So, what can you do to prevent your dog from digging under your fence?

One solution is to fill in the places where your dog digs along the fence with rocks or gravel. Most dogs won’t enjoy digging in such hard substances. Some people recommend filling in the holes your dog has dug with his own poop. Most dogs don’t like to touch or smell their own feces and will avoid holes filled in with it. You can also try sprinkling something unpleasant in the filled in holes, such as cayenne pepper.

Another solution is to fill in the holes along the fence line and cover the base of the fence with chicken wire. The wire holes in chicken wire are spaced rather close together and they are a little rough to the touch. Many dogs don’t like the feel of the wire on their paws when they try to dig against it. This may stop the digging.

Another way to stop your dog digging under the fence is to dig a trench along your fence line and pour concrete in it. The concrete will need to be poured several inches deep or else your dog will be able to dig under it.

As a last resort you can have your fence extended into the ground and buried another foot or so deep. That should stop the most determined diggers.

In extreme cases you may consider setting up an electric fence inside your normal fence. An electric wire does not carry a high voltage and only one strand of the wire is needed near the bottom of your fence to keep your dog away from the areas where he digs. An electric fence is probably not anyone’s first choice of containment for a dog but if the alternative is the dog escaping and being lost, injured or killed, it may be necessary in some cases.

If your dog doesn’t require such extremes you could set up sprinklers to spray him when he digs at the fence. Some people use proximity collars which spray the dog with citronella when he approaches the fence. The dog wears a collar at all times but it is only triggered when he gets too close to the fence. The citronella is harmless but unpleasant when sprayed in the dog’s face. Most dogs respond by staying away from the fence (or whatever they are being trained to avoid), but there may be some dogs who persist.

A dog digging under the fence can be a serious problem because an escape puts him at risk. Dogs dig for the fun of it, or because they’re bored, or out of instinct. You can help the problem by making sure your dog has lots of toys and safe things to chew on, especially when he’s in the yard. Be sure your dog is getting lots of exercise. These things will help reduce his boredom and give him healthier outlets for his energy than digging.