Mia Patel
Dogs digging under fences can be a common problem, and chicken wire can be an effective solution to prevent dogs from escaping. While it may not stop a dog from digging altogether, it can prevent them from getting out and becoming lost. Chicken wire can be placed in a trench dug along the bottom of a fence, or laid on top of the ground, to block a dog's access. This paragraph will introduce some of the ways chicken wire can be used to prevent dogs from digging under fences and escaping.
Characteristics and Values table for installing chicken wire to keep dogs from digging:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of material | Chicken wire, welded wire fencing, hog wire, PVC-coated mesh, wire mesh, landscape cloth, landscape pins |
| Installation method | Dig a trench, lay chicken wire, fill trench with soil, attach wire to fence with staples or cable ties, place heavy rocks on wire |
| Trench dimensions | 12 inches deep, 6 inches wide, 30cm deep, 30cm wide |
| Other considerations | Mark digging areas, measure length of fence, use smaller sections for easier handling, bury wire, use rocks or road pack instead of dirt |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the area by marking where your dog is digging
To prepare the area by marking where your dog is digging, start by observing your dog in the garden to identify the spots where they are digging. Once you've determined these areas, use stones or similar objects to mark the spots. Alternatively, you can cover the area with landscape cloth and stake it tightly to the ground with landscape pins.
If your dog is digging along a fence, measure the length of the fence where they are digging. Ensure you have a roll of mesh or chicken wire that is the same length or longer than the area your dog is digging. The height of the mesh or chicken wire should be at least 30 cm.
If your dog is digging in a specific area, you can simply lay the chicken wire on top of the ground in that spot. However, if your dog is digging under a fence, you will need to create a trench along the bottom of the fence. Dig a trench that is approximately 12 inches deep and 6 inches wide. Be careful not to dig through any sprinkler or water lines. If the ground is too hard, loosen the soil by soaking it with a garden hose for a few minutes.
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Dig a trench along the bottom of the fence
To install chicken wire to keep dogs from digging, you'll need to first identify the problem areas. Mark the spots where your dog is digging using stones or something similar. If it's not obvious where they're escaping, watch them in the garden and then mark the area.
Once you know where the dog is digging, measure the length of the fence with a tape measure so you know how much chicken wire to buy. The roll of mesh should be the same length or longer than the area the dog is digging. The height of the mesh should be 30cm or higher, and it's recommended to use PVC-coated mesh to be kinder to your dog's paws.
Now you're ready to dig a trench along the bottom of the fence. Use a spade to dig a trench that's around 30cm deep and 30cm wide directly underneath your fence. The trench should run along the full length of the problem area. If you're using chicken wire, you don't need to dig as deep—around 8-10 inches should be enough.
Once your trench is dug, place the chicken wire into the trench and staple or nail it to the bottom of the fence. Ensure the mesh extends a few inches below the ground to prevent digging. Then, fill the trench back in with dirt.
If you don't want to dig a trench, there are a few other options to try. You could lay the chicken wire on the ground and stake it in place with U-shaped stakes, or cover the area with landscape cloth, stake it tightly to the ground, and then top it with chicken wire.
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Cut the chicken wire into sections
Cutting the chicken wire into sections is an important step in installing it to prevent your dog from digging. It is recommended to cut the wire into smaller, more manageable lengths, such as 2-metre or 6-foot sections. This makes it easier to handle and install.
Before cutting the wire, it is important to measure the length of the fence where your dog is digging. Ensure you have enough wire to cover the entire area. Mark the areas where your dog is digging using stones or similar items, and then use a tape measure to determine the length of the fence.
When cutting the chicken wire, use appropriate safety gear, such as gloves, to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the wire. You can use wire cutters or strong scissors to cut through the wire.
Once you have cut the wire to the desired length, you will need to fold the bottom edge of each section. Fold approximately 5 inches of wire at a right angle to create an L-shape. This L-shaped foot will be placed in the trench, providing stability and making it more difficult for your dog to dig under.
After cutting and folding the chicken wire sections, you are ready to install them. Dig a trench along the bottom of the fence, and place the folded edge of the wire into the trench. Secure the wire with staples or landscape pins, and then backfill the trench with soil.
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Attach the chicken wire to the fence
To attach chicken wire to a fence to prevent your dog from digging, you can use U-shaped staples or cable ties, depending on the type of fence you have. If your fence is wooden, use staples to attach the top of the mesh to the fence. For metal fences, use cable ties. Keep the mesh tight to prevent sagging.
If you are placing the chicken wire on the ground, you can use landscape staples to hold it down. You can also use landscape pins to secure the wire to the ground. Place the pins tightly and evenly across the wire to prevent your dog from lifting it.
If you are placing the chicken wire in a trench, dig a 12-inch deep and 6-inch wide trench along the bottom of the fence. You can also dig a 30cm deep and 30cm wide trench, depending on the height of your fence. Place the chicken wire in the trench, folding the bottom 5 inches of wire at a right angle to form an L-shape. Place the wire in the trench with the L-shaped foot in the bottom of the hole.
Place a tie at the bottom and top of the chicken wire to prevent your dog from pulling the wire away from the fence. Pull the ties tight and cut off any excess plastic to prevent your dog from getting hurt. Place a few heavy rocks on the wire at the bottom of the trench and fill the trench with soil. Tamp the filled trench down with your feet to compact the soil and prevent your dog from digging in the soft ground.
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Fill the trench with soil and compact it
Once you've laid the chicken wire in the trench, it's time to fill it in. Use the soil you dug out earlier and toss it back into the trench, covering the chicken wire. Make sure you compact the soil by tamping it down with your feet or a tool. This step is important to deter your dog from digging in the soft ground. You can also add a thick layer of pea gravel, which drains better than soil and acts as an extra barrier.
If you're concerned about the soil sinking over time, you can opt for a different filling material. One suggestion is to use rocks or road pack instead of soil. Once it's packed down, it sets up very hard and provides a better deterrent to digging. It also drains better than soil. Any type of rock will work, and over time, it will work itself into the dirt and you won't even know it's there.
Another option is to use a thick layer of pea gravel or ca-6 white rock on top of the soil. This method also provides better drainage than just soil and creates a firmer barrier. You can also use landscape cloth instead of gravel or rock. Stake the landscape cloth tightly to the ground with landscape pins, and then place the chicken wire on top.
These methods will ensure that the trench is securely filled and compacted, deterring your dog from digging in that area.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cover the area where your dog digs with landscape cloth and stake it to the ground with landscape pins. Then, place chicken wire on top. You can also dig a trench along the bottom of the fence and place the chicken wire in the trench, bending the bottom few inches into an L-shape to secure it.
The trench should be around 12 inches deep and 6 inches wide.
Landscape pins or staples can be used to stake chicken wire to the ground.
Use U-shaped staples to attach chicken wire to a wooden fence. For a metal fence, use cable ties.
Some sources say that chicken wire is likely to cut pads when dogs start to dig, while others claim that it only takes one torn nail for the dog to stop digging.
