If you’re a dog owner, you will likely need yard fencing for dogs to protect them and abide by local ordinances. A fence is a great way to keep your dog safe from traffic while allowing them to gallivant and enjoy your yard whenever they please. Likewise, you can let your dogs out to do their business without having to leash them up and take them on a walk yourself.
Small dogs can be escape artists, so it’s crucial to pick a fence type that will keep them and their curiosity safely contained. While portable dog fences work well for a couple of unmonitored minutes outside, chances are your dog will escape if they’re inclined to chase passers-by.
Ready to get started building a fence? Get comprehensive St. Petersburg fencing services from Gulf To Bay Fence. Read on to learn more about dog fence ideas so you can make an informed decision when the time comes.
Types of Fences for Dog Containment
With so many fence types on the market, it can be hard to narrow the selection down. Still, only a few fence models work well for yards with dogs. Some fences prioritize looks and won’t come sturdy enough to withstand a curious dog.
We’ve narrowed the selection down to five fence types and roughly arranged them by the amount of security they provide you and your pet.
Picket Fences
These short fences can feature decorative or scalloped post caps and tops with significant gaps between the slats. Typically, homeowners use this type for aesthetics – the staple of modern Americana – rather than total protection. However, they do a good enough job of keeping smaller pooches maintained.
Typically made from wood, you can get picket fences with prefabricated materials made from vinyl, PVC, and more. You can freely paint wooden pickets whichever color you choose, but the other variants typically come in pre-dyed neutral colors.
The most considerable downside to picket fences is how poorly they can perform for medium and large-sized dogs such as labs, golden retrievers, or pit bulls – especially when they want to get outside. These dogs can jump over the top of the fence, as picket fences are typically small in stature, and some dogs can chew through the slats! Even smaller, high-energy, and athletic dogs can vault the wall with enough effort.
This fence works well if you’re watching your dog, but you wouldn’t want to let your dog wander alone outside in your yard for the risk of them finding a way out. Still, this option works well for those who prefer the looks of a picket fence and maintain that they’ll always accompany their dogs outside.
Wide-Gap Metal Fences
This yard fencing for dogs typically includes a series of vertical metal poles and horizontal connecting rods (called pickets and rails, respectively) at the fence’s top and bottom. Altogether, the sections range from six to eight feet long and three to six feet tall.
These fences come built with the ideal cold climate fencing materials made from wrought iron or aluminum.
Make sure the gaps in the fences, typically three to four inches wide, are not so wide that your smaller dog will fit itself through. Extremely athletic dogs might jump this fence, but these fences are hard enough to climb for humans. Use this fence for medium to large dogs who cannot jump high.
Chain-Link Fences
One of the most easily recognizable fence types, chain-link fences, contains a series of steel poles and a long sheet of galvanized steel wire attached to the bars for structure.
Most commonly, these fences come in six-foot-tall variants, but you can go higher – up to 12 feet – depending on who you get to install the fence. Some chain-link fences come coated in colored vinyl to create a more appealing look.
This affordable fence option offers excellent durability. The taller you make the fence, the less likely your pup will jump over it. You can find plenty of fences that look nicer and provide more privacy, but this option works well for large properties that would cost a lot to fence with other variants.
Still, some dogs with incredible escape intent can chew through the connecting wires – so act accordingly.
Privacy Solid Fences
Otherwise known as shadowbox fences, these wood, PVC, or vinyl fences leave no gaps between the slats. This makes this fence type great for reactive dogs who bark or attempt to chase people they see near your yard.
You can build this inexpensive option well over six feet tall, removing the opportunity for your dog to jump over. Some dogs can climb these. However, the chances are slimmer, especially without gaps between the slats.
This option runs popular in urban areas where residents desire more privacy and where plenty of action that attracts the dog occurs on the other side of the fence.
Electric Fencing
Why not go with the yard fencing specifically built for dogs? Invisible or electric fencing works well if you don’t want to erect a physical fence. They operate with an electric radio signal or a wire-based unit that requires a trench dug around your yard. Regardless of your option, this yard fencing for dogs comes with a unique collar that will lightly shock your dog when they move across the boundaries.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the yard fencing for dogs that you choose, you will be able to rest assured that your furry friend can enjoy the wide-open space of your yard without accidentally putting themselves in danger.
Ready to get started with a new fencing project? Call Gulf To Bay Fence today, Aluminum fence contractors in Clearwater, at (727) 513-6763. Let’s make you a fence that works as well for you as it does for your dog.
