Upkeeping and maintaining your fence and the outdoor spaces of your home may be an arduous affair, as these are exposed to a variety of environmental, external, and internal agents. For instance, pets (like dogs) would begin digging under the fence when they get bored and want to go outside the home to hunt. It is one of the most common problems affecting homeowners and the fences and homes they own. However, you can utilize a variety of deterrents to ensure that the dogs remain inside the house and that the fence and the boundary are not dug up. Below are some methods that you can use to ensure that pets, critters, and insects do not dig the fences and the boundaries.
Block the Surface by Digging a Trench
You can ensure that the dog cannot see through the gate and fence gaps by digging a trench. The trench can be approximately 10 cm deep and 10 cm wide and can be dug up beneath your gate. Once you dig the trench, you can fill it by using some post. Use a hammer for packing the post and for an even surface. Packing may also ensure that the gate can open easily. Pack it further by driving the nails through the different sides of the post. However, remember that you need the hard landscaping and fence posts for any outdoor use as they do not rot easily.
Layer Chicken Wire
You can put a layer of chicken wire under the trench area so that the dog or the pests cannot move over the surface or dig it easily. For the fence, you can dig a trench measuring a depth somewhere between 30 cm to 61 cm (somewhere between 1 to 2 feet) and a width of 30 cm (1ft) beneath the bottom of the fence. Once you put the chicken wire throughout the area you can also staple the wire to the trench for securing it. After putting chicken wire throughout the trench, you can again put some dirt for packing the trench. Remember to bend the secure chicken wire so that it takes an “L” design and shape and can extend back towards the yard slightly.
Use Rocks
You can also use some rocks for landscaping your outdoor space decoration and for ensuring that the dog and insects fail to dig under the fence. First, you need to remove all the current landscaping and grass from approximately one foot from the fence’s edge. You can do this easily by using gardening tools such as a hoe or shovel. Also, put some landscaping fabric to ensure that no weeds grow in the area. Now you can put the smooth and flat stones over the area and fill it for better aesthetics and usefulness. You can also plant some bushes or shrubs in the same region before you fill the rocks.
Train and Supervise your Pets
You can also supervise and train your dog (or any other pet) from time to time to ensure that they do not try to dig under the fence. You can scold the dog or can make a loud noise or clap whenever you find the pet digging under the fence. However, you need not raise the loudness of your voice or yell. You need to train the dog using a firm tone and by scolding. However, refrain from hitting the dog. It is good if the dog can learn and get trained by you. Remember that dogs can also be trained professionally. If you fail, you can hire the services of a professional dog trainer.
Create a Dig Pit
Dogs and other pets may have an urge to dig, which helps them release their excess energy and calms their inquisitiveness. You can create and have a dig or sand pit in your garden and an outdoor area where the dogs and pets can play whenever they want to. For creating a dig pit, you need to first remove all the current landscaping and grass in an area sized 4 feet by 4 feet. Once the soil is exposed, you can put some landscaping fabric in it and create a small wall of 15 cm around the square area by using landscaping stones or bricks. Now you can cover the area with dirt or sand.
Conclusion
Commercial and professional services may also be available for creating fences and for securing them from both internal and external threats and incidents. However, you can use the above-given measures to secure your fence and ensure that the dogs and insects do not dig it.