Hi folks, am in the middle of replacing a dog ear 6ft tall fence in all the
backyard. The old one had a wood barrier dug down about 6 inches. Rotted
out over time obviously.

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from digging
under? Lacking better answer I was thinking interlocking largish paving
stones as a possible. Not hard to put in place but enough for my dog.

"cshenk" wrote in message
...
Hi folks, am in the middle of replacing a dog ear 6ft tall fence in all
the backyard. The old one had a wood barrier dug down about 6 inches.
Rotted out over time obviously.

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from digging
under? Lacking better answer I was thinking interlocking largish paving
stones as a possible. Not hard to put in place but enough for my dog.

If I had a dog that liked to dig I think I would use a single strand
electric fence about 6" off the ground.

A single strand of barbed wire would save the same purpose but might involve
a vet bill or two before the dog learned not to dig.

Colbyt

cshenk wrote:
Hi folks, am in the middle of replacing a dog ear 6ft tall fence in all
the backyard. The old one had a wood barrier dug down about 6 inches.
Rotted out over time obviously.

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from
digging under? Lacking better answer I was thinking interlocking
largish paving stones as a possible. Not hard to put in place but
enough for my dog.

Pavers would work, but unless you happen to have a pile of old ones
sitting around, it'd be pretty spendy. Traditional material was the
heavy galvanized hardware cloth, the kind that is so stiff you buy it
sheets, not rolls, if you can find it anywhere. Try to catch the dirt in
spring when it is soft, and make a slit with a long flat trenching
shovel, and work the fabric down as far as you can. Tie the top to the
fence with a screwed-in place horizontal rail, so you can replace a
section easily if it rots out. Sort of a heavy-duty version of what
gardeners do to keep rabbits and such from coming in under the fence
around their fresh sprouting veggies.

--
aem sends...

Colbyt hit the nail on the head. An electric fence is the way to go.
They will not go near the fence after they get zapped once. I've used
them for years. Larry

Lp1331 1p1331 wrote:
Colbyt hit the nail on the head. An electric fence is the way to go.
They will not go near the fence after they get zapped once. I've used
them for years. Larry


There is a tape style electric fence for horses. That might be a
good thing for dogs also. Rover might not go anywhere near that tape
once he learns that it bites. The OP might be able to use that tape in
other places without heating it up.

On Sat, 6 Mar 2010 19:01:24 -0600, (Lp1331 1p1331)
wrote:

Colbyt hit the nail on the head. An electric fence is the way to go.
They will not go near the fence after they get zapped once. I've used
them for years. Larry

Yeah, but...

http://www.sibes.org/Sdo/Content/Ima.../A000245_3.jpg

How about a role of metal flashing, cut to fit?

On Mar 6, 2:11*pm, "cshenk" wrote:
Hi folks, am in the middle of replacing a dog ear 6ft tall fence in all the
backyard. *The old one had a wood barrier dug down about 6 inches. *Rotted
out over time obviously.

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from digging
under? *Lacking *better answer I was thinking interlocking largish paving
stones as a possible. *Not hard to put in place but enough for my dog.

Dig a very narrow trench, and dump a bag of concrete mix in. Spray
with a little water and cover. Moisture from the ground will harden
up the rest of it to make a long continuous dog-proof barrier on the
cheap.

On Sat, 6 Mar 2010 23:14:00 -0800 (PST), mike
wrote:

On Mar 6, 2:11*pm, "cshenk" wrote:
Hi folks, am in the middle of replacing a dog ear 6ft tall fence in all the
backyard. *The old one had a wood barrier dug down about 6 inches. *Rotted
out over time obviously.

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from digging
under? *Lacking *better answer I was thinking interlocking largish paving
stones as a possible. *Not hard to put in place but enough for my dog.

Dig a very narrow trench, and dump a bag of concrete mix in. Spray
with a little water and cover. Moisture from the ground will harden
up the rest of it to make a long continuous dog-proof barrier on the
cheap.

I think you underestimate the strength & determination of a digging
dog and overestimate the strength of concrete mixed that way. Fine
for a post hole where there is only an occasional sidewards thump---
not so good for abrasion resistance.

I've never owned a digger- but the only dogfence I've ever installed
was a 2x wire welded fence that went 6" below the surface- then was
folded in for 6". That was on the recommendation of a coon hunter
who had a few blueticks that liked to dig.

This site says to leave 1' of fence right on the surface-
http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Dog-from-Digging

Jim

On Mar 6, 4:11*pm, "cshenk" wrote:
Hi folks, am in the middle of replacing a dog ear 6ft tall fence in all the
backyard. *The old one had a wood barrier dug down about 6 inches. *Rotted
out over time obviously.

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from digging
under? *Lacking *better answer I was thinking interlocking largish paving
stones as a possible. *Not hard to put in place but enough for my dog.

I can tell you what worked and didn't work for me. My dogs dug around
my garden and 6' privacy fence and deck. My neighbor's dogs dug from
the outside. I had a dog that chewed at the fence too to get out.

WORKED:
1. piled big stones along the bottom and also planted steel
fabric about 6" down.
2. spent more time in the back with my dogs and shamed them when
they started to dig.
3. buried all of the holes (from my side) as soon as they
appeared.
4. covered the open slits with strip wood so that the dogs could
not see to the other side. I bought landscaping fabric to try this
too but never got around to using it.

THOUGHT ABOUT USING:
1. low voltage wire electric fence.
2. some sort of sound generator or spring loaded devise to scare
them is they started to dig.
3. poured concrete footing.

DIDN'T WORK:
1. ground Cayenne pepper sprinkled on the ground
2. wood chips poured into the hole

good luck

phil

"cshenk" wrote

Hi folks, am in the middle of replacing a dog ear 6ft tall fence in all
the backyard. The old one had a wood barrier dug down about 6 inches.
Rotted out over time obviously.

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from digging
under? Lacking better answer I was thinking interlocking largish paving
stones as a possible. Not hard to put in place but enough for my dog.

Hi folks, thanks for all the excellent suggestions! I didnt add enough info
here above (silly me, didn't realize it).

This is a dog who digs enough to make a patch to lay in but just for the fun
of it (not a boredom related thing, and not by the fence as in trying to
escape).

It has also to do with potential neighbor dogs (back and one side are
renters), some of whom have been diggers. I can't use an electric fence on
their side and don't need that level on my end (fortunately, but it's *spot
on* for those who do!) In fact, for any other dog owners with a problem
digger, it's the easiest yet effective method and not all that expensive.
They are low voltage and quite safe. The only drawback is they won't do
diddly squat to keep a neighbor dog from dugging under your fence to come
play with your pooch (grin).

I liked the idea of the trench with cement up along the sides. The paving
stone idea was a simpler method (wasnt thinking expensive ones, but can get
them pretty easy off freecycle here). I figured if a pooch did try to dig
under the stones, they'd just drop down and frustrate any normal one into
giving up.

cshenk wrote:
"cshenk" wrote

Hi folks, am in the middle of replacing a dog ear 6ft tall fence in
all the backyard. The old one had a wood barrier dug down about 6
inches. Rotted out over time obviously.

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from
digging under? Lacking better answer I was thinking interlocking
largish paving stones as a possible. Not hard to put in place but
enough for my dog.

Hi folks, thanks for all the excellent suggestions! I didnt add enough
info here above (silly me, didn't realize it).

This is a dog who digs enough to make a patch to lay in but just for the
fun of it (not a boredom related thing, and not by the fence as in
trying to escape).

It has also to do with potential neighbor dogs (back and one side are
renters), some of whom have been diggers. I can't use an electric fence
on their side and don't need that level on my end (fortunately, but it's
*spot on* for those who do!) In fact, for any other dog owners with a
problem digger, it's the easiest yet effective method and not all that
expensive. They are low voltage and quite safe. The only drawback is
they won't do diddly squat to keep a neighbor dog from dugging under
your fence to come play with your pooch (grin).

I liked the idea of the trench with cement up along the sides. The
paving stone idea was a simpler method (wasnt thinking expensive ones,
but can get them pretty easy off freecycle here). I figured if a pooch
did try to dig under the stones, they'd just drop down and frustrate any
normal one into giving up.

Is this a warm-weather thing? Is your dog a long-hair? I've seen them
dig sleeping spots to stay cool, since the dirt draws heat better than
grass. Interesting smells in the dirt are sometimes another temptation
for them. A shaded open-sided mini-carport next to the dog house, raised
up so it catches the breezes, may prove entertaining. Pavers would be
great for that, covered with one of those rubber floor mats in a
non-heat-catching color. (But you want it to be something you can hose
off, so not carpet scraps.)

--
aem sends...

On Mar 7, 3:07*am, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
On Sat, 6 Mar 2010 23:14:00 -0800 (PST), mike

wrote:
On Mar 6, 2:11 pm, "cshenk" wrote:
Hi folks, am in the middle of replacing a dog ear 6ft tall fence in all the
backyard. The old one had a wood barrier dug down about 6 inches. Rotted
out over time obviously.

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from digging
under? Lacking better answer I was thinking interlocking largish paving
stones as a possible. Not hard to put in place but enough for my dog.

Dig a very narrow trench, and dump a bag of concrete mix in. *Spray
with a little water and cover. *Moisture from the ground will harden
up the rest of it to make a long continuous dog-proof barrier on the
cheap.

I think you underestimate the strength & determination of a digging
dog and overestimate the strength of concrete mixed that way. * *Fine
for a post hole where there is only an occasional sidewards thump---
not so good for abrasion resistance.

I've never owned a digger- but the only dogfence I've ever installed
was a 2x wire welded fence that went 6" below the surface- then was
folded in for 6". * *That was on the recommendation of a coon hunter
who had a few blueticks that liked to dig.

This site says to leave 1' of fence right on the surface-http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Dog-from-Digging

Jim

1. Concrete mix requires very little water to cure. A very thin
trench will allow soil water access to all the concrete. Concrete is
usually weakened from using too much water, rather than too little.

2. I didn't say what depth to use. Look at the dog in question and
make your best estimate.

3. Have you ever seen a dog dig through concrete? I've never even
seen one even scratch the surface. Dog claws simply aren't that hard.

On Mar 7, 7:23*am, "cshenk" wrote:
"cshenk" wrote

Hi folks, am in the middle of replacing a dog ear 6ft tall fence in all
the backyard. *The old one had a wood barrier dug down about 6 inches..
Rotted out over time obviously.

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from digging
under? *Lacking *better answer I was thinking interlocking largish paving
stones as a possible. *Not hard to put in place but enough for my dog..

Hi folks, thanks for all the excellent suggestions! *I didnt add enough info
here above (silly me, didn't realize it).

This is a dog who digs enough to make a patch to lay in but just for the fun
of it (not a boredom related thing, and not by the fence as in trying to
escape).

It has also to do with potential neighbor dogs (back and one side are
renters), some of whom have been diggers. *I can't use an electric fence on
their side and don't need that level on my end (fortunately, but it's *spot
on* for those who do!) *In fact, for any other dog owners with a problem
digger, it's the easiest yet effective method and not all that expensive.
They are low voltage and quite safe. *The only drawback is they won't do
diddly squat to keep a neighbor dog from dugging under your fence to come
play with your pooch (grin).

I liked the idea of the trench with cement up along the sides. *The paving
stone idea was a simpler method (wasnt thinking expensive ones, but can get
them pretty easy off freecycle here). *I figured if a pooch did try to dig
under the stones, they'd just drop down and frustrate any normal one into
giving up.

You *fill* the trench with concrete, not line it (in case that's what
you were imagining). It's quite easy. It'll leave you with an
underground strip of concrete to whatever depth you feel like digging.

"aemeijers" wrote
cshenk wrote:

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from
digging under? Lacking better answer I was thinking interlocking
largish paving stones as a possible. Not hard to put in place but
enough for my dog.

Hi folks, thanks for all the excellent suggestions! I didnt add enough
info here above (silly me, didn't realize it).

This is a dog who digs enough to make a patch to lay in but just for the
fun of it (not a boredom related thing, and not by the fence as in trying
to escape).

Is this a warm-weather thing? Is your dog a long-hair? I've seen them dig
sleeping spots to stay cool, since the dirt draws heat better than grass.
Interesting smells in the dirt are sometimes another temptation for them.

He's a mixed dog that at first glance seems mostly beagle (onely tan and
white, not the other sort that has tri-color). Means short but thick coat.

More cold tolerant than his coat would indicate, he has problems with heat.
Yes, he digs more in summer if we let him out long enough. We are careful
to not let him out more than a few mins when it hits over 85 here.

A shaded open-sided mini-carport next to the dog house, raised up so it
catches the breezes, may prove entertaining. Pavers would be great for
that, covered with one of those rubber floor mats in a non-heat-catching
color. (But you want it to be something you can hose off, so not carpet
scraps.)

Now this I would like to explore as well. He has no doghouse (not being an
outdoor dog) but I bet he would like one. Let me throw the best one at you.
We are seeing if a new rescue dog can work in with our dog and cat. 'Apple'
spent the afternoon here.

http://www.k9newlife.org/dogs_for_adoption_2/apple.html

She's sweet as can be and got along well with Cash. Suprisingly the cat
came out to meet her and played a bit with her. At least, several friendly
sniffs. Not quite to the 'sleeping in sin' together level but that takes a
few days ;-)

So, I need a double doggie house ;-)

"tenkill" wrote
"cshenk" wrote:

What simple solutions have the rest of you used to keep a dog from
digging
under? Lacking better answer I was thinking interlocking largish paving
stones as a possible. Not hard to put in place but enough for my dog.

I can tell you what worked and didn't work for me.

Thank you! That was an excellent detailed message.

On Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:35:23 -0500, aemeijers
wrote:

.... .

Pavers would work, but unless you happen to have a pile of old ones
sitting around, it'd be pretty spendy. Traditional material was the
heavy galvanized hardware cloth

That would be my choice. Where I live if I were to put an
electric fence in and a neighbor kid got zapped, I would end up in
jail. I think I will skip that idea.