So, this is my first post (of probably many!) in our journey to getting ready for dog ownership! I have a decent size garden (about 30m long x around 10m wide). Both sides are flanked with conifers, one backed up by a fence with concrete posts and gravel boards, the other by a chain link type fence. The back of the garden has more shrubs, trees, etc. with a 6ft fench at the very back. My obvious concern is the chain link fence. Although the conifer itself is probably dense enough (and tall enough) to stop a dog getting through, I'm under no illusions that a dog could crawl underneath. The chain link is damaged to a point whereby any dog could push under it, when we had cats they simply walked through it in places. In an ideal world, I would replace the fence. However, this is practically not possible for a few reasons. Obviously financially its a large cost, but the bigger issue here is more to do with the fence being my neighbors responsibility. The neighbors house is owned by a housing association, and my neighbor sees no reason for him to spend money repairing or replacing the fence, especially as in his eyes the conifers are more than an adequate boundary. This extends to sharing the cost between us, so we would have to bear the full cost of replacement. Two other issues are they they do not want a 6ft fence, and they probably wouldnt like us having to have access to their property to complete any replacement work. So finally, here is my question! Is there any method of making the bottoms of the conifers secure without the need for a new fence? I was perhaps thinking of using wooden boards to close the gaps between the conifer trunks, and then build a fence using something (deer netting?) that the conifer could engulf as it grows. Sorry for the long post, I wanted to pre-empt any questions!
I'm not sure if I have the correct picture in my mind, but would one possibility be to put chicken wire up against the chain link fence to fill the gaps between the fence and the ground? You could dig the chicken wire into the ground so that it was securely against the fence - at least, secure enough for supervised access to the garden (which is presumably all you want with a new puppy?) You could attach it with stakes and cable ties for an easy fix. I also wonder if part of the trick is making sure that the pup never learns that there is a gap there. Jess still has never tried to jump the baby gate between the kitchen and the rest of the house, even though she could easily clear it now - I think it's just never occurred to her that it's possible! So, it's great that you're thinking about this before your puppy arrives.
Thanks for the reply! Yeah that could be possible, although I still need to get into the neighbors garden to do that. I'll certainly consider that as an option! I hope that the puppy wont find the gaps, of course, I just want to be prepared! Our cats have kind of made a tunnel in certain places, so its kind of obvious. I'll focus on these areas to be sure. I've just thought of something else too! I'll need to do something to stop an adult dog jumping onto the shed! We have a smaller storage unit in from on the shed which is the perfect height for a stepping stone!
This is exactly what we used , chicken wire ! Our garden is walled on three sides but the one side is bounded by massive leylandi , belonging to the owner of that house . We used chicken wire on our side of the trees , it worked just fine . I think, where pups are concerned , always assume that they can escape, until you are 100% sure that they cant !
Although we have high fencing on all sides, our puppy when very young started digging furiously up against the fence. To temporarily stop her we quickly filled the holes in and placed a huge ceramic plant pot over one hole and the BBQ gas cylinder over the other! This was enough to deter her and she has not done any more digging. We don't leave her in the garden unsupervised though. I only mention all this because I was amazed at how quickly she dug the holes so I understand your concern.
We have quite a large garden, so in some areas we have simply banged rounded wooden stakes and stapled black reinforced deer netting across. It works a treat and doesn't look too ugly either
Thanks for responding. Thats exactly why I want to be prepared. If he/she knows they can escape, they will try and try again! Good to know that that idea works. Thanks
For me in my area it's more a way to deter theft. I have very secure 6 foot fencing all round my garden and locked gates. I never leave my dogs unattended in the garden. We have had dogs stolen from gardens round her and I never advertise that I have a dog. No beware of the dogs signs or a lab lives here signs. I've also used stock fencing in the passed that very good
