Fence Safety How to Keep Your Dog Safe With Yearly DIY Fence Checks
With the fall season here and the winter soon approaching, chances are you will have all sorts of critters scurrying about your yard looking for nuts, berries, and other bites of food to store away. Chances are your dog knows this too, and will enjoy this opportunity to do a little game of cat and mouse in your backyard. So what does this have to do with fence safety? Making sure your fences are in good condition is the best way to avoid some potential injuries. Rabbits and squirrels can scurry under a fence in seconds, and if your dog tried to go after them, a broken or weak fence can cause them some serious damage. So what can you do? Take a look below at some important information about fence safety and your dog!
1. Inspect the fence bases.
Take a few moments to walk through your yard and inspect the bases of your fence. This would be where the bottom of the fence meets the lawn. Look for any damaged links, bent metal, or holes. Chances are this is where critters will escape, and if your dog tries to push his way through he can be cut, or even strangled if caught.
2. Give wood fencing a second look.
Over time, wood fencing can splinter and large slivers can develop. Take a few minutes to go through and sand any splintering so the fence is nice and smooth. Should your dog rub up against the fencing, he will now avoid any skin splinters or lacerations.
3. Measure your picket fencing.
Picket fencing is lovely, but smaller dogs can become stuck through the slats if they are just big enough to get their head through. Double check the slats on your picket fencing and if your dog can fit his head through, line the back of it with some chicken wire.
4. Develop a dog’s eye view.
It sounds silly, but take a moment to look at your fencing the way your dog sees it. Get down to their level and inspect it. Look for any damage that needs to be fixed, holes, rusting, insect nests, or any other area that could pose harm.
5. Install a proper latch.
You can avoid your dog getting lose and injured by making sure your gate latches are strong. Find a latch that clasps well and won’t come lose when the weather and elements get harsh.
By following these tips, you can easily avoid injury to your dog. This way, they can still have tons of backyard fun in an environment that is safe but still allows them some freedom. So give these fence safety tips a try and give your dog a backyard he or she can enjoy!
Do you have any Fence Safety Tips you would like to share?
This is a great resource and reminder. We have a shared back yard that we never use but I’ll share this with friends whose dogs frequent their yards. Thank you!
BoingyDog recently posted..Work the Walk Dog Walking Challenge, Day 1
What brilliant tips – I especially like the idea of getting down on your dogs level!
Lauranne recently posted..I don’t need him… I want him
Very good information. Clearly, my pawrents need to do a reinspection. Our cedar fencing is gettting old and last year one panel fell during a storm (which daddy quickly replaced).
Thank you – WOOF!
Great reminders for everyone. I walk the perimeter of our yard regularly to make sure nothings worked its way loose.
SlimDoggy recently posted..Give Cancer the Paw
A good way to protect your yard. Thanks for the tips!
Michelle Liew recently posted..Canine curiosity
Well reminded – thank you!
Excellent tips. Thanks for the reminders!
Miss Harper Lee recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Geaux Tigers, Beat Bama
Pawsome tips! Thank you!
Flea recently posted..Dogs I Met in Louisiana (and Gave Treats To)
Thank you for the tips on how to do a yearly inspection =)
Cattle Aussies recently posted..Bella the Helpful Heeler
Great tips. Many don’t think about walking their own fences to see if there is any holes or such. We found out long ago that we had a hole in ours and this is how Scooby kept getting IN. Now he is part of the family so ma fixed it to keep him from getting OUT
carma Poodale recently posted..WW-Fall Fun
You could try the IntelliLeash System. This is a humane alternative to invisible fences. No shock, no tangling, and no escaping from the yard. It can be programmed so your dog can’t reach the fence.
Bob Yackley recently posted..IntelliLeash™ – The Safe Dog Containment System
We have had a fence put up to keep our dog safe, but I never thought to inspect the fence itself. You have a good point though, a broken or weak fence really could do some damage. I need to do a better job at looking over the fence’s base.