Doggy Fencing Damage

You love your pup and you love that your fence protects your pup. But sometimes your fence needs a little protection from your pup. Here are some of the ways that dogs can cause a damaged fence and what you can do to limit or avoid potential problems.



Jumping

Some excitable dogs jump all over the fence. Perhaps they are greeting the mail carrier or launching themselves at potential threats when other dogs pass by. 

Regardless, though fences are strong, many aren’t built to stand up to a large dog throwing themselves against it constantly. It’s not long before you have a damaged fence on your hands and will be in need of fence repair. 

Climbing

Other escape-artist type dogs may try to climb your backyard fence. This happens mostly with chain link fences or open-style wooden fences that provide convenient footholds for climbing. 

Over time, the extra weight hanging on the fence can cause the materials to crack, lean, or even fall over completely.

Digging

Some dogs go down instead of up and will enthusiastically dig around the base of your backyard fence. Not only does this tear up your landscaping, but also weakens the fence by removing some of the support. Digging combined with jumping or climbing is particularly damaging, as you can imagine.

Scratching or Chewing

Whether out of boredom or a need to soothe their teeth during puppy teething, some dogs may scratch or bite at your fence. 

Over time, this damages the protective coating, making your fence more susceptible to the elements. The damaged fence might not seem too bad at first, but eventually, you could be in serious need of fence repair.

Urinating

Dogs peeing on your fence is not only gross but also detrimental, particularly to wooden fences. Any kind of moisture accumulation can cause problems with your fence, facilitating mold, mildew, and other issues. 

Plus, because it’s pee and not just water, this action can discolor your fence and perhaps any grass or other vegetation around the base. 

Protect Your Fence From Your Pup

So what can you do about these issues? 

Some of the problems, like puppies chewing on the fence while teething, will probably be temporary. You can alleviate the issue by making sure your pup has plenty of chew toys that are more interesting than your backyard fence. Or eliminate the problem with a fence material they can’t chew on — like metal or vinyl. 

Behavioral issues such as jumping against the fence when people or dogs pass can be addressed through training. It takes time, but it’s a great bonding experience and your dog will be better behaved in general.

Some dogs will stop jumping when there is no visual stimulation. In other words, if they can’t see the people or dogs on the other side, they won’t throw themselves at the fence. Consider a privacy fence and make sure to cover any holes that your dog could use to see through.

Landscaping barriers such as hedges or decorative rocks can also help keep your dog away from your backyard fence. Lining the fence with rocks can help avoid problems with diggers. 

Need Help Choosing the Right Fence?

Whether you already have a pup or plan to get one, the right planning is vital. A good backyard fence will give you the peace of mind that your dog will be safe and happy while playing in your yard. 

Wondering about the best fencing choice for your needs? Or in need of fence repair because of an energetic pup? Talk to us here at Palisade Fencing Co. Our experts are happy to help!