It's our responsibility as pet owners to keep our dogs safe. A big part of that is making sure that your dog always stays on your property. There are many ways to do that, and one of the easiest is by making your own DIY dog fence.
Fencing is the best way to ensure that your dog will stay in the yard. Some owners choose wireless options to avoid the sight of a physical fence. Some owners don't agree with using electronic stimulation, while the price of wireless fence systems are expensive too high for other pet parents.
Whether you're looking to save some money or you just prefer having a physical fence, there are a number of DIY dog fence options to choose from that are easy to install and budget-friendly. If you have a homeowner's association to answer to, be sure that the DIY fence you build meets all of their requirements.
DIY Dog Fence: How To Make One
As shown in the picture above, you can make a DIY dog fence with pallets. Some stores and warehouses will give away pallets for free. You may also be able to find them for just a couple of dollars each on local buy-and-sell sites.
You can make a pallet fence by placing stakes in the ground that are 1 pallet-length apart. Remember, you want to measure each pallet, as they may all be slightly different lengths. This video shows a great example of an easy DIY pallet fence:
If you're looking for an option that isn't as permanent as a pallet fence, you can make a dog fence with garden stakes and deer fencing. Drive the stakes into the ground about 5 feet apart. You can attach the deer fencing to metal stakes using zip ties. If you're using wooden stakes, you can use a staple gun to attach the fencing.
I like this option because the fence is easily moved. If you're renting your current home or plan to move in the near future, this fence option can be pulled up and taken with you. I also think that it's more aesthetically appealing than a bulky pallet fence.
Chicken wire can also be used to make an easy-to-move dog fence. No matter which materials you use, this option isn't going to be as sturdy as a pallet fence. If your dog is a climber, digger or other type of escape artist, this DIY dog fence option won't be a good choice.
If you're worried that your dog will jump over a homemade fence, you can always purchase taller stakes and do a double layer of fencing material. Homemade fences aren't as sturdy as professionally installed fencing products, but they are much cheaper.
If a DIY option isn't for you, you can also work on boundary training with your dog. As with any type of training, this is a gradual process. Your dog won't be ready to stay outside by himself for many weeks – maybe even months.
Wireless fences are also an option for most dogs. These types of fences also require proper training before you can leave your dog outside unattended. If you let your dog run loose right away, he'll end up getting an electronic correction without knowing what he's doing wrong. This will end up causing more harm than good.
No matter what type of fencing you decide to use, it's an important part of being a responsible dog owner. If you don't want to use any type of fencing, you'll need to keep your dog on a leash and stay with him at all times while he's outside. While any type of fencing is going to be an added expense, it will be well worth the investment.
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