6 Best Dog Fences To Deter Digging Under Fences That Outsmart Diggers
Keep your dog from digging out with these 6 smart fences. We cover top solutions like buried barriers and L-footers to create a secure, escape-proof yard.
You turn your back for five minutes, and it happens. There’s a new pile of dirt by the fence line and a muddy nose on the wrong side of the barrier. A digging dog isn’t just a nuisance; on a hobby farm, it’s a serious liability that can lead to lost pets or trouble with livestock. Solving this problem for good requires more than just piling rocks in the hole—it requires outsmarting the digger.
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Key Features of an Effective Anti-Dig Fence
An effective anti-dig fence works on one simple principle: the barrier has to extend below the ground. Dogs are smart. They understand that a wall ends at the dirt, so they simply start their tunnel right at the base. Piling rocks or logs against the fence is a temporary fix that a determined dog will just excavate around.
The most reliable underground barrier is an "L-footer," also called a dig apron. This is a section of wire mesh attached to the bottom of your fence that extends at least 12-24 inches horizontally into the yard, just under the surface. When your dog tries to dig at the fence line, its paws hit this buried wire grid. They can’t get the leverage to dig through it, and the instinct to dig is thwarted.
Material choice is non-negotiable here. You need something that can withstand moisture, soil acidity, and a dog’s claws. Galvanized or vinyl-coated steel wire mesh is the gold standard. Anything less, like standard chicken wire, will rust out in a year or two, and you’ll be right back where you started. The goal is to build a solution that lasts, not one you have to repair every season.
Red Brand Welded Wire for DIY L-Footer Fences
When it comes to building your own L-footer, you want a material you can trust. Red Brand welded wire is a staple on farms for a reason. It’s tough, readily available at most feed or farm supply stores, and its galvanized coating holds up well to being buried.
The process is straightforward but labor-intensive. You’ll dig a shallow trench along your fence line, about 3-6 inches deep. You then lay a 24- or 36-inch wide roll of welded wire flat in the trench, creating the horizontal part of the "L." Secure the edge of the wire to the bottom of your existing fence with heavy-duty C-rings or wire, then backfill the trench with the soil and sod you removed.
The tradeoff is sweat equity for cost savings and customization. This is not a quick afternoon project, especially on a long fence line. But the result is a nearly invisible and incredibly effective barrier that you tailored perfectly to your property. It’s a permanent solution born from a weekend of hard work.
Dig Defence Animal Barrier: No-Dig Installation
If the thought of trenching your entire property line makes your back ache, Dig Defence is the answer. This product is essentially a series of heavy-gauge steel rod sections that you hammer directly into the ground against the base of your fence. There is no digging required.
The primary advantage is speed. You can secure a long stretch of fence in a fraction of the time it would take to dig a trench for an L-footer. This is a huge benefit for those with rocky soil, extensive tree roots, or simply limited time. The steel rods create a formidable underground spike wall that stops a dog’s digging efforts immediately.
However, consider your soil type and your dog’s determination. In very loose, sandy soil, a powerful dog might be able to bend or push the rods apart over time. It’s also a more expensive option upfront compared to a roll of welded wire. Dig Defence is an excellent choice for fast, effective installation in most soil conditions, but a DIY L-footer offers more complete, gap-free coverage.
Yardgard Chain Link with Tension Wire Bottom
Chain link is a classic for containing larger, stronger dogs, but its flexibility can be a weakness. A dog can easily lift the bottom edge to start a tunnel. The key to making chain link dig-proof is installing a bottom tension wire.
This is a heavy-gauge wire that is threaded through the bottom diamonds of the chain link fabric and stretched taut between the terminal posts. When properly tightened, it anchors the bottom of the fence firmly to the ground, preventing it from being lifted. It turns a flexible curtain into a rigid wall at the most critical point.
A tension wire is a fantastic first line of defense, but it doesn’t stop a dog that starts digging a few inches away from the fence. For a truly secure system, you should pair a tension wire with a buried barrier. The tension wire stops the lifting, and an L-footer or a product like Dig Defence stops the tunneling. Together, they create a layered defense that foils even the most clever escape artists.
PetSafe In-Ground Fence for Stubborn Diggers
Sometimes the problem isn’t just physical; it’s behavioral. For the dog that digs out of sheer determination or prey drive, a physical barrier might not be enough. This is where a PetSafe In-Ground Fence, or "invisible fence," can be a powerful secondary tool.
This system uses a buried wire to create a boundary. Your dog wears a special collar that emits a warning tone as it approaches the wire, followed by a harmless but startling static correction if it continues. It’s not about punishment; it’s about teaching the dog to respect a boundary zone near your physical fence. You’re training your dog to stay several feet away from the fence line, eliminating the temptation to dig in the first place.
It’s crucial to understand that this is a psychological barrier, not a physical one. It should always be used in combination with a sturdy physical fence. A highly motivated dog (chasing a deer, for example) might blow right through the static correction. Think of the in-ground fence as a training aid that reinforces the purpose of the physical fence, not as a standalone solution for a known digger.
Weatherables Vinyl Fence for Visual Barriers
Build 640 feet of durable, low-maintenance vinyl fence with this complete kit. It includes 240 rails and 81 posts with caps, crafted from weather-resistant, commercial-grade PVC.
Some dogs don’t dig to escape; they dig to get a better look at what’s on the other side. The neighbor’s dog, squirrels, or passing cars can be powerful triggers. In these cases, a solid privacy fence, like a vinyl fence from Weatherables, can solve the problem by simply removing the stimulus.
By blocking the line of sight, you eliminate the motivation. The dog can no longer see the things that trigger its prey drive or territorial instincts. For many dogs, this is enough to stop the digging behavior completely. Out of sight, out of mind.
Of course, a vinyl fence itself isn’t dig-proof. A determined digger will still try to go under it. To make it secure, you must install it with a buried footer. This can be a concrete base poured during installation or a wire mesh L-footer added afterward. The vinyl panel provides the visual block, while the underground component provides the physical one.
Tenax Hardware Net: A Strong Buried Barrier
If you like the L-footer concept but find working with heavy steel mesh cumbersome, Tenax Hardware Net is an excellent alternative. It’s a rigid, heavy-duty plastic (polypropylene) netting that is surprisingly strong but much lighter and easier to handle than galvanized wire.
Because it’s plastic, it will never rust. This makes it a fantastic choice for burying in wet or acidic soils where even galvanized steel might eventually corrode. It’s also easier to cut with snips and won’t leave you with scratched-up hands after installation. You install it just like a wire L-footer: dig a shallow trench, lay it flat, and secure it to the fence base.
The main tradeoff is sheer brute strength. While Tenax is very tough and will stop the vast majority of digging dogs, it’s not as indestructible as 12- or 14-gauge welded steel wire. A very large, powerful dog with an obsessive chewing habit could potentially damage it over time. For most situations, however, it’s a durable, user-friendly, and long-lasting solution.
Combining Fencing with Behavioral Training
No fence, no matter how well-built, can replace the need to address why your dog is digging in the first place. Digging is often a symptom of a larger issue, like boredom, separation anxiety, or a lack of exercise. A secure fence is your safety net, but training is the real solution.
Start by making your yard more engaging than the world outside it. Increase daily exercise, introduce puzzle toys to provide mental stimulation, and spend more quality time playing with your dog. For dogs with an innate need to dig, create a designated "digging pit"—a sandbox or a specific area of loose soil where they are allowed and even encouraged to dig. This redirects the behavior to an acceptable outlet.
The ultimate strategy is a combination of a secure fence and proactive training. The fence provides immediate safety and prevents escapes while you work on the underlying behavior. One reinforces the other. A great fence buys you the peace of mind and the time needed to build a better relationship with your dog, ensuring they are happy and safe right where they belong.
Ultimately, outsmarting a digging dog is about creating layers of defense. It starts with a physical barrier that extends below ground and is complemented by addressing the behavioral reasons for the digging. By choosing the right materials and pairing them with consistent training, you can build a system that keeps your animals safe and your fence line intact.
