10 Cheap Ways To Keep Dogs From Digging Under The Fence

The cheapest way to keep a dog from digging under the fence is to block the bottom of it, either by burying the fence line deeper or by laying an “L-footer” of chicken wire or hardware cloth along the base, and then tackle the reason your dog is digging (usually boredom, prey drive, hormones or anxiety). Here are 10 cheap ways to keep your pup from digging under the fence…and what NOT to do.

5 Cheapest Solutions To Stop A Dog From Digging

Make sure you have a sturdy fence foundation
Bury The Bottom Portion of The Fence
Remove any sight behind the fence
Wire The Bottom of The Fence
Provide more exercise to your dog

Why do dogs dig under the fence?

Maybe your pup’s got an itch to wander and explore, or he’s looking for a sweet escape from the everyday ruckus.

Whatever it is, understanding why dogs dig under the fence can help you prevent further digging. Here are some of the most common reasons:

Boredom: Is your dog a bored brainiac? Smart breeds like border collies, poodles, and German shepherds need plenty of mental stimulation. If the pup’s been stuck with the same toys (or none at all!) for too long, he just may be digging to find a little excitement.
Can’t Resist the Call of Prey: When your pup spots a squirrel and gets an urge he just can’t shake, some dogs are more likely to take flight than others. Sighthounds, scent hounds, and terriers have a particularly hard time staying put when they see something on the other side of their fence. So if you find yourself needing fence repairs every now and again, you know why!
Unneutered male: Ah, Nature. Unfixed male dogs will do anything to find a female in heat, even if it means digging right under the fence! Yep, escape’s on their mind when they get a whiff of that irresistible smell. So, to avoid this little hiccup you might want to invest in spay and neuter services.
Fear or anxiety: Loud noises like fireworks and thunderstorms, or being left alone for long periods, can make some dogs try to escape. If your dog mostly digs out when you’re away or during storms, anxiety may be the cause, and it’s worth talking to your vet or a qualified trainer.

10 cheap methods that keep dogs from digging under the fence:

So, how do they do it? They’re experts at digging, dogs are naturally pretty good at making an escape plan via their digging skills. Fences don’t stand a chance when it comes to a determined pup.

Here are 10 cheap methods you can try to prevent your pup from digging his way out. Let’s dig into the details.

1Make sure you have a sturdy fence foundation

Don’t try to cut corners when it comes to getting a sturdy fence foundation! Sure, dirt might seem like the cheap option, but trust us, your pup’s gonna be tunneling right on outta there if you go down that road.

Opt for bricks or concrete as they won’t move around as easily. Set fence posts about one-third of their above-ground height into the ground (or in concrete) so the fence is stable, and make sure the fence panels or mesh reach right down to the ground with no gaps.

Don’t forget to run sturdy metal stakes along the bottom too, as they will help brace your fence against any escape attempts! Plus, these materials should last you a good long while and save you some cash in the long run.

Some cheap alternatives are to use gravel, stones, bricks, or even wood chips. Make sure it’s packed down tight and it should help keep your pup from digging out.

2Bury The Bottom Portion of The Fence

Even simpler, is burying your current fence deeper into the ground. Digging a trench and burying the bottom portion of your fence could be a cheap option if you’re not looking to replace it.

As long as the top of your fence is tall enough, this should do just fine in keeping your pup from digging its way out. Just make sure that you update the height so they can’t jump over, just in case.

Don’t forget to pack the soil down tight too! Your pup might be crafty enough to feel out any loose spots and start tunneling their way out again.

3Remove any sight behind the fence

Removing any sight behind the fence could also deter your pup from escaping if they’re inclined to do so. Dogs get curious when they see something new and exciting, including other animals or people that might be lurking around the area beyond the fence line.

If there’s nothing worth sniffing out back there, your pup is less likely to try and dig its way out. So, make sure your fence line is clear of any distractions and your pup won’t have the itch to escape!

5 materials that you can use to cover sight holes:

Cardboard
Fabric
Plywood
Fence slats
Lattice panels

4Wire The Bottom of The Fence

One of the cheapest and most effective fixes is an “L-footer”: a strip of chicken wire or galvanized hardware cloth attached to the bottom of the fence and laid flat on the ground, pointing into your yard. When your dog starts digging at the fence line, he hits the wire and gives up.

To make one:

Use a roll of wire mesh roughly 2 to 3 feet wide.
Attach one edge to the bottom of the fence with zip ties, staples, or hog rings.
Lay the rest flat along the ground on the inside of the fence, extending about 1 to 2 feet into the yard.
Pin it down with landscape staples and cover it with soil, mulch, or gravel so grass can grow through it.

Check that the cut edges are bent under or covered so your dog can’t catch his paws on sharp wire.

5Provide more exercise

Maybe your pup’s feeling cooped up and wants to explore the great beyond, no wonder they’re digging! To solve this problem without breaking the bank, why not tire them out with a little exercise?

Take your pup on walks to different places, let them meet some furry friends, give them some interactive toys and games. Have a game of fetch with them or whatever they like, let your pup have fun and hopefully stop the digging!

6Dog-Safe Digging Deterrents

You may sigh if you hear the word deterrents, but they can be worth a shot if your pup won’t stay away from under the fence.

The effectiveness of deterrents depends mostly on the dog, but diluted vinegar or a pet-safe spray could be a cheap way to keep your pal from digging.

Just remember to test out a small portion of the fence first, as these solutions could discolor wood or other materials. Hey, if nothing else works, it’s worth a try!

7Add some new garden features

You can spruce up your landscape with a few cleverly placed trees, rocks, and gravel to deter your pup from digging out. Dense shrubs planted along the fence line can make it harder to reach the base; just make sure anything you plant is non-toxic to dogs.

If your dog simply loves to dig, give him a legal place to do it: a small sandbox or a designated corner of loose soil where you bury toys and treats for him to find. Praise him when he digs there, and the fence line becomes a lot less interesting.

And remember, it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can definitely create a nice-looking landscape on the cheap.

8Investigate your dog's digging

It’s essential to get to the root of your pup’s digging problem. Is it an escape attempt? A desire to bury some treasure? Or something else entirely? A doggy cam can figure out what’s really going on.

And, at the very least, you’ll have some funny footage of their digging antics! So start snooping around and get to the bottom of this burrowing mystery!

9Neuter / Spay Your Dog

As we said before, unneutered dogs are so desperate to find a mate that nothing can keep them in your yard!

Neutering or spaying often helps: it usually reduces the urge to roam in search of a mate, which means less digging to get out. There are other benefits too, like:

3 Benefits Of Neutering Your Dog

Removing the risk of testicular cancer in males, and lowering the risk of uterine infections and mammary tumors in females
Preventing unplanned litters and dog overpopulation
Fewer hormone-driven behaviors, such as roaming and marking

Sure, it’s not the cheapest option, and the best timing can depend on your dog’s breed and size, so talk to your vet about when it makes sense for your dog.

10Make sure he has a restful place

Make sure your pup’s got a nice, comfy spot in the yard to relax and kick back. It may be due to a lack of security or comfort that they’re trying to escape. Deck out their area with blankets, toys, and plenty of shade, so they don’t feel the need to jet off for some excitement outside the fence.

What NOT To Do to Stop Digging Dogs

It’s just as important to know what not to do when it comes to keeping your pup from digging under the fence. To make sure you’re not making any mistakes, here are a few things you should definitely avoid:

1Don’t Punish Your Dog

No scolding your pup long after a digging incident, it won’t do any good! If you catch him in the act, calmly interrupt him and redirect him to something else. But don’t expect that punishment later will help: he’ll just be confused and none the wiser.

As seen in a study published in PLOS ONE, aversive, punishment-based training can harm your dog’s welfare and leave him more stressed.

2Don’t Use Anything That Could Hurt Your Dog

No way Jose! You should never use aggressive chemicals and sharp objects to keep your pup from digging, that’s just not on. Stick to the gentler methods outlined here, you don’t want to risk hurting your pup.

3Don’t Fill The Hole With Water

Some might think that filling the hole with water will stop the digging, but it won’t. It could even make your dog want to explore further if they’re a fan of playing in puddles. So don’t just put water in the hole, take some time to use our 10 tips to actually fix the problem.

Final thoughts – Where’s my dog?

Wrapping it up, there is no need to break the bank on keeping your dog from escaping. There are plenty of low-cost options that don’t require a ton of effort (as seen above).

A little bit of work now could save you from a lot of trouble (and heartache) in the future, right?

Is your dog also digging in other parts of the garden? Then you may want to read our article on cheap ways to cover dirt in your backyard!