FINDING THE PERFECT FENCE FOR YOUR DOGS

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), in a 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey, somewhere around 85 million American families own a pet. Dog owners love their pets and want to keep them safe and happy. They also want their family dogs to have boundaries that prevent them from frightening or bothering walkers, joggers, or neighbors passing by their homes.

If you want to keep your dog in your backyard, you are probably going to want to invest in a sturdy, handsome, fence. But purchasing a barrier that is compatible with your home’s style and architecture, along with one that is sturdy, durable, and affordable, is not always easy. Add to that list the necessity of providing protection, and you may be facing a decision-making challenge.

BENEFITS OF A DOG-FRIENDLY FENCE

You will need a fence that will:

• Keep your dog from leaving the yard 
• Allow passers-by to avoid unwanted interaction with your pet
• Be high enough to deter your dog from jumping over it
• Not splinter or cut you or your pet
• Make your dogs’ bathroom breaks more convenient

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST FENCE FOR DOGS

Your dog needs exercise every day. Having a fenced-in yard is essential for owners who live in a suburban setting and cannot walk their dogs every day. K9 of Minemakes these suggestions concerning dog-proof fencing:

1. INSTALLATION

Many types of fencing are exceptionally forthright and easy to install, even with a limited amount of DIY experience. In most cases, however, you will need some assistance to complete the job. 

Wooden Fence

• Check local codes and homeowners’ association guidelines.
• Ask if a permit is necessary.
• Make a layout.
• Dig post holes.
• Set fence posts.
• Line up posts with string.
• Install fence rails.
• Install pickets.
• Install gate.
• After the wood dries for a few months, you may stain or paint the fence every few years.

Metal Fence

• Research local regulations on metal fence installation.
• Consider soil and slopes to decide on installation methods.
• Determine how many posts are necessary for the area to be fenced.
• Position the end posts and, then, the intermediate posts.
• Use either concrete or screw piles to set your posts.
• Install the metal mesh.

Chain Link Fence

• Dig post holes after determining the area to be fenced.
• Install corner, gate, and end posts first.
• Pour concrete around posts.
• Run string to line up poles.
• Allow the concrete cure for a couple of days.
• Place anchor breaks into the ground around the posts.
• Specific tools are necessary for chain link fence installations.

Vinyl Fencing

• Understand local codes
• Identify underground utility locations
• Establish your legally established property lines
• Dig holes for end posts, corner posts, and gateposts
• Pour concrete around poles and allow it to dry
• Use string to determine the height of fence
• Install panels or rails
• Install post caps

2. PROPERTY LINES

It is always critical to locate property lines before installing a fence. If a survey has not recently taken place, a crew needs to visit the land and adequately identify property boundaries. Well-identified property lines make for happy neighbors.

3. FENCE DESIGN

You will likely decide to install a fence that complements the style of your home. Remember that any additions to a house or landscape can affect the resale of your home and may not align with local codes or homeowner’s association regulations.

4. MAINTENANCE

Take time to research the type of materials used in the fencing. Wooden fences may need a coat of paint every other year or so. Wrought iron fences are likely to rust in a few years.

5. SECURITY

A safety barrier must allow for:

• Keeping the family dog contained
• The size and jumping abilities of the dog are also a consideration.
• The design of the fencing must be adequate for discouraging the dog from squeezing through the rails

6. DURABILITY

Once a homeowner invests in a fence and plenty of effort has been put into an installation, individuals want it to hold up under harsh weather conditions, wear and tear, and aging. Look for fencing made of durable materials and stable connection points.

7. COSTS

Understand, before the installation of the fence begins, the value of the materials, the installation costs, the varying prices of the different styles considered, and the future maintenance budget.

HOW DOGS ESCAPE FROM A FENCED YARD

Occasionally, your dog may dig holes in your yard; dig up freshly planted flowers, or decide to take a nap in your strawberry patch. But none of these habits are as dreaded as having your dog escape from your back yard.

Some dogs are quite skilled at jumping over fences. Others can hoist themselves over the barrier by climbing it. According to the breed of your pet, he or she may be an expert at digging. Many a dog has escaped from a backyard by tunneling under a fence.

An older wooden fence may become so weathered that it is soft enough for a canine to chew through it. Also, many dogs are smart enough to figure out how to open the fence’s gate.

The Humane Society recommends that dog owners keep chairs, tables, and other structures away from the fencing to deter dogs from using them as springboards to escape the yard. The Society also suggests adding an extension to the enclosure that tilts inwards at around a 45-degree angle. Doing so minimizes the possibility of your dog jumping over the fence.

The organization adds that placing chain-link fencing on the ground in front of the barrier is an excellent way to deter digging under the fence. Large rocks at the bottom of the barricade will work in the same way.

Additional safety precautions that will give owners peace of mind when their dogs are in the backyard include:

• Installing fencing around the family’s swimming pool
• Checking existing fencing for gaps or weak spots
• Remembering to supply clean, fresh water to pets who are confined

HOW MUCH DOES A FENCE COST?

The typical cost to build a fence, says HomeAdvisor, is between approximately $1,642 to$3,964. The average cost for vinyl fences is $2,000 to $5,000. Low-maintenance types price out at about $20 to $40 per linear foot.

CONTACT BLACKLINE™HHP VINYL FENCING

Blackline’s fences and railings are designed to withstand high temperatures. The thermoplastic formulations used in this fencing eliminates the sagging and distortion tendencies found in other dark, plastic fencing products. The material does not fade or chalk due to the use of the correct colorant in the proper amounts. UV inhibitors also address the issues of chalking and fading. Blackline HHP is unique in the world of vinyl fencing.

Contact Blackline today by phone, email, or by filling in our form online. Blackline will be happy to answer any questions, give a quote, and share any information needed.