Your dog may be adorable, but that doesn’t mean it can’t annoy the neighbors or the mail carrier. That means putting up a fence in your yard is going to take some good thinking. Even if you only use a chain link fence to keep your dog from making mischief, there are ways to make it dog-proof. Let’s take a look at how to do this.
Look Around the Fence
First of all, go outside and look around the edges of your chain link fence. Pay close attention to the terrain of your yard, especially if there are only rises or dips in the ground that can make the fence more unstable. Depending on the size, strength, and agility of your dog, they can either jump over your fence, dig under it, or find a way to push through the chain links. If there is any exposed dirt or plain soil anywhere near your fence’s base, then your dog could take advantage of it and use that as a way to escape your yard.
Inspect the Gate
The next step is to inspect the gate. No matter what your fences are made of, you will need a gate to make access easier. Chain link fences are no exception, even if you think it’s easy enough to climb over or jump over the fence instead. Secure the fork latch, because if it is loose enough, your dog can figure out how to unlock it. If the latch is broken, then you need to fix it or get it fixed as soon as possible.
Close the Gap
If there is a gap between the chain link fence and the gate incorporated into it, then that is another problem waiting to happen. Measure the gap to find out how wide it is. A double gate might not necessarily solve the problem, even if you think s – it isn’t safe to assume anything, because it will make a fool out of you. Close all the gaps that you find with more chain link, if possible. The bigger the gap, the more likely your dog can shimmy through it.
Correct Possible Mistakes
After you’ve done all that, give your chain link fence a once-over. Doing this will give you the chance to correct any possible mistakes you made. Plus, you can inspect the condition of the fence and decide whether it needs further maintenance. Here are some other ideas for what you can do:
- Put bricks or stones down to fill in any dips.
- Attach tent stakes to the fence to help stabilize it.
- Use wire and padlocks to reinforce fork latches.
- Close the gaps between gates with metal rods.
HAVE QUESTIONS? ASK HERCULES CUSTOM IRON
If you are ready to install your chain link fence and add railings or you still have some more questions, we here at Hercules Custom Iron are here to help. We have many years of experience and will ensure that your chain link fence will serve you and your family for years. Visit us online or call us at 1-800-331-2590. For advice, updates, and to see what we are up to, be sure to follow us on social media on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.