Dogs are the most important members of many families. In fact, many households are complete just with the mere presence of a pooch. However, dogs are social species with many feelings, including self-grooming. Therefore, every dog parent, as well as the dog, requires some private space to enjoy quality time. Having a dog fence in your backyard creates the perfect opportunity to cease that required privacy. In this article, I will provide some DIY dog fence ideas that will complete your house.
Many modern homes are blessed with a spacious backyard. However, people often forget to utilize this space to fulfill the living needs of their beloved dogs. Most of the time, people avoid getting a dog fence because of the high cost. However, there are ways to quickly build your own dog fence without spending much. Therefore, I have collected some of the best dog fence ideas and a detailed guide about how to make them.
Table of Contents
DIY Dog Fence Ideas:
When it comes to DIY dog fences, there are many possibilities. However, some projects are simpler than others. Moreover, your craftsman skills, as well as the time and money that you devote to your project, will greatly improve the design and effectiveness of the fence. In this article, I will start with simple projects and then move towards complex and modern dog fences. You can choose to build any of them without any professional help. However, it is best to first evaluate your skills and the dog necessities before choosing any of them. Without any further delay, let’s get started:
Simple Wood Privacy Dog Fence:
Difficulty Level: Beginner
The most basic type of fence is the wooden privacy fence. It ensures that your pet dog stays within the premises and enjoys complete privacy without any eyes from the outside. Moreover, some dogs are tempted by the outside environment especially if he sees any other dogs passing by. The only problem is that this fence is very basic and thus doesn’t offer any elegance unless you decide to get creative when building a dog house.
Things You Need:
- Wooden planks at least 5 feet high and 1’ wide.
- Saw
- Power drill
- Wooden screws
- Nails and hammer
- Wooden glue
- Bending wire
- Gate 4’ x 2’
- Portland cement
- Chalk or white paint
- Hinges
- Shovel or any tool to dig holes
Step by Step Guide:
First of all, you need to get started with measuring the boundaries of your property. Ask from neighbors and society authorities whether or not you can make a dog fence in your backyard. After you get the clearance for the project, get started:
- Take white paint or chalk and make the layout for fence boundaries on the ground. Be sure that the lines you are drawing are straight and properly measured.
- Using a measuring tape, measure the total area of the fence by using the Length x Width formula.
- Divide this area by the width of your wooden planks and also carefully choose the spacing between the fence posts.
- You can only start gathering the material after your calculation satisfies the following condition: Area = (Number of posts x with of the post)+ spacing between the posts + width of the gate.
- Start by digging holes on the corners using the desired tool. This will ensure that you don’t move away from the boundaries.
- Take any corner as the initial point and starting digging holes and installing the wooden planks in a straight line.
- Make sure that the fence posts are sharp on the lower end. Also, don’t forget to leave room for the gate.
- After you have finished installing the fence posts, pour some concrete on the base of each post to ensure it gets a good grip on the ground.
- Leave the fence to dry for at least 8 hours. Make sure that you cure the cement with clean water regularly for 10 days, even after the fence is complete.
- Go to the gate post and make holes for hinges using a drill machine. Install the hinges on your wooden screws.
- Make similar holes on the gate but be careful with the positioning of the holes.
- Install the gate by adding further screws to tighten the door with the hinges.
- It would be best to reinforce the fence posts using bending wire and steel nails.
Now that your dog fence is complete, it is time to get creative. You can add decorations inside the fence or even add some entertainment features. Moreover, it is best to add some shade for the dog to save him from the sun after a long playing session. In short, it is up to you how well you utilize the space that you have just created for the pooch.
Pros:
- Simple fence for beginners
- Minimum expense
- Low level of expertise required
- Keeps your dog safe from the outside environment
- Dog digging under fence solution fence
Cons:
- Not as strong as metal fences.
- It is a simple fence with minimum elegance
Why You Need Space Between the Fence Posts?
The spacing between the fence posts in case of a basic privacy fence is very crucial. It is because these spacings provide a way for the air to pass through without causing much pressure on the posts. On the contrary, if you don’t leave the spaces, the air pressure will directly act on the posts and break your privacy fence for dogs very quickly.
Wooden Frame Easy Dog Fence:
Difficulty: Beginner
If you are looking for cheap dog houses that are better than privacy fences, these are the best dog fencing options for you. The wooden frame dog house is very easy to build and doesn’t require much crafting skills. Moreover, these wooden fences are more robust than the previous ones and also provide a glance of the outside world. Therefore, your beloved dog will never get bored from staying in his private space.
Things You Need:
- Wooden planks for corners and support
- Drill machine
- Screws for wood
- Nails and hammer
- Horse wire ( or a mesh)
- Wooden gate
- Portland cement
- Chalk or white paint
- Hinges
- Shovel or any tool to dig holes
Step by Step Process:
- Start by taking clearance from neighbors and social authorities.
- Use white paint to mark the boundaries of the fence and measure the area.
- By using the formula: Area = (Number of wooden posts x width of the post) + wide of gate + size of the horse wire.
- Start by digging holes on the corners using the desired tool. This will ensure that you don’t move away from the boundaries.
- Install a wooden post every 8 feet, depending on the size of your horse wire mesh.
- Make sure that the fence posts are sharp on the lower end. Also, don’t forget to leave room for the gate.
- Place wooden planks horizontally on top of the vertical fence using nails, glue, and bending wire.
- Now that your basic wooden frame is completed, it is time to prepare the gate for the dog fence.
- Go to the gate post and make holes for hinges using a drill machine. Install the hinges on your wooden screws.
- Make similar holes on the gate but be careful with the positioning of the holes. Install the gate by adding further screws to tighten the door with the hinges.
- Start installing the horse wire mesh between the fence posts and tie them using metal wires for added reinforcement.
Your wired dog fence with a wooden frame is now complete and ready for use. You can choose to put decorations and a shed for the dog inside the perimeters of the fence. Moreover, you can further enhance the beauty of the fence by painting it with weatherproof paint.
Pros:
- Best dog house with porch
- easy dog fence
- Affordable
- Requires less space
- No professional help needed
Cons:
- Slightly complex than the basic fence
- You need to be careful with the measurements
Welded Wire Dog Fence:
Difficulty: Moderate
Now we are moving towards a slightly complex dog fence. However, don’t worry; you are not going to need professional help if you are good with the tools and measurements. These dog fences are long-lasting and provide even more protection than the rest. Furthermore, being metallic fences, you can choose to electrify the DogFencediy and make it a dog electric fence. Finally, this type of fence is suitable for those who want their dogs to enjoy the outside space. You can put your security dogs in such fences because they can monitor the activity in the yard all the time.
Things You Need:
- Metallic wire mesh
- Steel fence posts
- Bending wire
- Hammer
- Post driver
- Gate
- Electric wires
- Nails
- String and white paint
- Hinges and screws
- Power drill
Step by Step Guide:
- Start by determining the fence boundaries and asking for clearance from the authorities,
- Using white paint, layout the dog house perimeters but make sure that the lines are straight.
- Measure the area of the fence and buy welded wire mesh accordingly.
- The height of the mesh depends on how high your dog can jump to prevent trespassing to the fence.
- Start by making holes in the ground using a post driver and place the metallic fence posts. Hammer the posts to get a better grip on the ground.
- Tie string across the boundary from one post to the next. This ensures that your mesh is unrolled in a straighter path.
- Install the mesh on one corner of the post and start unrolling till you reach the position of the gate.
- Install the hinges on the post as well as the gate using a power drill with metallic bits and tighten the screws on the hinges.
- Again start installing the welded metallic wire mesh and unroll to cover the whole area.
- Make sure that the mesh is tight and doesn’t look free from the posts.
- Using bending wires, tie the mesh with the fence posts to add even more strength to your fence.
- Finally, you can choose to connect the electric wires to the ends of the fence to make it an electric dog fence.
Your welded mesh dog fence is now complete and ready for letting your dog inside. However, you can also add more components of interest inside the fence boundaries to keep your buddy entertained all the time. Never leave out the binding wires from the project because a loose fence mesh is always easy to trespass.
Pros:
- Best dog jumping fence solutions
- Easy to install
- Electrified dog fence
- Extremely durable
- Best for security dogs
Cons:
- You need DIY skills to make it effective.
- This fence requires two people to complete.
Dog Proof Chainlink Fence:
Difficulty: Medium-High
If you are wondering, what kind of fence is best for dogs? The Chainlink is the most common type of metallic dog fence that you can build as a DIY project. Originally built in the 1840s, chain link fences are preferable for not only dogs but all types of fence requirements. Moreover, these fences are the best options if you are short on the budget and can’t afford a wooden fence. Furthermore, there are many possibilities for variations in this type of fence> For instance, you can use it as a short fence for small dogs or fencing to keep dogs in.
Things You Need:
- Chain link mesh
- Metal pipes
- Hammer
- Post driver
- Binding wires
- Metal gate
- Measuring tape
- White paint
- Hinges
Step by Step Guide:
- Start by calculating the area for the fence by measuring the length and width of the boundaries.
- You can calculate the amount of mesh required for the job by area – (cumulative width of the poles + width of the gate).
- The amount of mesh may vary due to many reasons, so make sure to buy extra mesh than required in case you need it.
- Using white paint, draw a layout for the fence on the ground. Make sure that the lines are straight and neat.
- You can tie strings on the corners to ensure that your fence boundaries are straight.
- Use the post driver to draw holes on all corners of the fence boundary.
- Moreover, use a pile driver to make holes for extra poles every 8 to 10 feet to ensure that the fence remains in place.
- Leave out room for the gate of the fence and mark the location using white paint.
- Start putting the poles in place and carefully hammer these posts till they become sturdy.
- Install the chain link mesh on one of the corners and start unrolling but with a tight grip.
- Keep unrolling till you reach the gate location. Skip this pole and continue wiring the rest of the fence with the same tightness.
- Take binding wires and tie the chain link to the poles at different locations to ensure that the fence is reinforced and remains intact for a long time.
- Make holes on the gate and the pole using a power drill with metal bits. You can use a marker to ensure that you make the holes in the right location.
- Install the hinges and tighten the screws to install the gate to the fence.
- You can add extra protection by pouring some Portland cement into the base of the poles and cure it for 10 to 14 days to achieve ultimate strength.
Now that the chain-link dog fence is complete, you can let the dog play in his new house without any worries. Moreover, it is the best chance for you to get creative and make the fence even more interesting. It is best to paint the fence to prevent it from weathering and corrosion. Plus, a well-painted fence looks even more beautiful than the others.
Pros:
- Durable fence
- Best fence for all sorts of pets
- Cheaper than the rest
- Creative fence with many possibilities
- You can electrify the fence
- The wind has no effect on it.
Cons:
- Requires at least two persons to complete the project
- These fences are outdated, and the dog can jump over them
Electric Conduit Pipe Fence:
Difficulty: Hard
Next up are some of the advanced fences that require some serious craftsmanship and dedication. However, these fences are the strongest on the whole list and also add to the elegance of your porch or yard. Though these fences are expensive than the others, in the long run, you end up saving quite a lot of money. Moreover, some people even use the EMT fences to place other animals like horses as well. Therefore, once you set up the Conduit pipe fence, you will instantly get the cowboy vibe from your house.
Things You Need:
- Wooden planks
- Wood support
- Conduit pipes
- Electrifying wires
- Hammer
- Metal glue
- Hinges
- Door
- Point support tighteners
- Shovel
- Saw
- Portland cement
- Power tools
- Measuring tape
- White paint
- Leveling tool
Step by Step Guide:
- Get started with measuring the area, length, height, and width of the desired fence.
- Layout the fencing location using white paint or chalk. Take aid from strings to ensure that the fence is straight and the posts are aligned.
- Using a post driver, draw holes on the corners of the fence. Also, make holes after every few feet for supporting posts.
- Saw down the posts according to your desired height and make angled cuts for the supporting posts.
- Take a screw gauge to measure the diameter of the conduit pipes.
- Using a power drill, make 3 to 4 holes with the bit of the same diameter as the pipes in the wooden posts.
- Make sure that the pipe holes are equidistant and are perfectly aligned on each post.
- You can use a marker to draw the hole location on each pole before actually using the power tools.
- Start driving the conduit pipes through the holes in each post one by one.
- Make sure that the pipes are inside the posts before hammering the posts to the ground.
- Use a hammer to draw the pipes further in the poles to ensure a tighter grip.
- Start putting the wooden posts in the ground on the sharp ends and hammer it down multiple times with considerable strength.
- Additionally, pour down Portland cement on the base of each post to ensure a perfect and durable grip on the ground.
- While the posts are getting dried, it is time to start working on the gate.
- You can choose to make your own gate or buy a readymade from the market.
- In any case, put the hinges on the supporting pole and install the fence gate using wood screws.
- You can use metal glue to fix the pipes in the wooden posts permanently to increase durability.
- Finally, add the electrifying wires to the setup and use the tightening supporters to hold the post and pipes intact.
Your very own electric conduit fence is now complete and ready to function. This fence is not only beautiful but also increases the overall beauty of your house. However, this fence has a lower height, and your dog needs to be trained before leaving him unsupervised inside one of these fences. Moreover, it is best to warmish the poles and applies paint to the pipes to avoid corrosion and weathering.
Pros:
- Fencing options for small dogs
- Suitable for all pets
- Extremely elegant
- Electrified fence
- Durable
- Outdoor dog house
Cons:
- Relatively expensive than the rest
- Requires good DIY skills and sometimes a professional’s help
- Not suitable for digging dogs and untrained dogs.
Portable Dog Fence:
DIY Difficulty: Professional
Installation: Easy
These are the latest types of dog fences that you can make or buy readymade from the market. These fences are originally meant for RV and Caravan owners who don’t have a dedicated space for their homes. These fences allow you to set up a dog house anywhere you like in just a couple of minutes. However, these fences can be extremely difficult to make if you choose to make one yourself. On the contrary, you can get a portable dog fence from the market, but it will cost you quite some cash. In any case, these fences are suitable for families who like to go on long vacations as now they can take the dog house with them.
Things You Need:
- Hinges
- Metal pipes or posts
- Metal wire mesh
- Screws
- Binding wires
- Hammer
- Metal glue
- Power tools
- Bending tool
Step by Step Guide:
This tutorial is for those extreme DIYers who choose to make the portable dog fence themselves. Otherwise, the average users are advised to skip these steps and move on to the installation instructions:
- Start by determining the area for the fence that you are going to make. However, keep in mind that the larger the fence, the more space it will take, even after folding.
- Take a metallic post and use a power driver with metallic bits to draw holes on it for the hinges.
- You are going to need at least two hinges per post and at least 6 posts, depending on the length of the portable fence.
- Use screws to tighten on the end of the hinge to each pole while leaving the other free for now.
- Take soft-grade wire mesh and install it on one of the posts. This will be your corner post.
- Start unrolling the mesh and add a second metallic post after 4 to 5 feet and so on.
- After you have completely installed the metallic wire mesh to the poles. It is time to make it foldable.
- First of all, install the free end of the hinge on each pole with the mesh and tighten it with a screwdriver.
- Use a bend-making tool to bend the wire mesh right in the place of the pole to make sure that it bends accordingly.
- Finally, use a weatherproof agent on the poles and the wire to make it highly durable.
- Fold the fence in the same direction, one post at a time. The first few attempts at folding may be slightly difficult as the wire mesh is getting used to the folding and unfolding.
Installation:
The installation procedure for these portable dog houses is very straightforward.
- Start by clearing the ground to make the site for the fence.
- Take out the portable fence and open just one post from the fold.
- Place the pot on the ground and hammer it till it gets a good grip.
- Now start unfolding the poles one-by-one tightly and hammer down each pole before moving to the next.
- Use bending wires to tie the wire mesh with the poles to make it reinforced.
- The folding process for these fences is completely opposite.
Now you have a portable dog fence that you can take anywhere in your car or caravan. Moreover, these fences are small and don’t require much site preparation. You can choose the height of the fence according to the jumping ability of your dog. Overall, this is the best type of fence for people who are constantly traveling.
Pros:
- Portable fence
- Easy to install
- Takes minimum space when folded
- Durable metallic material
- Great for travelers
- Serious DIY project
Cons:
- To make this fence, you need professional help and heavy-duty tools
- These types of fences are expensive
- The fence has a smaller height and not suitable for untrained dogs.
The Best Invisible Dog Fence:
Installation Difficulty: Easy
No, it is not a magical fence from Harry Potter. However, it uses the magical tools of science to keep your dog safely within the building premises. These type of fences are suitable especially for dogs under training because it teaches them how to remain close to the house. Moreover, these fences are readymade and don’t require any DIY crafting as such. You can find some of the best underground dog fences online or from the market to use in your yard. Moreover, there are two types of invisible dog fences that serve the same purpose but with a different mode of operation.
Underground Dog Fence:
These are the basic type of invisible fences that you can use in your backyard or porch. They are also known as the dog shock collar fence. However, they are permanent, and you can’t use them if you are traveling.
Things You Need:
- Underground wire
- E-collar
- Shovel
- White paint
Step by Step Guide:
- Draw the layout for the underground dog fence using white paint.
- Take a shovel or any other digging tool to make a straight trench-like structure in the ground.
- Place the underground wire in the ground and refill the trench to bury the wire underground.
- Connect the electric wires of the fence to a power outlet.
- Connect the e-collar with the wire using buttons on the collar.
- Put the collar on the dog and turn it on.
- Test the collar at least three times and get used to the beeping sound.
Whenever your dog gets too close to the wire, the collar will make a strong beeping sound to inform you. Moreover, if the dog tries to leave the boundaries of the fence, the collar will generate a small shock to tame him and get him back inside the boundary.
GPS Best Wireless Dog Fence:
This second type of invisible dog fence is more advanced and gives you the ability to track the dog’s location from anywhere using your smartphone. Moreover, these fences are more suitable for traveling because you can set up a virtual fence at any location using the smartphone application.
Things You Need:
- GPS fence system
- E-collar
- Smartphone
Step by Step Guide:
- Place the GPS system in the backyard or on the fencing location.
- Power up the system by plugging it into a power outlet.
- Set up the virtual wireless fence using the smartphone application
- Connect the special e-collar to the GPS system
- Put the e-collar on the dog and turn it on.
- Test the system at least three times to ensure it is working properly.
Your wireless system is now complete, and you can track the dog’s location any time and from anywhere. Moreover, the collar will generate a warning beep if the dog leaves the boundary. The collar may even produce a slight shock if the dog moves away from the set boundaries.
Conclusion:
Dog fences are necessary to provide some private space for your pooch. Moreover, there are many choices of fences that you can make as DIY projects, and also, some invisible dog fences can be bought online. I hope this article was helpful for you to better understand the privacy needs of your beloved dog.
