Can Dogs Break Through Vinyl Fence?

Vinyl fences are tough enough to stand up to abuse from your animals. However, with that said, there are still many factors to consider if you are looking to get a vinyl fence to keep your pets secure. 

The rest of this article will cover the benefits of using a vinyl fence to secure your pets as well as potential problems you may face.

Benefits of Vinyl Fencing.

When it comes to keeping your pet secure, there are many reasons you might want to choose vinyl fencing instead of other types. This is because:

• Vinyl Fencing is Weather Resistant and Long Lasting
• Vinyl Fencing Offers Greater Privacy
• Vinyl Fencing is Chemical Free

These four factors will be elaborated upon in further detail below.

Vinyl Fencing is Weather Resistant and Long Lasting.

When compared to other types of fencing, vinyl lasts longer than the rest. The tough surface can hold up against rain, sun, wind, and snow. Your vinyl fence will not rot, rust, or crack which means you will not have to worry about potential weak spots for your dog to exploit.

 As well as this, you won’t have to worry about any hidden holes opening up behind trees or bushes.

Because vinyl fencing is so resistant to wear and tear, you can expect your fence to look great and secure your pets for many years; in most cases, the fence will last the entire lifespan of your dog making it the perfect long-term choice.

Vinyl Fencing Offers Greater Privacy.

There are no slats or rails that leave wide gaps for people or pets to look through, the vinyl fence offers a solid border around your property. Whilst this may seem to be just a bonus for those of you who value your privacy, it actually offers a very practical use to keep your pets more secure and ensure your fence remains intact.

The fact that there are no wide gaps is useful in the sense your dog cannot see through.  For those of you with high energy or more aggressive type dogs, this can come as a relief as it will prevent your dog from barking at passing cars, pedestrians, and other animals.

This makes vinyl fencing even more secure as your dogs will be less likely to try and get out to something on the other side.

Vinyl Fencing is Chemical Free.

Other fencing options such as wood or iron can have lead as well as other toxins in the paint or finish. Whilst this may not seem to be an immediate problem, for those who are looking to secure a puppy or a dog that is prone to chewing on things, it could cause some potential problems.

On the other hand, vinyl fencing is chemical-free which means even if your pet does decide to chew on the fence they will not be ingesting toxic and potentially poisonous chemicals.

Potential Problems.

When it comes to problems you may face with vinyl fencing, it is more to do with your dog’s behaviour as opposed to the fencing itself. Examples of problematic behaviour include:

• Jumping
• Digging
• Patrolling

These three problems will be discussed in further detail for the remainder of the article.

Jumping.

Some of the more energetic breeds may find it difficult to stay on all four paws throughout the day, especially since there are no gaps in the fence for them to see through, therefore they are likely to attempt to jump up above and over the fencing.

If this is the case, you’ll need to factor in your dog’s height and jumping abilities when choosing your fencing, some dogs can jump up to 5 feet tall! If your dog happens to be one of these excellent jumpers, you need to factor this in and choose an appropriately high fence to suit. A six-foot fence is generally enough to contain even the most talented jumpers.

However, one other thing to consider if you have a jumping dog is that it is possible for them to get stuck. Picket-style fences with open slats or fences with accents at the top should be designed so that your dog’s head or paws do not get stuck.

A great idea, in this case, is to fit your dog with a quick-release collar when they are outside. The Hinsdale Humane Society recognizes these as a safe and appropriate collar to use in this scenario. These collars will break when experiencing pressure, preventing your pet from becoming trapped or getting strangled if they do get stuck.

Digging.

If your dogs fail to escape over the top of the fence, they may try digging under it. If you already know that your dog is prone to digging and want to ensure your pet is truly secure you should consider some below-ground defences.

A common solution to this is to bury a line of chicken wire under your fence (make sure the sharp edges are turned inwards). The wire becomes uncomfortable to dig against and difficult to break through without harming your pet. This should keep your dog from escaping in most cases.

If your dog is an especially strong digger, tougher methods might be required. If this is the case, burying bricks or rocks under the fence would be an appropriate solution. This YouTube video is from Pet Fix shows you all you need to know about these methods as well as some other options.

Patrolling.

Your dog may not try to escape but chose to restlessly pace up and down the fence line. If this is the case then you may want to choose a fence that offers a more limited view. This helps your dog to calm down and prevents other dogs or animals from provoking your dog through the fence.

Another option is landscaping the inside line of your fence. Things such as Holly bushes or boxwood can force dogs to move further away from the fence thus reducing their urge to patrol.

Conclusion.

If you are worried about your dog breaking through your fence then opting for a vinyl fence is definitely the way to go. Their resistance to weather and durability, as well as having no gaps, to begin with, make them extremely secure. Whilst there are potential problems, these can easily be resolved by factoring in your dog’s general behavioural patterns as well as size.