Dogs are a human’s best friend, and most pet parents will do anything to keep their dogs happy.
Caring for your pet involves proper feeding, grooming, and plenty of love, but it is also important to provide a secure enclosure.
For families living in urban areas, the right fence will keep the family canine from wandering into traffic or neighbors’ yards.
It is important to choose the right type of fence for your dog’s size and breed to ensure there are no accidental escapes.
Larger dogs need higher fences, and aggressive dogs will benefit from a stronger fence.
Smaller dogs can often prove to be more of a challenge to the fence than large breeds. Thankfully, we have some suggestions.
Let’s take a look at some suggestions for the best white picket fence for small dogs to help keep your family pet contained in style.
Do Vinyl Fences Effectively Contain Dogs?
Wooden fences and chain link fences are the two most common options for smaller breeds. Both offer solid construction and no spaces for your little friend to wiggle through.
Steel fences are effective but overly sturdy for smaller breeds.
Steel picket fences are also not very cost-effective due to most building code spacing requirements.
Vinyl fences are another option; it is very attractive and can easily contain smaller dogs, but it is simply not very durable.
A bad storm or even too much rough play from your kids can easily damage the fence, which will end up being costly to repair over time.
So while vinyl fences can contain your pooch, and chain-link fences can also get the job done, they are not ideal.
Wood, in general, is the most visually appealing and effective method of fencing smaller breeds.
Why You Should Avoid Invisible Fences
A fence serves two purposes when you have a dog.
It serves to keep your pet contained to your property and to protect your home at the same time.
Certain types of fences are very effective at containing your pet but not so effective at providing protection.
Other fences may offer superior home protection but leave gaps around your perimeter through which your dog can escape.
Of course, there are fences that meet both needs but simply look unappealing. Finding the right fence to meet all of your needs is a challenge some may try to meet with an invisible fence.
Invisible fencing offers no home security, but it may keep your dog contained on your property.
This type of fencing is more of a wireless system that works to train your dog not to leave the property.
A perimeter is set with either a wireless or wired system around your yard which is paired with a dog collar.
Any time your small dog attempts to pass this perimeter, it will be given a small shock.
While effective in many cases, it doesn’t keep other animals from entering your property, and a determined dog will simply ignore the shock and continue on its way.
What Is The Best Fence For Small Dogs?
Your budget, any HOA style rules, and your home aesthetics will mainly determine the best fencing option.
A chain-link fence is an affordable option and will keep your pet contained while also preventing other animals from encroaching on your property.
While not the most aesthetically pleasing option, it will get the job done.
Wooden fences are a cute idea that will fit with just about any home aesthetic.
This type of fence can contain small dogs and medium size dogs alike as long as they are not prone to jumping.
The best white picket fence for small dogs will be one that features smaller gaps or a double line of pickets.
The top can be traditionally pointed, or you can update the look with a modern squared top for extra character.
Metal fences are an effective way to contain small dogs and may be the best option if your pet loves to dig.
Even the best white picket fence for small dogs won’t be effective if fido simply burrows underneath it.
Metal fencing is typically installed into poured concrete around the border of the yard.
This provides a solid foundation for the fence and prevents pets from digging their way to freedom.
Wooden fences are visually appealing but do require regular maintenance.
Over time, the wood will begin to wear down, and the color will also start to fade.
Vinyl fencing is a great way to get the same look as wooden fencing without the upkeep.
You can choose just about any color in the rainbow and won’t have to worry about fading.
This type of fencing is ideal for smaller dogs and homes located in temperate climates.
Are Picket Fences Effective In Containing Small Dogs?
When you think of an ideal American home, thoughts of a one or two-story home and a white picket fence come to mind.
The white picket fence is a classic choice regardless of the home style.
Some picket fences are purely decorative.
Those tend to have wider spaces between the planks or even space under the edge of the fence. This may make you wonder how effective picket fences really are in containing small dogs.
Picket fences are an effective way to keep your pet safe from the outside and to keep that outside safe from your pet.
Picket fences are often made from wood, but they can also be crafted from vinyl or metal.
The best white picket fence for small dogs are those that are about waist height and have small gaps in between the pickets.
This narrow air space will prevent your dog from getting out but will still help maintain the aesthetic appeal of a picket fence around your home.
Pros
There are plenty of great reasons to get a white picket fence for small dogs. But it depends on the material! Vinyl is very durable and can stand up to sharp little dog nails and teeth.
Additionally, it’s easy to clean! Instead of worrying about sanding and repainting, like wood or metal, vinyl fences just need soap and water.
Cons
The biggest con of a white picket fence is that traditionally they are rather short, and more decorative than functional.
However, you can customize your fence to be high enough to keep your pooch safe and contained
Prevent Barrier Frustration
A fence is the best way to keep your dog safe from getting hit by a passing car and to keep it from wandering about the neighborhood.
Choosing the right type of fence will ensure your pet is safe while also preventing barrier frustration. Always leave your pet with toys or other activities to help divert their attention.
If your home is in a high foot traffic area, your pet may be attracted to the noise and often bounce against the fence to get the attention of people passing by.
Barking at people near the fence is also another common problem that can be triggered by barrier frustration.
Choosing a fence that is the perfect height will prevent frustration and help your dog stay happy.
Ideal Fence Heights To Keep Dogs Contained
Another tip when thinking about the best white picket fence for small dogs is understanding fence height requirements.
Your fence should have rails that extend into the ground on the bottom, and then count the height starting from the ground up.
The air space between planks should be about three inches unless you have an extremely small dog. The ideal fence height should be about thigh-high to contain small dogs.
This will generally be about three feet high on most people. If there are other dogs in your neighborhood that you want to keep out, you can extend the height to four feet.
It is always a good idea to consult with a professional fence company to ascertain the best height and depth for your fence.
The materials, composition of the land around the edge of your yard, and your budget will all need to be evaluated prior to fence installation.
For homes that have multiple pets, it is important to install a pet that is high enough to contain your largest dog to prevent accidental escapes.
The fence will also need to have small enough air spaces to prevent your smallest dog from slipping through the cracks.
Professional Fencing For Pet Security
Having a professional fencing company install your fence is the best way to ensure your pet is safe. Not only will the fence be installed correctly, but the spacing will be perfectly graduated to prevent your pooch from slipping through the cracks.
Often land around a home is not perfectly level which means some areas of the fence may need to be higher or lower to accommodate the variations.
A professional will be able to install the fence in a manner that is both aesthetically pleasing and dog safe.
If you are putting up a new white picket fence for your small dog or modifying your current fence, we can help. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you create a dog-friendly outdoor space at a price you can afford.
