Plug the Gap: How I Fix Holes Under My Fence 🚧

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Confession time. My fence was NOT installed right. 🙄

And no, my pack doesn't dig. Not my babies. Angels. 😇

But when it rains a lot, the ground washes out and a hole opens up right under the fence. And they just... stroll out. Like it's a doggy door. Hahaha.

These have saved me SO much searching in the woods when someone wanders out a hole. 🌲🔦

My picks

FOKEP No Dig Animal Barrier Fence, 14 Panels

• 14 panels, 13" tall, about 20 feet total. Each panel is 13" x 17".
• Made for this. The listing literally says it's for blocking gaps at the bottom of a fence.
• Bars about 1.25" apart. Little faces can't squeeze through.
• The panels link with rings, so you can shape them along the fence line, take them down, and reuse them.

HIHADUUM Animal Barrier Fence, 14 Pack

• Same idea: 14 metal panels, 13" x 17" each, about 20 feet total.
• Rust-resistant coating. Comes with zip ties to connect the panels.
• Great for a second stretch of fence or a backup.

AAGUT 12" Galvanized Landscape Staples, 100 Pack

• The secret sauce. 12" long, heavy 11-gauge galvanized steel.
• Pin the barrier panels down, or staple any loose, floppy spot at the bottom of the fence right into the ground.
• Pointed ends go in by hand, foot, or hammer. 💪

CDXHOME "Please Keep Gate Closed" Signs, 2 Pack

If your UPS or FedEx person is like mine, you will need this. 😂📦

• "Dog Planning Escape." Yes, that's literally on the sign. Accurate.
• Brushed aluminum, UV and weather resistant, about 9.8" x 3.5".
• Pre-drilled holes, so you can screw it right onto the gate.
• 2 pack: one for the front gate, one for the back.

How I use them 🔧

1. Walk the fence after a big rain. Look for new holes and loose spots.
2. Fill in the hole if you can.
3. Set the barrier panels along the bottom of the fence, over the gap.
4. Staple everything down nice and tight.
5. Repeat after the next storm. Because there will be one. 🌧️

The honest part

• This isn't for everyone. It's a patch for gaps and loose spots. If your dog is a real digger, a jumper, or a climber, this is not your fix. Talk to a fence pro or a trainer.
• It's a band-aid, not a new fence. If the fence was installed badly (hi 👋), the real fix is getting it redone.
• Check for sharp wire ends and anything poking out at nose level. Bend it in or cover it.
• Call 811 before you hammer stakes in, especially near where buried lines might run. It's free.
• A sign is a reminder, not a lock. A latch that closes itself is the real backup.
• Keep ID on them. Even with a fixed fence, tags and a microchip are your backup.

Real facts, no fluff

• 811 is the national "call before you dig" number. It recommends calling a few business days before ANY digging, including small projects like installing fences. Utilities will mark buried lines for free. (Call 811)
• The AVMA says ID tags with current info and a registered microchip improve the chances of getting your pet back if you're separated. (AVMA)

Vet note: I'm not a vet, and this isn't vet advice. If your dog comes home from a wander with a cut, a limp, ticks, or a run-in with wildlife, call your vet.