How can we build a secure fence on wet, muddy land to keep our German Shepherds safe from neighbor’s dogs digging under their fence in WNY?
Asked by Vicky Shaw 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 27, 2024
Hey there! So, I live on a couple of acres in WNY and it’s pretty wet and muddy around here (typical, right?). We don’t have a fence, but our German Shepherds need one to keep the neighbor’s dogs from digging under theirs to visit us. We’re thinking a fence is the way to go since it’s the most cost-effective option. My husband just finished up his time in the marines and, while he’s not the handiest guy, we really need this fence. I’m hoping to get some advice on how to make this work. Our yard is like a swamp with little ponds forming, so I’m worried about the fence staying upright. Any tips, tricks, or ideas on how to keep it stable in these conditions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! 🙂 (And here’s a pic for reference!)
Why not ask your neighbor if they would be okay with installing a metal barrier around the perimeter of the fence, inside or outside, to prevent their dogs from escaping into your yard. Avoid using wood, as it may deteriorate in the conditions you mentioned.
Hey, did you know that ‘s place doesn’t really have a proper fence? It’s more like a wall with a bunch of wood stacked against it. It kind of looks like a fence, but it’s not a closed-in wall. There are several holes, and they just put stuff against it to keep their dogs from getting out. The house got foreclosed, so three of the siblings live there with their families. They have around 7-8 dogs of different breeds, both big and small. The dogs are outside all day in the summer, so I’m a bit concerned. It never crossed my mind that the wood might start rotting – thanks for pointing that out!
There are metal no-dig barriers available, look up ‘dig defence for dogs’, that could be a solution. I haven’t personally tested it, but it’s worth exploring. Depending on the depth of the product you choose, it may not be effective for very persistent diggers. Good luck finding a solution! My GSD mix says hello!
To keep the neighbors’ dogs away, an electric fence at the base would be a good idea.
Are you considering chain link with metal poles? Or if you prefer wood, make sure to use extra cement and extend it above the water level. You can also plant weeping willow trees to help absorb the excess water.
Should we wait until summer?
I’m in the process of building this. Make sure to use metal poles and secure them in concrete. You’ll need a post hole digger to dig the hole about 18 inches deep. Once the pole is inserted, drop in half a bag of Quick Crete and fill with water. Use a level to ensure the pole is level on two sides. This method will give you a fence that lasts over twenty-five years. Depending on your budget and goals, you can opt for chain link or, like in the video, create a privacy fence. If your Marine friend needs more guidance, have him message me. My friend, who was a professional fence builder, taught me how to do this.
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Be sure to plant plenty of willows because they will absorb the excess moisture and help stabilize the ground. Plus, they are really easy to plant – just poke the stems into the ground and they will eventually grow into bushes or trees. Check out this link for more information: https://www.livingwillowfarm.com/live-willow-cuttings
Create a trench and place your marine inside – no one will be able to get through
Get 8-foot poles, bury them 4 feet deep in the ground. Skip the concrete for a hassle-free experience
Dig holes for posts, pour in concrete, set posts in wet concrete
Recently had some renovations done on our house, including fence posts. They were dug deep and secured with concrete. A friend used an underground/sonic/electric fence on the inside of her fence as well. Planting shrubs is also a great idea. I’m in the Pacific Northwest, where we get a lot of rain.
You got this! If you’re worried about water, I’d start by creating a dry bed. This way, water can flow to a specific spot in your yard. Consider using fencing with vertical slats to prevent the dogs from climbing.
The image you see is the fence we constructed to contain our 3 Australian Shepherds. We took on the project ourselves and can share some tips to ensure it’s stable in any type of soil. We focused on aesthetics along the driveway and parking area while treating the remaining acres more as functional space than decorative.
Using concrete in the post holes is essential for stability, so as long as you do that, you should be in good shape! Would you be able to bring some soil to fill in the low spots? This will prevent your dogs from getting all muddy.
Oh, and psst.. your dogs are absolutely ADORABLE!!!😍
My friend had two mixed breed dogs that he was always worried about. He was afraid that they might get stolen or escape by digging under his chain link fence. To ease his mind, he dug a trench and buried about a foot of the fence underground to make it more secure.
I use this method for my chicken coops to keep predators away.
Really liked the idea. People were taking dogs for lab experiments, but luckily no one dared to come near my dog.
I’m currently in Florida, it’s all wet and messy down here. When setting up your fence, focus on ensuring the corner posts are secure. Feel free to use any material for the other posts, but the corners need to be strong. The corner and H brace posts should be buried 4 feet deep with half a bag of concrete. We made holes in the top of the posts and inserted rebar for the H braces. Additionally, we ran high-tensile wire through tension ratchet clamps (I can’t remember the exact name of those, and I couldn’t find a completed picture). It may take some time, but it’s definitely doable. ‘t forget to electrify both the top and bottom of your fence. You could even electrify the outer part of the fence to keep the neighbor’s dogs at bay.
Simple: ask your neighbors to chip in for a fence to be put up around your dogs, complete with a concrete border..
I’m open to any suggestions at this point to protect my boys from potential attacks or encounters with their chihuahuas. The wall they constructed has already collapsed and one of their dogs wandered into the street recently. I want to avoid any issues in the summer when we’re outside, especially with their dogs constantly slipping under or pushing through barriers. 😂😂
I’d recommend bringing it up with your neighbors, . If you decide to put up a fence, consider using hardware cloth (wire) and burying it 4-6 feet below the ground to deter digging. It’s a relatively simple task that just requires a bit of effort and determination.
Thank you all for the lovely messages! I’m about to tuck my twins in for the night but I’ll be sure to respond later on. Grateful for each and every one of you!! 🙂
Beautiful dogs!!
One tip for preventing digging under the fence is to attach heavy duty chicken wire at a 90-degree angle underground. And a big thank you to your husband for his service!
When setting up a fence, we always made sure to dig the posts down to the frost line and use concrete for the corner posts.
Concrete is essential for fencing your property, especially if you have clay ground that turns into a pond during certain seasons. I made sure to concrete all my posts to prevent any issues with sagging or swaying.
Purchase the durable galvanized cattle fence, it’s 16 feet long for $30. Use bolt cutters to cut it in half and then cut it to poke into the ground. This material is resistant to rust and can be placed below the surface without the need for digging. It’s strong enough to prevent dogs from damaging it. Also, consider using fence staples to attach it securely.
Just run a little electric line at the base. Setting it up is a breeze. ‘t forget the fence extenders!