The Simple Addition That'll Keep Your Pets From Crawling Under Your Fence

Few things cause more stress than the thought of our pets squeezing under the backyard fence and disappearing into the neighborhood or beyond. Our furry friends who escape are at high risk of getting lost, getting hurt, or even encountering wildlife that could endanger them. All this can happen even if we try our best to make our house more pet-friendly.

Fortunately, there is a small and affordable addition to your chain link setup that can create a dog-proof fence: a tension wire. Adding it along the base of your fence is a surprisingly effective solution that keeps pets from crawling out underneath. The way a tension wire works is that it makes an otherwise flimsy fence sturdy while closing the gap between the bottom and the ground.

This makes it harder for your pet to dig through the dirt or even push under it. Having a tension wire is also especially helpful if your ground has uneven dips or spots where your pets might find weak points to exploit.

Installing a tension wire is a straightforward process. It starts with purchasing a wire that is durable and weather-resistant, such as this National Hardware wire on Amazon. You should also buy appropriate hardware that will secure the wire to the fence posts, like tension bands and wire clips. Once you've gathered everything, attach one tension band to each fence post along the bottom, and then thread the tension wire through the bands and pull it tightly. This ensures the wire sits snugly against the ground. You can then use the clips to attach the wire securely to the fence at regular intervals.

An installed tension wire makes any chain link fence more secure. This serves as a deterrent when pets (especially dogs) try to push or lift the fence with their paws. Its added stability also provides resistance when your pet tries to dig through the dirt, a move that could otherwise make any fence without a tension wire loose.

Having a tension wire installed can make your chain link fence, also known as a cyclone fence, last longer too, especially if you live in an area with strong winds. The solid line and support it provides along the bottom reduces natural movement, thus preventing your fence from warping over time. With this simple addition, you don't just create a secure backyard for your pets but also make maintaining your yard more cost-effective.