Safe Pups and Their People

There is no use in putting off the repair or construction of a fence if you're a dog owner. Most obviously, keeping your dog safely away from the street is paramount. A fenced-in yard allows a dog to run, jump, and play, offering life-enhancing exercise. A fence allows a dog to safely do what a dog must do: employ their senses--smelling, chasing rodents, and guarding the house from passersby (without incident), to name just a few. This activity is an essential aspect of a dog's life and health, and a fence offers a measure of freedom, for you and your dog. A well-surrounded backyard doesn't preclude the need for the joy of fido's joys--being walked--that roam around the neighborhood to broadcast his essential message: I'm here and it matters. 

Which Type of Fence?

• Chain-link or large openings

Efficient for some things, but sadly often dangerously climbable--a medium or large size dog can easily gain a foothold and get over a fence. Chain-link also won't win you any points with neighbors aesthetics-wise either. If your dog is a climber (see the video below), gaining a foothold is possible with other styles of fence, too--call Louis Page for advice on the right-sized openings.

• Electric

An invisible fence might solve the boundary and aesthetic issues, but for a dog, the shock can be received as a punishment, when delivered it can be misconstrued with whatever the dog is perceiving at the time of the shock so fears can result. And it can in some cases be breached if the incentive is great enough. 

•  Apron

A great option for medium and some large dogs, especially if your dog is a digger. This line wire, running the length of the roll, acts as a guide for bending or folding the bottom 12 inches of the roll to create an apron. When folded at a 90-degree angle, this part of the fence lays on the ground. Grass or vegetation will grow up through the apron, securing the hexagonal mesh to the ground. This eliminates the need for the digging of a trench and burying wire in the ground--nice chores to avoid. When your dog comes up to the edge of the vertical fence and starts digging, the wire mesh stops them. To keep your dog within the enclosed area, place the apron to the inside and the apron will prevent digging under the fence. 

Very helpfully, your fence...

• lessens the number of times a day a dog must be walked
• is a good substitute for a trip to the dog park (particularly if your dog is aggressive with other dogs)

Please also remember: even your dog can be unpredictable and this fence quite crucially:

• Protects others
• Guards against injury, awkward mishaps, and unfortunate encounters
• Keeps you from liability issues
• Wards off intruders, accompanied by your dog's bark, of course
   

Height is important--if you have a big dog, a 4-foot fence will not suffice. Anywhere from 5 to 7 feet is required depending on the size and agility of your breed. For smaller breeds, four feet should do the trick unless you have a dog who is Captain Marvel and should be wearing a cape.

• Walk around the yard and make sure there's nothing that would give a leg up and help a dog escape, like stacks of debris or wood

Adapting Your Existing Fence

Here's a solution from Down Under:

Ground/Sod Staples

If you've got a digger, add some heavy 8 gauge wire staples (also known as U pins) to an existing mesh fence. They're 8 inches long with 1" spacing between prongs. Ground staples are a cinch to drive into the soil and are long enough to secure the fence. Use these handy stakes to firmly keep the bottom of the fence flat to the ground. Good to use when you want to keep your pup or other animals from getting under a fence.

A Secure Backyard

And once behind the fence, alleviating boredom with your presence is the greatest reward for a dog who desires your companionship and leadership. Activities behind the fence may include training exercises or teaching tricks, throwing a ball or playing Frisbee, using toys, (and then swapping out the toys to maintain interest) with breaks from being fenced in. Hiding a favorite treat or toy to discover in the backyard can give an opportunity for distraction. If a grooming session is something that your dog enjoys, do it in the yard so positive associations are made.

Call Louis Page and talk with us about your dog and the particulars of your property and we will advise you as to the best style and grade of fence for your situation. We'll help take the guesswork out of creating the right enclosure for your four-legged best friend.

And finally, depending on your dog's agility (and desperation) there are some common but questionable choices out there:

Stainless Steel Benefits:

Economic--requires less maintenance and replacement

Environmental--stainless steel is 100% recyclable and doesn't require a potentially polluting surface coating

Aesthetic--maintains a classic, attractive, sleek, and bright appearance

Temperature--from high to subzero, stainless steel maintains its properties, strength, and effectiveness

Safe--stainless steel is not hazardous to health

Hygienic--it's easy to clean and sterilize                                                                            

What's in it?

• Iron
• Chromium
• Manganese
• Carbon
• and in some cases nickel and molybdenum

Chromium is key in bonding with these to create a protective surface film. 10.5% chromium is required to be considered stainless steel. The surface barrier created blocks water and oxygen from getting underneath, which in turn facilitates the protection of its iron foundation and enables its notable stain resistance. A few atomic layers of this barrier is enough to maintain the whole--we're talkin' a wavelength of light in thickness--so extremely thin and visually undetectable without significant magnification.

Famously, the top of the Chrysler Building uses stainless steel.

Two Main Classifications

Type 304--most common, with great corrosion resistance; affordable, appropriate to household appliances, and forms well. 304 has more chromium than 316. 

Type 316 (Marine Grade)--the presence of molybdenum increases anti-corrosion capacity and high heat stability. This takes things up a notch and is crucial for marine environments, refineries, and medical devices. It is used in situations where extreme hardness is required. Fence or mesh used in a coastal or saltwater environment requires 316, also in areas of air pollution, deicing salt, and volcanic activity. 316 also contains more nickel than 304--nickel enhances the strength, sustainability, and high-temperature properties of stainless steel.

• The difference between 304 and 316 is not detectable with the naked eye
• A material test report is something to look for when buying and questioning the grade of stainless steel
• If you live within three miles from the coast, consider 316 for outdoor applications 

Offsetting Corrosion

When thinking about a fence, the main reason to go stainless is for long life. It repels corrosion and the toughness of stainless steel offsets the initial cost promising less repair and replacement. Unsightly rust is eliminated or substantially delayed. Its properties are indispensable in keeping a business or residence looking sharp and its longevity doesn't waste resources.

Unparalleled Durability 

In the long run, stainless steel is an economical choice. Seemingly more expensive at the outset; however, its consistency, service, and longevity make it an excellent buy.

Restoring Your Beach

Here's a helpful video from the folks at The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation.

Sand dunes create an important buffer between sea and land; maintaining the dunes is central to counteracting coastal erosion. Not only do properly placed sand fences protect the dunes, but they can also redirect pedestrians away from beneficial dune-preserving plants such as cape beachgrass. 

Louis Page has a wonderful catalog that includes our state of the art sand fence.

Check out our sand fence blog, too.

T Post Simplicity

• Economical

Wood or vinyl posts carry a hefty price tag. T posts are a bargain in comparison. Add their ease of installation and longevity, you end up saving considerable time and money. And you can cover a lot of ground. Louis Page includes five wire-fasteners with each post.

Some helpful basics here--

• Flexible

No digging holes for wooden posts--a huge benefit of T posts is their installation. Pounded right into the ground, most easily done with a post hole driver. Straight and strong, knock 'em in, and revel in their ability to hold.  And without too much hassle, they can be moved, too. Permanent, temporary, you choose. Here's a handy tip for removing them:

• Durable

These American-made posts are made of 100% recycled rail steel. Think about what freight trains pull. This is that steel. Very tough, durable, and able to bear a generous load. They're a fine choice for hard or rocky ground and can even stand up to livestock.

Three surface treatments:

• Coated with baked enamel
• Hot-dipped galvanization
• Untreated

Consider purchasing T posts that are galvanized for longer life. Particularly in coastal climates where there is more risk of increased corrosion of steel which is vulnerable to rust. Yet even unfinished T posts are very weather-resistant due to the high quality of rail steel. Still, if you get tired of looking at rusty T posts, consider galvanization.  

• Easy Replacement

Are you thinking that wood might be more appealing? Aesthetics are important; however, T posts are seen mostly in winter whereas in summer the posts are covered in leafy vines. Even treated wood posts are vulnerable to rot, breakage, and can take a beating from the weather. If a T post is damaged for some reason, it is easily replaced.

Use them for silt fencing, snow fencing, and safety fencing.

T posts holding up grapevines

 You can also use these beauties for signposts, pens, guide stakes, home gardens, and much more.