Anyone use wire mesh for dog fencing?

[bignateyk]

I have a 100lb german shepherd, and we are looking to fence our backyard (~400 linear feet). The problem is that there are alot of trees in our backyard, so we would need to cut quite a few down if we wanted to install a rigid fence like a wooden privacy fence.

Chain link would be an option I guess, but I hate to spend the money on chain link if I can't have wood.

So what I was thinking is to put wood posts every 6-8 feet just like I would for a wooden privacy fence, and then staple 6 foot high wire mesh to the wood posts on one or both sides. This way I can dodge the occasional tree in the fence path.

It obviously won't be as atractive as a wooden fence, but I think it might look better than chain link simply from having wooden posts. I'll just landscape it well with lots of ivy and other shrubs to cover up the wire mesh.

Thoughts? If I use wood posts set in concrete, I don't see the dog being able to knock it over. A 100lb dog wouldn't be able to bust through wire mesh would it?

 

[skyking]

Field fence keeps horses and cows in. Go to your local feed store and get that and metal posts and a post pounder. If this dog is a real problem get a fence charger and some wire and insulators, that will stop anything.

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/rangemaster-field-fence-47-height-p-57546.html?ref=42

 

[Capt Caveman]

If you're going to do that, I would just get that green wire fencing and use the green metal fence posts. You can just tap in those posts instead of digging for the wood posts.

At my first house, three sides of my backyard were fenced but one side had a low retaining wall with trees right above. I did the above for that side and it worked out well.

 

[bignateyk]

Field fence keeps horses and cows in. Go to your local feed store and get that and metal posts and a post pounder. If this dog is a real problem get a fence charger and some wire and insulators, that will stop anything.

Farm animals aren't throwing the entire weight of their bodies against those fences though. Plus I live in a residential neighborhood, so I don't want it to be too hideous, which is why I was thinking of using wood posts instead of metal T posts.

 

[bignateyk]

If you're going to do that, I would just get that green wire fencing and use the green metal fence posts. You can just tap in those posts instead of digging for the wood posts.

At my first house, three sides of my backyard were fenced but one side had a low retaining wall with trees right above. I did the above for that side and it worked out well.

I would be afraid the dog could knock the fence over if it was just those metal T posts pounded into the ground.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I would be afraid the dog could knock the fence over if it was just those metal T posts pounded into the ground.

I had two Rhodesian Ridgebacks and never had a problem even when one would fight thru the fence with a neighbors dog. You can pound those metal t posts as far down as a wood post.

If you're going to put the effort of putting down wood posts, I would just go with black chain link fencing and posts.

 

[skyking]

Farm animals aren't throwing the entire weight of their bodies against those fences though. Plus I live in a residential neighborhood, so I don't want it to be too hideous, which is why I was thinking of using wood posts instead of metal T posts.

Up to you on the looks. I tend to worry less about what the neighbors think about appearance, and worry more if my dog is scaring the crap out of them.
If he really slams into stuff trying to get at other dogs and people, I would definitely put up an electric wire.

 

[bignateyk]

I had two Rhodesian Ridgebacks and never had a problem even when one would fight thru the fence with a neighbors dog. You can pound those metal t posts as far down as a wood post.

If you're going to put the effort of putting down wood posts, I would just go with black chain link fencing and posts.

I guess if the T posts can support the weight it is probably a good option. What is the green wire mesh you speak of? Is it thicker than standard chicken wire?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Up to you on the looks. I tend to worry less about what the neighbors think about appearance, and worry more if my dog is scaring the crap out of them.
If he really slams into stuff trying to get at other dogs and people, I would definitely put up an electric wire.

Yeah, I'm sure the OP will be happy when some neighborhood kid touches the fence and gets zapped.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I guess if the T posts can support the weight it is probably a good option. What is the green wire mesh you speak of? Is it thicker than standard chicken wire?

It looks like this:

But comes in different patterns, heights and thicknesses. Home Depot or Lowes will carry the stuff.

 

[trmiv]

Yeah, I'm sure the OP will be happy when some neighborhood kid touches the fence and gets zapped.

Hell I would. Keep off my lawn whippersnappers!

 

[bignateyk]

Yeah, I'm sure the OP will be happy when some neighborhood kid touches the fence and gets zapped.

haha, yeah.

I'm not planning on leaving the dog out there un-attended for hours on end, but i'd like to feel comfortable that if he saw a cat or something and got a running start and threw himself into the fence that the whole thing wouldn't just topple over. I guess maybe what I could do is use 8 foot T posts for most of it, but like every 50 feet or so put a wooden post set in concrete to anchor it all.

 

[robphelan]

we have a similar situation. we have wooden 4" x 4" posts set in concrete every 8 feet. We ran three 2" x 8" boards horizontally from post to post. Between the posts and the horizontal boards, we rolled out and stapled hog wire.

 

[bignateyk]

we have a similar situation. we have wooden 4" x 4" posts set in concrete every 8 feet. We ran three 2" x 8" boards horizontally from post to post. Between the posts and the horizontal boards, we rolled out and stapled hog wire.

Hmm, that's an interesting idea.

 

[Tremulant]

Totally unrelated, but when I read dog fencing I thought of two dogs actually fencing. In the white suits with the helmets and everything.

 

[bignateyk]

Totally unrelated, but when I read dog fencing I thought of two dogs actually fencing. In the white suits with the helmets and everything.

 

[hanoverphist]

A 100lb dog wouldn't be able to bust through wire mesh would it?

i have a pen built in my back yard for my dogs when i need to keep them out of the house and yard, chain link with poles set 2ft under as well as in concrete. my smaller dog, shes about 50lbs, broke the brackets holding the bottom pole to the main posts and forced the whole thing up so she could scurry underneath. if the dog wants out, it will get out. a 100lb dog could take out the mesh at its whimsy im sure.

and why cant you do the same with wood? you do know you can make angles with wooden fence, right?

 

[skyking]

The wire is on a standoff 6 inches inside the fence. kid would have to lay down and reach through. He'd have to work hard for his thrills
http://www.fishock.com/store/electric-fence-insulators/sc-25b

I'll quit posting, I keep forgetting not everyone grew up on a farm

 

[ElFenix]

we have a similar situation. we have wooden 4" x 4" posts set in concrete every 8 feet. We ran three 2" x 8" boards horizontally from post to post. Between the posts and the horizontal boards, we rolled out and stapled hog wire.

do i know you? i helped a friend of mine do exactly the same thing.

 

[Leros]

My dog has ripped off a few nails on mesh fencing. Make sure its large enough opening he won't be tempted to paw or claw at it.

 

[bignateyk]

My dog has ripped off a few nails on mesh fencing. Make sure its large enough opening he won't be tempted to paw or claw at it.

Hmm. I would think he would be more likely to paw at it if it had bigger openings (2"x4") as opposed to 1"x1". With the 2x4 he could fit his paw into the gap and pull back on it whereas with the 1x1 he could just scratch at the surface. Though I guess if he was doing that he might start to tear the mesh.

 

[Leros]

Hmm. I would think he would be more likely to paw at it if it had bigger openings (2"x4") as opposed to 1"x1". With the 2x4 he could fit his paw into the gap and pull back on it whereas with the 1x1 he could just scratch at the surface. Though I guess if he was doing that he might start to tear the mesh.

Scratching at the surface is what leads to tearing. They won't continually scratch at large holes, but they will if they can run their paws over the surface. Eventually a nail will snag and possibly get hurt.

 

[bignateyk]

Scratching at the surface is what leads to tearing. They won't continually scratch at large holes, but they will if they can run their paws over the surface. Eventually a nail will snag and possibly get hurt.

Thanks, i'll keep that in mind.

 

[Kelvrick]

Pics of yard?

I'm wondering why you wouldn't just curve around some of the trees with a wooden fence.

 

[0roo0roo]

why not wood just have to improvise around trees, you can cut wood after all.