Article summary
Secure, gap-free fencing options designed to keep your pets safely contained in the yard.
- Category:
- design
- Read time:
- 3 min
- Published:
- 15 May 2025
- Written by:
- My Homes Fencing Expert
Quick answer: the best pet fencing is tall enough that your dog can't jump it, has gaps too small to squeeze through, and — crucially — is sealed at the bottom so a digger can't get under. Solid timber or close-board fencing suits most dogs; for jumpers, go taller (or angle the top inward), and for diggers, run the fence to the ground with a buried barrier or ground rail. Match the height and gaps to your specific pet.
Containing a pet safely is about closing the three escape routes — over, through and under. Here's how to fence for it in an Auckland yard.
Height: Stopping Jumpers and Climbers
Height is the first consideration, and it depends entirely on your dog. Many dogs are comfortably contained by a standard 1.8m fence, but athletic breeds can clear or scramble surprisingly high, so for a known jumper you may want extra height or a top section angled slightly inward to defeat the leap. Solid fencing also helps, because a dog that can't see through is less likely to be triggered into trying to get out.
Cats are a different challenge — they'll climb almost anything — so cat containment usually needs specialised angled or netted toppers rather than height alone. For dogs, matching the fence height honestly to your pet's ability is what prevents the 'escaped again' cycle.
Gaps and the All-Important Bottom
Through-gaps matter as much as height. Palings or panels need to be spaced so your pet — especially a small dog or a puppy — can't squeeze between them or through a decorative pattern. Close-boarded timber, solid panels or tight pickets are the safe choices; widely spaced slats or post-and-rail alone often aren't for smaller animals.
The most overlooked escape route is underneath. Determined dogs dig, so the fence should run right down to the ground with no gaps, and for known diggers a buried barrier, ground rail or a strip of paving along the base stops them tunnelling out. Sloping Auckland sections need particular attention here, as gaps open up where the ground falls away under a fence line.
Gates, Materials and Peace of Mind
A fence is only as secure as its gate. Self-closing hinges and a reliable, pet-proof latch stop the classic escape when someone leaves a gate ajar, and the gate should close with no gap at the bottom or sides that an animal could slip through. It's worth spending on good gate hardware for exactly this reason.
Timber close-board fencing is the popular, cost-effective choice for dogs; aluminium or metal works too, provided the spacing suits your pet. Whatever the material, we can design the height, gap spacing and base detail around your specific animal so the yard is genuinely secure — a free on-site look is the best way to get it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many dogs are contained by a standard 1.8m fence, but athletic jumpers may need extra height or a top angled inward. Solid fencing also helps, since a dog that can't see through is less likely to try to escape. Match the height to your dog's ability.
Run the fence right to the ground with no gaps, and for known diggers add a buried barrier, a ground rail, or a strip of paving along the base. Sloping sections need extra attention where gaps open up as the ground falls away.
Close-boarded timber or solid panels are ideal — tall enough, no through-gaps, and sealed at the bottom. Whatever the material, gap spacing must suit your pet's size, and the gate needs a self-closing, pet-proof latch with no gap underneath.
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