Checking a long boundary
A big garden may have a boundary that includes an old fence, a stretch of hedge, a wall and a few gaps in between. Dogs and children find the weakest point, and over a long boundary there are usually several. Walk the full length slowly, looking at the base as much as the top, and write down every place you find a gap or loose section.
Large Edgbaston gardens often have trees and mature planting along the boundary, and roots can lift boards or push panels out of line. Where a hedge stands in for a fence, you may need a panel or wire behind it to close the gaps. Treat each stretch separately, because a good section can hide a poor one just round the corner. Do not forget the gap at the corners, where an old fence meets a wall or hedge, because that join is often the weakest point on the whole boundary.
Panel height for jumpers
Some breeds will happily clear a low fence, especially if there is a bank, bin or raised bed to give them a lift. A taller panel makes jumping harder, but height limits depend on the boundary and the location, so check with your local council before you build higher. General information only, and each case is different.
Keep anything climbable away from the fence. Garden furniture, compost bins and log piles all act as steps. If a dog is determined, a trellis top or an angled extension can discourage it. It is better to prevent the habit than to deal with it after it has begun, so look at what is near the fence as well as the fence itself.
Digging and soft ground
Dogs dig under fences, particularly where the soil is soft or the gravel board is missing. Along a long garden you may find scrapes at the corners or beside the shed, where they feel hidden. Fill those spots and press the soil down firmly, then fit a board or lay slabs against the base of the fence.
Firm boards are important. A board that has rotted at the end or has come away from a post leaves a gap that a dog will widen. In older Edgbaston gardens, timber has often been in the ground for a long time, so test it by pressing and tapping. Replace anything soft, and keep checking through the year. It also helps to watch the dog for a few minutes, since where it sniffs and paws tells you where the fence needs attention first.
Quick tips
- Walk the whole boundary and make a list of every gap, loose board and weak point before you plan the work.
- Keep furniture, bins and planters away from the fence so dogs cannot use them as a step.
- Fill any scrapes or soft patches at the foot of the fence and press them down firmly.
- Check height limits with your local council before putting up a taller panel.
If your garden in Edgbaston, in the B15 and B16 area, needs a safer boundary for children and dogs, call us or send a photo of the fence and its location. We also work in Harborne and Moseley, with no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a long garden boundary for weak points?
Walk the full length slowly, looking at the base as much as the top, and list every gap or loose section. Edgbaston gardens may mix fence, hedge and wall, so treat each stretch separately and pay particular attention to the corners where they meet.
Can a taller panel stop a dog jumping out?
A taller panel makes jumping harder, but height limits depend on the boundary, so check with your local council before building higher. This is general information only. In Edgbaston, also keep bins, furniture and log piles away from the fence so they cannot act as steps.
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