How to Stop a Dog Squeezing Through a Gate (UK Guide)

Stop dog squeezing through gate behaviour early, and you can prevent a full escape before it becomes a habit.

If your dog is escaping through a gate gap or fitting through a small gap in the fence, the issue is rarely obedience — it’s opportunity. Many UK garden gates leave small gaps at the sides, base, or hinge area that a determined dog can exploit.

When trying to stop dog squeezing through gate gaps, both motivation and physical weakness must be addressed.

If you’re dealing with repeated escape attempts, our complete guide on how to stop a dog running away explains how behaviour, boundary security and consistent training work together to prevent it long term

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Why Is My Dog Squeezing Through the Gate?

If you need to stop dog squeezing through gate gaps, first consider what is driving the behaviour.

Common triggers include:

• Wildlife or livestock beyond the boundary
• Other dogs nearby
• Boredom or excess energy
• Separation anxiety
• Seasonal behaviour

Once a dog succeeds at escaping through gate gap weaknesses, the behaviour quickly becomes reinforced.

If broader roaming is developing, see our guide on how to stop your dog running away.

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Where Do Dogs Usually Escape Through a Gate?

Most escape points occur in one of these areas:

• The gap between gate and post
• Underneath the gate
• Worn hinge areas
• Driveway double gates
• Sloping ground beneath gate

Even a surprisingly small opening can allow a dog fitting through small gap fence areas to slip out.

If your dog can fit their head through the space, they can usually fit their body through too.

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How to Stop Dog Squeezing Through Gate Gaps

To properly stop dog squeezing through gate vulnerabilities, focus on both structural fixes and behaviour management.

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1. Reduce the Gap Width

Measure the space between the gate and post carefully.

Ways to prevent dog getting through fence gap spaces include:

• Installing timber batten strips
• Adding metal or mesh infill panels
• Fitting flexible rubber gap strips
• Adjusting hinges to reduce spacing

If you have a secure driveway gate for dogs, ensure the spacing remains tight at both top and base.

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2. Secure the Base of the Gate

Dogs often escape underneath rather than beside the gate.

You can:

• Install a timber kickboard
• Add a ground-level barrier strip
• Level uneven soil
• Install gravel boards

If digging is also happening, see our guide on how to stop dog digging under fence

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3. Remove Launch or Climb Points

Some dogs squeeze through a gate gap after lifting themselves slightly using:

• Garden furniture
• Wheelie bins
• Raised steps
• Logs or stored materials

Clearing these obstacles can help stop dog squeezing through gate attempts before they escalate.

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4. Address the Underlying Motivation

If your dog repeatedly attempts to squeeze through the gate, the desire to leave remains strong.

Increase:

• Daily exercise
• Mental stimulation
• Supervision during high-risk times

If your dog is also jumping fencing elsewhere, see our article on fence height to stop dog jumping.

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What If My Driveway Gate Can’t Be Fully Sealed?

In many rural and semi-rural UK properties, open driveways and decorative gates make it difficult to completely eliminate every gap.

If you cannot fully stop dog squeezing through gate spaces structurally, you may need a consistent perimeter solution instead.

A professionally installed electronic dog fence system can secure driveways, gates and irregular terrain without altering your property’s appearance.

Rather than relying solely on blocking physical gaps, containment systems teach dogs exactly where the limit lies.

Learn more in our guide on how electronic dog fences work.

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Final Thoughts: Securing Gate Weak Points Properly

To stop dog squeezing through gate vulnerabilities permanently, you must remove both the opportunity and the motivation.

Small gaps often seem harmless — until a dog proves otherwise.

At DogFence, we frequently work with properties where driveway gates and rural boundaries leave hidden weak points. When a clear perimeter is properly introduced, escape attempts typically settle — even in determined dogs.

If you’d like tailored advice on securing your driveway gate for dogs, contact our team for a free assessment.