Keep Pets Safe with DogFence

Don’t Wait Until Your Dog Goes Missing or Chases Livestock: How to Secure Gardens for Dogs and Keep Pets Safe with DogFence

Living in the countryside brings freedom, fresh air, and space for your dog to run — but it also brings unique challenges. How can an owners create secure gardens for dogs? If your property borders farmland, woods, or open spaces, it’s critical to have a reliable containment system to keep your dog safe and prevent them from chasing livestock or wildlife. Otherwise, you risk your dog getting lost, injured, or causing harm to your neighbours’ animals.

⚠️ The Legal and Financial Risks of Dogs Worrying Livestock

While dogs are often just inquisitive, to a farmer, livestock represents their livelihood. In the UK, under the Animals Act 1971, farmers are legally permitted to protect their livestock. This can include shooting a dog that is actively worrying their sheep, provided there are no other reasonable means to end or prevent the worrying .

Allowing a dog to worry livestock is a criminal offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, punishable by a fine of up to £1,000, plus potential costs and compensation orders .

Recent data highlights the growing concern:

In 2023, farm animals worth an estimated £2.4 million were severely injured or killed by dogs, marking a nearly 30% increase from the previous year .
A 2024 survey revealed that 78% of rural crime teams reported an increase in dog attacks on sheep over recent years .

Livestock attacks by dog are on the increase

Why Traditional Fencing Often Isn’t Enough

Challenges of Physical Fences in Rural Areas

Traditional physical fencing is often expensive, time-consuming, and impractical on rural or uneven terrain. Worse, traditional fences can be dug under, jumped over, or damaged by wild animals such as badgers, foxes, deer etc leaving your dog vulnerable to escape.

Limitations of Traditional Fencing to Create Secure Gardens for Dogs

Cost: Traditional fences typically start around £35 per metre, while DogFence systems start from about £6 per metre, including professional installation and training.
Installation Time: Building a physical fence can take weeks or months, especially if your land is uneven or expansive.
Vulnerability: Animals such as badgers or foxes can dig holes underneath fences, and dogs can jump over or even break through physical barriers.
Aesthetics and Permissions: Traditional fences can affect the look of your property and may require planning permission in some areas.
Lack of Flexibility: Once installed, a physical fence is fixed. If you want to expand or change your containment area, it can be costly and difficult.

Why Choose an Electronic Dog Fence from DogFence?

UK’s Experts in Electronic Dog Containment

DogFence is the UK’s leading expert in electronic dog containment, having safely installed and trained over 20,000 pets on our advanced systems. Unlike basic mail-order kits, our digital dog fencing solutions are designed for long-lasting reliability, maximum safety, and adaptability to almost any environment. Find out more here.

Creating secure fencing on Almost Any Terrain

Our systems can be installed on nearly any terrain, including:

Slopes, hills, and uneven ground
Gardens surrounded by streams or shallow rivers (our cables are waterproof and can run underwater)
Open fields and driveways, creating secure boundaries exactly where you need them

What’s more, our system is transportable — if you move house, you can easily take the dog fence transmitter and collars with you and reinstall it at your new property, making it a smart long-term investment.

More Than Just a Boundary: Customisable Pet Protection

Our electronic dog fences don’t just keep dogs contained; they can be used to protect specific areas within your property, keeping your pets away from:

Swimming pools or ponds
Chicken coops and rabbit runs
Flower beds or vegetable patches

This flexibility means your dog can enjoy a large safe area without compromising your property or causing damage.

Neil’s Story: Real Success with DogFence

A Perfect Example from the Orkney Islands

Neil lives in a rural location on the Orkney Islands surrounded by sheep, cows, and a neighbour with over 200 free-roaming chickens. His Whippet x Saluki is a fast, natural hunter — which posed a real risk to the local wildlife and his dog’s safety.

After choosing DogFence’s advanced electronic dog fence, Neil found installation easy and the training effective. After just one week, his dog fully understood the boundaries.

Dog chasing chicken in garden

“The dog has not been able to get out of our 1-acre land since the fence was installed. I cannot recommend this system highly enough. My dog can run freely, and the animals in neighbouring fields are safe. Also, when I’ve called for advice, I always get through to a real person, not an automated menu—which is a nice change. 10 out of 10 for the product and service.”

Neil’s experience is typical of many of our satisfied customers who want to secure gardens for dogs and prevent dogs running away — even in the most challenging rural environments.

Why DogFence is the UK’s Expert to Create Secure Gardens for Dogs

Advanced Technology and Professional Training

At DogFence, we don’t just supply collars and wires; we deliver complete peace of mind with:

Advanced digital software that delivers consistent, safe impulses tailored to your dog’s personality and size
Lightweight, comfortable collars that your pet can wear all day without discomfort
Heavy-grade boundary wire designed to last decades and resist damage from weather or animals
Fully trained, professional installers who handle the setup and provide thorough, onsite training for you and your pet
Our exclusive Containment Promise, which backs the reliability and safety of our system

Our team has installed systems on properties ranging from small city gardens to expansive country estates — and we adapt to your needs.

Take Action Now: Protect Your Pet and Peace of Mind

Don’t wait for an emergency to happen — prevent your dog running away or chasing livestock before it’s too late. With DogFence, you can create a safe, secure space where your dog can enjoy freedom without risk.

Call us today on 01628 476475 for a free consultation and personalised quote.

➡️ Or visit dogfence.co.uk to learn more about how our systems can work for your property.

Let DogFence help you secure your garden for dogs and keep your pets safe — wherever you live, whatever your terrain.

Dog Fence Options Compared: Wooden, Mesh, and Invisible Systems

When you’re researching dog fence options, you’ll quickly see there are many different choices — from traditional wooden panels and wire mesh to modern invisible dog fences. But not all solutions are equal when it comes to keeping your dog safe and secure.

In this guide, we’ll compare the most common types of dog fence options, their pros and cons, and explain why an invisible FM frequency fence is often the safest and most cost-effective choice.

Why Do You Need A Fence?

Most pet owners will experience a dog that loves to escape — whether it’s jumping a 6ft fence, digging under the hedge, or simply heading off on an unplanned walk. While this may seem harmless, an escaping dog can:

Put themselves in danger from cars, livestock, or poisoning.
Cause accidents on the road.
Knock over or frighten strangers.
Risk unexpected vet bills or even fines from the dog warden.

A secure fence isn’t just about protecting your dog — it protects others too and gives you peace of mind.

Dog escaping over wooden fence showing need for secure dog fence options

Some dogs see traditional fences as just another challenge.

Wooden Panel Fencing

Wooden fencing may look sturdy, but it isn’t fool-proof.

Panels often sit slightly above the ground, making it easy for dogs to dig underneath.
Athletic dogs may simply jump over, even if the fence is 6ft tall.
Regular maintenance is required to stop rotting or repair storm damage.
Costs can quickly mount if you need to replace panels or add extra barriers.

For determined dogs, wooden fencing can be little more than a temporary fix.

Wire Mesh Fencing

Wire mesh is another common option, but it often causes more problems than it solves:

Dogs can see through the mesh, leading to barking, fence-running, and frustration.
Neighbours or passers-by can tease or even harm your dog.
Digging under is still possible.

While affordable, wire mesh is rarely a long-term solution for escape-prone dogs.

Why Chaining Is Never the Answer

Some owners resort to chaining a dog when fences fail. But chaining:

Severely restricts exercise.
Causes stress, boredom, and frustration.
Increases aggression and behavioural problems.

It’s unsafe and unfair for the dog — and definitely not a recommended containment method.

Wireless & Invisible Dog Fences

This is where technology offers a smarter solution. Invisible fences use a boundary wire, transmitter, and a computer collar to create a safe containment zone. But not all systems are equal.

AM Frequency Fences (Old Technology)

Can be disrupted by Wi-Fi, TVs, or even light dimmers.
Slow response times mean pets can “outrun” the signal.
Risk of false activations, shocking your dog unnecessarily.

FM Frequency Fences (Modern Technology)

Use secure, fast, digital signals that ignore interference.
Quick reaction time keeps pets safely contained.
Safety cut-off prevents over-correction.
Can be installed around any property size — from small gardens to estates of 350+ acres.
Invisible and planning-friendly.

Learn more about how an invisible dog fence system works.

Why FM Invisible Fences Are the Best Option

Compared to traditional fencing, an FM invisible fence:

Costs a fraction of installing tall panels or mesh.
Works on all terrains, including driveways, hedges, and wooded areas.
Is safe, proven, and recommended by vets.
Gives your dog freedom within safe boundaries.

Learn more about how an invisible dog fence system works.

Dog safely contained with an invisible dog fence system

Invisible dog fences keep pets safe without changing your view.

The Benefits of Secure Fencing

Choosing the right dog fence isn’t just about stopping escapes — it brings peace of mind and real protection for both your pet and the wider community:

Your dog stays safe from roads, poisons, livestock, and other dangers.
Others are protected — no risk of your dog knocking someone over or frightening passers-by.
Lower costs — avoid dog warden fees (often £50+ per incident) and unexpected vet bills.
Prevent accidents — escaped dogs can cause road traffic collisions, which are sadly on the rise.
No unwanted litters if your dog hasn’t been neutered.
Protect other animals — you won’t be liable for injuries to neighbouring pets or livestock.
Peace of mind knowing your dog can enjoy freedom without escaping.

If you also own cats, our cat fence system is designed to keep them safely contained too.

Cat sitting on a garden statue – safe alternatives to roaming with a cat fence system

Even adventurous cats need safe boundaries — our cat fence system keeps them secure without restricting freedom.

Final Thoughts

If you want complete peace of mind, an FM invisible fence is the safest and most reliable option to stop escapes and keep your dog secure.

Call us today on 01628 476475

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Prevent Dog Escapes | Secure Garden Fence from DogFence