The 9 Best Fences for Dogs, From Diggers to Jumpers

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

A fenced-in yard is the holy grail for dog parents, allowing pups a private space to roam and play. If you aren’t lucky enough to already have a fence in place at your home, don’t worry—there are plenty of permanent and temporary solutions you can install yourself or with the help of professionals.

From wire exercise pens to heavy-duty outdoor barriers, the market is full of dog fence options to keep your pup safely contained. Knowing what to look for can help you find the right one. We’re here to narrow down the choices with the help of certified dog trainer and counselor Janice Zazinski. Hop down to our explainer on what to look for when shopping for dog fences, or dive straight in with our top picks.

Best Limited-Visibility Dog Fence: YARDLINK 4-ft x 6-ft Cedar Fence Panel

With its modern styling, no-dig installation, and 6-foot-wide modular panels at a moderate price point, this fence offers an easy option for dog parents looking to put up a good perimeter quickly. The horizontal slats add privacy without eliminating all visibility, and an optional gate panel allows for easy yard access. Plus, cedar is a durable wood with natural weather- and insect-resistant properties.

Depending on how you set the fence, smaller dogs may be able to squeeze under the bottom of the panels. High jumpers and larger dogs may easily find their way over the moderate 4-foot height as well, which makes the YARDLINK fence best for medium-sized or less ambitious dogs who aren’t focused on freedom.

Best Budget Low-Cost Pet Fence: Tenax Pet Fence

If you’re looking for something unobstructive, semi-permanent, and affordable, this plastic dog fence is a fantastic option. The border fence installs in a jiffy to keep your dog in—and other animals out of—the yard. It’s made from strong plastic and can be used as temporary fencing or a more long-lasting solution.

The 4-foot-tall polypropylene fencing material comes in lengths of 100- and 330-feet. Stretch it along the perimeter of your yard, securing it to stakes or posts for a low-visibility, high-impact fence. The fence is budget-friendly and easy to install with zip ties or a staple gun.

Best Basic Dog Exercise Pen: MidWest Folding Metal Exercise Pen

If you’re looking for an inexpensive dog fence you can throw up quickly and pack away when you’re done, this is a perfect choice. A classic exercise pen, the MidWest Homes metal dog pen provides 16 square feet of enclosed space for your dog, and it can be expanded with the purchase of additional panels. The two-foot-wide panels can be arranged in several configurations, including a divided space to separate two dogs.

The lightweight panels may not be strong enough for determined escape artists, even with the addition of ground stakes for extra security. Still, the variety of available heights, the sturdy metal construction, and the affordable price makes this exercise pen a great temporary or portable option to keep pets contained.

Best for Jumpers, Climbers, and Reactive Dogs: Halifax 6 ft. H x 8 ft. W White Vinyl Privacy Fence Panel Kit

While this fence kit is on the pricier end and best suited for homeowners, it offers several important features to keep high-energy dogs safe and calm inside the yard. The vertical boards are tightly arranged to eliminate visibility and prevent climbing, while the 6-foot height and spiked ends at the top make it more difficult to get in or out.

Made of commercial-grade vinyl, the fence is weather-resistant, requires minimal maintenance, and is easy to clean. Handy homeowners may be able to install the fence themselves, but professional installation services are also available. That, of course, all adds to the cost, but it’s a well-rated option for anyone seeking a more permanent dog fence solution.

Best Indoor/Outdoor Dog Fence: Iris 8-Panel Exercise Pen

Made from heavy-duty molded plastic, the IRIS exercise pen can be used almost anywhere. It’s durable and weather-resistant for use in the yard, but has rubber feet to protect the floors in your home should you move it inside.

The pen consists of eight panels that come together to provide over 21 square feet of space, and it has a small door on the bottom so your pup can go in and out without you having to take it apart. The pen is best suited for puppies or smaller dogs, but multiple pens can be combined for a bigger space as well.

Best Portable Dog Fence: BestPet Heavy Duty Pet Playpen

Searching for a temporary dog fence that doesn’t compromise on space? This strong, secure dog exercise pen is made of steel panels coated to prevent rust and corrosion. Each panel is 40 inches high, great for breeds of all sizes. It also comes in packs of 8, 16, 24, and 32 panels, allowing you to enclose a smaller or larger area for your pups as needed.

The fence can easily be set up in a circle to create a sturdy outdoor dog pen or placed against a wall to expand on a particular area, which is great for dog-friendly travel. The secure gate makes it easy to get in and out of the pen without letting a dog escape. Even at almost 4-feet tall, enthusiastic jumpers may be able to clear the height, but overall it’s a great option for use at home or on the road.

Best Picket Fence: Coarbor Garden Decorative Fence Panel

When the aesthetics of your home call for the classic styling of a white picket fence, this easy-care vinyl version is a handy and practical option. Each panel is 36 inches tall and 84 inches wide. They’re sold in packs ranging from 1 panel to 10, allowing pet parents to purchase the exact amount they need, and extra posts are available as well.

While the overall height is lower than some options, the picket styling helps to deter dogs from climbing or jumping over. Plus, the fence can be installed on concrete or grass, making it a flexible option for a variety of yard styles.

Best for Small Dogs: CLEASO 5-Panel No Dig Outdoor Garden Fence

Designed primarily as a decorative garden barrier, this five-panel metal fence with a built-in gate is a great option for small dogs. The weather-resistant metal construction installs easily with no digging required, and the fence can be shaped in a variety of configurations to fit your yard and your pup.

At 32 inches tall, this fence best for small dogs. It comes in 5- and 10-panel options for flexible sizing, and it’s made of rustproof metal with a stylish scalloped shape.

Best for Diggers: Dig Defence XL Animal Dig Barrier

To prevent your dogs (or outside pests) from digging underneath your new or existing fence, consider this Dig Defence XL barrier. Each pack comes with 15 steel panels that overlap with the existing fence and extend into the ground.

The steel rods can be secured to the bottom of nearly any kind of fence and are approximately 15-inches tall. While they don’t work as a fence on their own, they are a great option to add an extra barrier to keep diggers in.

How To Build a DIY Dog Fence

Low-budget dog fence plans are all over the internet—but before you opt for one, you’ll want to consider the needs of your particular dog. Will a cursory boundary do the trick, or do you need something jump- and dig-proof for an escape-artist? Will an easy DIY fence work, or do you need something heavy duty?

For those who don’t have to defend against regular Houdinis, a Tenax fence is one of the simplest options. Here’s how to build your own Tenax fence:

1. Clearly lay out the line where you’ll place your fence, placing stakes roughly every five feet along the fence line. How sturdy (and how permanent) your stakes should be depends on how strong you want your fencing. T-posts are a popular pick.
2. Drive your stakes into the ground (a post driver can make the job easier). The stakes need to have at least 1/3 of their hight beneath the ground.
3. Stretch your netting (Tenax is a frequent choice) across your posts and secure it with a fence tie (zip ties can also work, but make sure your dog isn’t likely to nibble them).
4. Use anchor pins to secure your netting to the ground at regular intervals.
5. If you have a dog who loves to dig, consider adding an additional barrier like Dig Defence.

How To Choose the Right Dog Fence

Dog fences come in many different shapes and forms, from portable puppy playpens to permanent in-ground systems. Height, materials, permanence, and cost are all important considerations in choosing the right fence for your pup.

Here are some things to look for when you start shopping for a dog fence:

• Quality of materials. The entire point of a dog fence is to keep your dog enclosed, so you’ll want to avoid flimsy materials that your pup can easily get through. Fences can be made of plastic, metal, or wood. Janice Zazinski of Janice Z Dog Training explains that the materials you choose should depend on the size of your pup and how determined they are to get out.
• Wall height, depth, and spacing. The appropriate height and spacing of a dog fence depends your dog’s size. Pick a fence that is high enough to prevent your dog from jumping over, with openings small enough to keep them from squeezing through. Larger dogs will inevitably require taller fences, while small dogs and puppies can be safely contained with smaller walls.
• Level of privacy. “A dog who has Very Big Feelings (also called reactive) may not enjoy seeing the world pass by on the other side of the fence,” says Zazinski. “In that case, privacy fencing would be more appropriate.” She explains that privacy fences can be comforting to passersby too, who may not be comfortable meeting your pup face-to-face.
• Space and shape. For short periods of time, a small fence or playpen may be adequate. “For most dogs, quality outdoor time is more important than huge amounts of space,” says Zazinsky. However, if you plan to keep your dog outside for any length of time, they’ll need separate spaces to do their business and to play.
• Safety and stability. Safety is always the number-one priority for your dog. Look for a fence that firmly anchors to the ground or has an interlocking design to keep it from falling over. The bigger or more ambitious your dog is, the more stable your fence should be.
• Temporary vs. permanent. Permanent fencing is often the most secure option, but it can be costly and inaccessible for renters. When affordability is a concern, or you need something more temporary, Zazinski says you have options. “I”m a huge fan of DIY plastic or metal mesh fences secured with stakes and staples/anchors.” She also recommends starting small and expanding on the fence setup as finances allow.

Beyond the basics, pet parents with avid diggers, jumpers, or climbers should consider additional features to keep their dog from getting out. Zazinski also notes that keeping dogs in is only half the battle: a good dog fence should also keep out unwelcome animal visitors.

“There are lots of fencing products to prevent escape and unauthorized entry,” says Zazinski. “Burying wire mesh at the base so dogs can’t dig out or in, adding anti-climb toppers or coyote rollers, and even adding an inner fence as a buffer (for instance, DIY wire mesh) in front of an attractive wood or vinyl fence.”

Adding motion-activated lights can further alert pet parents to backyard invaders before letting pups out the door. Zazinski also suggests pet parents “‘walk your bounds’ daily to see where your dog may have tried to escape or something may have tried to come in,” repairing or filling holes as you go.

Dogs and Fence Safety

While electric fences are another popular option for keeping dogs contained, we have chosen not to include them in this list based on the recommendations of various experts, including Zazinski. Unlike physical fencing options, e-fences are often ineffective at keeping dogs in the yard, offer no barrier to other pets or wild animals, and elevate stress in pups rather than providing an enjoyable outdoor experience.

Finally, while dog fencing helps to keep your dog in the yard and away from hazards like busy streets and wild animals, Zazinski says that dogs still shouldn’t be left alone outside for long periods of time. Supervising your pups, fence or not, is key to keeping them safe.

How We Chose

The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We prioritized fences in a variety of materials and styles with strong anchors, safe attachments, and reasonable height. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pups, who are never stingy with their feedback.

Further Reading

• The Best Dog Gates and Playpens for Dogs (Even Escape Artists)
• The 10 Best Puppy Playpens for Your Playful Pup
• The 8 Best Dog Tie-Outs and Yard Leashes for Safety on a Line
• How To Stop a Dog from Digging