How to Build a Dog Fence

How to Build a DIY Dog Fence

The following steps outline how to build a fence with wooden posts and rails. To fill the space between the rails, either welded wire or PVC netting can be used and both processes are included.

1. Plan Corner Post Placement
   

   The first step to laying out your fence lines is to determine the placement of your corner posts. For a standard four-corner fence that attaches to your house, two corner posts will sit against your house at your chosen positions. The other two corner posts will sit away from your house. Mark each post's position with marking spray paint.
   

   Warning

   Before digging in your yard for this type of project, the law requires you to call 811 to have underground utilities in your yard located and marked.

2. Drive Stakes and Run String
   

   To ensure your posts are squared, you'll need to run string lines. To do this, first, drive a stake at the post marks nearest your house.

   The corner posts sitting away from your house will need to be staked a couple of feet past where the post will actually sit, with two stakes positioned 90 degrees from one another. This will allow you to run mason string to the stakes which will aid in setting the posts square by hovering just above the hole and creating a 90-degree angle guide. Repeat this for each corner post, then tightly run your string.

3. Set Corner Posts
   

   To set a corner post, use an auger or post hole digger to dig a 2-foot-deep hole. Place a 6-inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the hole then lower the post in and fasten a post level to the top. Attach two scrap-board support legs to the post positioned at 90 degrees.

   Maneuver the post until it's sitting against your 90-degree string guide. Once perfectly positioned and plumbed, drive a stake beside each support leg and, without moving the post, screw the support leg to the stake.

   Now that the post is secured in position, mix fast-setting concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions, then fill the hole. Repeat for the remaining corner posts.

4. Run String Line
   

   Now that the corner posts are in place and the concrete is set, remove the support legs and stakes. Tightly run the mason string close to the ground stretching from post to post to establish your fence lines.

5. Mark Remaining Posts
   

   Use marking spray paint to mark the remaining posts' placement. The rails will consist of 10-foot boards, so place the posts just under 10 feet apart to ensure the rails aren't too short to span the distance. If you plan to include a gate in your design, this is the time to layout the placement.

6. Dig Post Holes
   

   Once you've marked every post's position on the ground, remove the mason string and dig each hole.

7. Run New Mason String
   

   Run a mason string guideline once more from corner post to corner post.

8. Set Posts
   

   Set each inner post against your string line. While it's not necessary for each inner post to be set in concrete, it's wise to set any post that will hold a gate with concrete. We chose to set our inner posts using a mixture of dirt and gravel, with a 6-inch layer of gravel at the bottom of the hole for drainage.

   Tamp each post in as you add the dirt and gravel mixture to ensure it is firmly packed, and check for plumb as you go.

9. Cut Story Pole
   

   A story pole or story stick is a piece of wood cut to a specific length that you will use as a reference to mark the height of each post. If you're building a 4-foot fence, account for 3 inches beneath the wire and at least 3 inches above by cutting your story pole to 54 inches in length.

10. Mark and Cut Posts
    

    Walk around the fence perimeter and mark each post using your story pole as a guide. Once marked, cut the excess off of each post using either a chainsaw or a circular saw.

11. Attach Welded Wire or PVC Netting
    

    The process of mounting the welded wire to the fence isn't much different than the process used to mount the PVC netting, but any discrepancies will be noted.

    Begin by mounting the end of the material roll to the corner post nearest to the house, positioned on the outside of the post sitting 2-3 inches from the ground. Both materials can be mounted to the post using galvanized staples. You'll need one staple at the top, one at the bottom, and several equally spaced throughout the middle.

    Warning

    For both welded wire and PVC netting, it's important to refrain from overdriving the staples. You want them tight, but not tight enough to sever the material they're intended to hold.

12. Unroll Fence Material to Next Corner Post
    

    While you may be tempted to mount the material to each post as you unroll it, it's much better to first mount it to the next corner post. Unroll the material until you reach the next post.

13. Stretch and Mount Fence Material
    

    Stretch the material as much as possible before stapling it to the corner post. Once stapled, cut the mounted fence material from the roll, leaving enough to wrap around to the other side of the corner post. Staple the excess to the other side of the post.

    Tip

    Stretching PVC netting by hand can be fairly effective, but if you really want welded wire fence stretched tightly, you may need a fence stretcher. In this particular application, tightly hand stretching will do the trick, as the welded wire is simply a secondary barrier held in place by the wood posts and rails.

14. Mount Next Row of Fence
    

    Starting at the corner post where you terminated the last row of fence material, begin the new row. Wrap it around the corner post as you did in the previous step, and secure it with staples. Pull the material to the next corner post, mount it, and cut it in the same manner as the previous post. Repeat the process on the remaining rows.

15. Secure Fence Material to Inner Posts
    

    Use galvanized staples to secure the fence material to each inner post, adjusting the material to evenly follow the lay of the land as you go. At a minimum, place one staple at the bottom and top, as well as one near the center.

16. Plan Horizontal Rail Layout
    

    The horizontal rails will sit on the outside of the fence, mounted over the top of the rolled fence material. The amount of horizontal rails is adjustable according to your preference and budget constraints, but at minimum, the fence will require one at the top, one at the bottom, and one in the center. If your fence is taller than 4 feet, opt for additional rails in between the top and bottom. Our 4-foot fence will feature four rails.

17. Mount Horizontal Rails
    

    Between each set of posts, mount a top rail and a bottom rail with the edges of the rolled fence material centered on each board. Cut the rails so the ends sit in the middle of each post and screw them into place using two 3-1/2-inch exterior wood screws on each end. Mount your desired number of middle horizontal rails equally spaced from the bottom and top rails.

    Tip

    While you may be tempted to cut your rails ahead of time, it's better to measure and cut them as you go because the posts likely are not perfectly spaced.

18. Seal the Fence
    

    Seal the fence using either a clear or tinted exterior wood sealant, following the manufacturer's instructions for proper application practices.

How to Build a Wood and Wire Gate

There are seemingly endless ways to build a gate for a fence. If you are planning to make your own rather than purchase a prefabricated gate, here is one of the quickest and easiest ways to build a beautiful gate that will last for years of use.

1. Measure Gate Opening
   

   Measure the opening for your gate then subtract two inches from the width. This will be width of your gate while the height will be determined by the height between your top and bottom horizontal rails. So, for our 4-foot fence, our gate will be 4 feet tall.

   Cut 2x4 pressure treated boards into two 4-foot long vertical pieces and two horizontal pieces matching your predetermined width.

2. Build Gate Frame
   

   There's no fancy joinery required to build this gate frame. Simply place the two vertical pieces side-by-side on your work surface and space them according to your gate's width. You can use the horizontal pieces as guides.

   Cut a piece of your rolled fence material to your gate's width minus 2 inches. Place the material on the vertical boards and staple it in place.

   Place the horizontal boards on top of the vertical pieces, adjust until the corners perfectly align, and screw them into place using 2-1/2-inch exterior wood screws.

3. Add Cross Brace
   

   A classic diagonal cross brace will add plenty of structure and support to your gate as well as an aesthetically pleasing touch, and, while this may seem complicated, it's actually very simple.

   Simply lay a board on top of the gate frame from the top corner to the opposing bottom corner, then use a pencil to mark your cut lines. Cut the board to size, slide it in, and screw it in place.

4. Mount the Gate
   

   To make the mounting process easy, place it on scrap wood to hold it in place height-wise, then shim the top to hold it in place side-to-side. Mount your gate hardware according to the manufacturer's instructions, then remove your shims.

5. Seal the Gate
   

   Seal the gate just as you did the fence.

How to Maintain a Wood and Wire Fence

The most important thing you can do to ensure your wood fence lasts for years to come is to regularly seal the wood. Sun and rain do a number on wood fences and unsealed wood will quickly deteriorate and fail.