Chewing, digging, jumping
How do I stop my dog digging under a gate?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Gates are a common weak point because the ground underneath is disturbed during installation and rarely compacted as firmly as the rest of the fence line. Lay a paving slab or buried mesh strip under the gate specifically, and check it after heavy rain when soil softens further.
Why gates are a weak point
The soil under a gate is often looser than elsewhere because it was disturbed when the gate was installed and gets less foot traffic to compact it back down, making it the easiest place on the whole boundary to dig through.
A targeted fix
A single paving slab or a strip of buried wire mesh set flush under the gate closes the gap without needing to treat the entire fence line, and it is usually a smaller job than expected since only that one section needs attention.
Check it after rain
Heavy rain softens soil further and can wash away small amounts under a gate over time, so a quick check every few weeks, especially after a storm, catches any new gap before your dog finds it first.
Key takeaways
- Soil under a gate is usually looser than the rest of the fence line.
- A single paving slab or mesh strip under the gate is a targeted, low effort fix.
- Recheck after heavy rain, since softened soil can reopen a small gap over time.