Chewing, digging, jumping
How do I stop my dog jumping the garden fence?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
A dog that can clear the existing fence needs height added immediately, since this is a genuine safety risk involving traffic and getting lost, not just a training inconvenience. Add at least 30 cm of extra height where possible, and address the specific motivation pulling your dog over at the same time.
Increase the height first
Extending the fence by 30 cm or more, using mesh panels or trellis attached to the existing structure, is the fastest way to remove the physical option while you work on the underlying cause, and it should be treated as an immediate priority rather than a later project.
Identify what is pulling your dog over
A dog jumping the fence is usually motivated by something specific on the other side, another dog, a person, wildlife, or is trying to escape a source of stress in the garden itself, like fireworks or loud machinery nearby.
Supervise until the fence is fixed
Until the height increase is complete, treat unsupervised garden time as a genuine risk and stay outside with your dog, since a successful jump once makes a repeat attempt significantly more likely.
Key takeaways
- Fence jumping is a genuine safety issue and needs an immediate height increase, not just training.
- The behavior is usually motivated by something specific on the other side or stress in the garden.
- Supervise all outside time until the fence is properly raised, since a successful jump often repeats.