Wrought iron fences are beautiful, but they can pose some containment challenges if you have a dog that needs to be kept safely in the yard. Fortunately, there are a few options for addressing this challenge:

1. Install a Threshold

One of the main ways pups get out of a fence is by digging beneath it, and wrought iron is no exception. Fortunately, the design of wrought iron works well with paved thresholds, and paving beneath the fence line will help prevent your dog from digging. You can opt for a simple concrete threshold or you can install decorative pavers or bricks that will complement the classic design of the iron fencing. 

2. Decrease Picket Spacing

Wrought iron fence pickets can be designed with various width spacing between pickets. For the most secure fence, choose a spacing that is close enough so that your dog can't force their head through the pickets. Many dogs can squeeze their body through if their heads fit. If this isn't the case, then your pup may run the danger of getting its head stuck between the pickets.

3. Add "Puppy Pickets"

For small dogs, or if you have a puppy, close spacing of pickets may not be enough to keep them from squeezing their heads through. In this case, ask your fencing contractor about puppy pickets. These can be included in the design of a new fence or installed on an existing wrought iron fence. Puppy pickets are a short row of pickets designed to fit between the existing pickets on a wrought iron fence. They are often made of aluminum and resemble wrought iron so that they can blend into the aesthetic of the main fence.

4. Limit Rail Use

If your pup is a climber, make the fence harder to climb by minimizing horizontal rails and filigree work along the pickets. Instead, opt for a fence design with a low bottom rail and a high upper rail. Skip any curlicues or other designs within the rails that could provide the dog with a horizontal footing surface. Vertical rails are much harder to climb up when there are no footholds. 

5. Consider the Height

Climbers and jumpers can also be discouraged by taller fences. Increase the height of the fence, but don't opt for pointed pickets, though, as these could injure your dog. You can have existing pointed pickets capped so they are flat, or you can install a roll bar above the points. Roll bars will safely drop your pup back in your yard if they try to pull themselves over the fence.

Contact a wrought iron fencing company to learn more about pet-friendly fencing designs.

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