Most homeowners don't need to inform their neighbors before constructing a fence, according to the law, but you will need to make sure that you’re building on the property line or on your side of the property line. Otherwise, the neighbor could complain, which would require you to tear down and reinstall the fence. In any case, keeping them in the loop is the neighborly thing to do!

Whether you inform your neighbors or not, always use property records and a land survey to ensure your fence stays within your property boundaries.

If you’re trying to keep your dog from running away, an electric fence isn’t the only fence type for your yard worth considering. The cost of dog fences can range from $1,500 to $8,000, with popular materials including wood, vinyl, or aluminum to keep your pet safe and sound. 

If you’re trying to keep livestock in their pasture, other fencing options include woven wire, high-tensile wire, and synthetic fencing. These options give your animals boundaries without the use of electricity. 

While they can be closer, the maximum distance between fence posts for residential fences is 8 feet. This ensures the panels are adequately supported by the fence posts. This is usually dictated by the width of the panel, which is typically between 5 and 8 feet. While narrower panels will require more posts, they’ll be lighter and easier to work with than wider panels that are the same height.

You can keep a dog from digging under a fence by filling existing holes in your yard, installing a wire to your fence bottom, burying your fence bottom, making a designated digging spot, and removing visual stimuli. You can also dissuade your dog from wanting to dig under your fence and escape by scheduling more one-on-one playtime and ensuring they are getting enough exercise to keep them stimulated.