The fence is arriving!

[Tink]

We took delivery of our fence posts last night so now can get started digging them in. It seems unreal that we've finally reached this point. We ended up buying 8 foot long 3" x 5" treated posts so hopefully they'll out last us. If we're going to do it we might as well do it to last, right?

The corner posts will be cemented in and braced to withstand the temperature changes our area is so well known for. When the summers can bring 100+ degree days and winters -30 with -100 windchill, you have to be prepared for both and the ground heaving it can bring.

According to the woman moving out next door, they're going to either sell or rent out the place, so hopefully this will prevent the same problem with any future occupants.

When the Amish neighbors came by last night, they brought with them a map drawn out by their surveyor several yrs ago... a different one than we'd hired... in which the exact same lines ours found were determined. The map included their property, ours, and 2 more on the other side of us, showing the areas where the lines were "off". It's amazing how accurate they were!

[Marilyn]

Tink, so glad you are able to get this done and with no real problems from your neighbors. One thing on your fence if you can do it. We put a concrete curb under our fence so the dogs cannot dig out. It is absolutely wonderful!!!!! Something our breeder has done since she has so many dogs is rather than the concrete curb, she has wire mesh in the ground that extends up her fence to prevent the dogs digging out. Just some thoughts.

[Taurus Babe]

Good news about the fence! I bet you will be so relived to have it in the ground finally!

[Tink]

It was SO hot and humid today that we put off digging in most of our posts. It would be great to have it done, but not to have a heat stroke in the process!

We got posts cemented in on the one side where the problem neighbors are, at the markers left by the surveyor. We didn't want to take any chances on their being removed.

Marilyn, One of the Labs is a real digger, so we're going to have to be very careful to prevent her from being able to get out. In Wisconsin any shallow piece of concrete will shatter from our temperature extremes, so that doesn't work here. We used to own horses so have a battery operated electric fence transformer. Right now we're leaning toward running a live wire along the top and bottom of the fence. Most horses or dogs will learn after one or two run ins with it to avoid the fence altogether. With female dogs, we won't only have ours trying to dig or climb out, but possibly others trying to get in! So we need something that will deter from both sides, which electricity would do.

Those who have never touched an electric fence probably think it's a lot harsher than it truly is. It's undoubtedly unpleasant, but doesn't do any lasting damage and will keep the animals safe even once you turn it off because they learn not to mess with it. I've touched one a couple of times and so have my kids. The beauty of this kind of training is that you can put a similar fence up by flower beds, gardens, etc without an electric wire and they'll avoid those as well.

[Janet]

I guess I missed what kind of fence you're putting up...since you're using wooden posts..is it a privacy fence?

We are putting up a shorter privacy fence for the Yorkies. What I'm planning to do is put landscaping logs on either the inside or the outside bottom of the fence. Mine are not diggers, but don't want anything else digging in.

[AngieDoogles]

Good luck with your new fence Tink! I agree that you should wait until the temperature is more suitable. It's not worth risking your health over. I bet your life will be so different when you get your fence up and finished!! :)

[Tink]

Janet, we're going with brown treated wood posts and wire mesh that has 2" x4" rectangles and then putting brown treated boards on like a rail fence. We've seen this done and you hardly notice the mesh... but it keeps the critters in while letting you have an informal country look that fits our style. We might have to buy the boards over time as they're not cheap, but it keeps the mesh nice and tight while looking nice, so will be worth it in the long run. Not having to ever paint or stain it has a lot of appeal too. Our posts and mesh will be 5 feet tall. I plan to put decorative wooden birdhouses on top of the posts to give the fence a finished look.

We'll also be adding a strand of electric wire at the top and bottom of the fence to teach the dogs not to touch the mesh. With up to 90 lb dogs bouncing on it or digging under it, they can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time if they don't learn right away to leave it alone. This should also discourage any strays from trying to get IN with our dogs.

[Marilyn]

Tink, the electric wire will work, also. We've used it in the past when we lived in the country with a fence similiar to the one you are describing. The only problem we had was one hot dry summer, a blade of grass got against the wire and started a grass fire. It was big enough that hubby got a call that our house was on fire (it wasn't, only the grass) and rushed home. The city fire department responded and put it out, so we got a nice bill from them. It was a mess, so we got rid of the hot wire. It was cattle strength and did not hurt the dogs. They only had to hit it once to learn. We had cocker spaniels back then. With bigger dogs, you can probably put the wire high enough and you probably mow enough to not have the problem that we did. We had 3 acres with several trees and sometimes it got a little high in the back before we got it all mowed. That was back before weedeaters, also. We were young and doing our best.

[DianaB]

Tink, I'm glad to hear that you've started on your fence. I know that you'll be relieved when that project is done.