If you own a canine, it is important to consider buying a fence for your backyard that will provide the safest, easiest, and most accommodating option for your home. Before investing in a fence for this purpose, it’s important to know how certain factors can affect the safety of you, your dog, and your neighbors.

You have several materials to choose from when determining which fence is best for your furry friend. Chain link fences and aluminum fences are not a good option for those dogs that tend to dig or climb, as sharp edges can become exposed and get caught on the dog’s skin or fur. This has the potential to cause injury and should be avoided. You also do not want to invest in a fencing option that can be easily chewed or scratched. Some wooden fences are easier for larger dogs to chew or scratch, thus ruining your purchase. A thick, durable wood or plastic material would be a better option. For these reasons, wood and vinyl fences are the best materials to choose from.

Big dogs require big fences. You want to make sure your fence is high enough to ensure your canine can’t escape over the fence by jumping over it or scaling up it. For this reason, chain link fences are not the best option. Dogs can easily climb these and escape from the safety of your backyard. A reasonable height for a fence keeping in a larger dog or dog that can jump higher would be somewhere between 5 and 6 feet.

Dogs bark. Whether out of boredom or to alert you of intruders or possible danger, it’s hard to keep your pet from sounding the alarm when people and other animals pass by your home. From your neighbors and their pets to squirrels or cars, it’s easy for a dog to become alarmed after seeing something they might consider out of the ordinary. That’s why it’s important to try and reduce these distractions. A solid fence—as opposed to chain link—such as wood or vinyl can reduce barking, since the dog won’t be physically able to see as many things to bark at.