Does your dog want to say hi to his pals in the neighborhood? Build your good boy a dog fence window and let him see the world!
Time 1 hour
ComplexityBeginner
CostFree to $40
Introduction
Dogs behind a fence get anxious when they can't see who's walking by. Mine race frantically down the fence line, sniffing the one-inch gap between the fence and the patio and craning their necks trying to see under. It's kind of sad. Also? They bark. Loudly.
Even if your dogs are more chill than mine (and they probably are), they may get bored or anxious when unable to see. Building a small window in your fence can give them a peek out to the world, satisfying their curiosity and (maybe) keeping them from barking at passersby.
It's an easy project that takes about an hour. Depending on what you have stored in your garage, it could be free, too. (Mine was!). I had chicken wire left over from an outdoor catio, and cedar wood trim in my pile of random scraps. Or, you could definitely splurge on a decorative grate or specially-made plastic bubble window.
Tools Required
- Diagonal cutting pliers
- Drill bit - 3/8-in.
- Drill or impact driver
- Hacksaw (optional)
- Handsaw
- Jigsaw
- Level
- Miter saw or miter box (optional)
- Pencil
- Staple gun
- Tape measure
Materials Required
- Chicken wire
- Deck screws - length determined by fence and trim thickness
- Staples
- Wood trim
Project step-by-step (5)
Step 1
Decide placement
- Pick a place for your fence window that offers a good view out, but won’t give neighbors a peek into your bedroom.
- Figure out the proper height. A Chihuahua needs a lower window than a Doberman.
- Decide how big you want the window, and the layout that makes sense for your fence type.
- I have a board on board fence, so I planned to attach the trim on the same layer of the overlapping pickets.
Step 2
Measure and lay out
- Check both sides of the fence to make sure you won’t hit a fence post or rail.
- Draw a square or rectangle on the fence with pencil, using a level as a guide.
- If installing a bubble window or grate, follow the included directions to get the right dimensions.
Step 3
Cut out window
- Drill four 3/8-in. holes in the corners of your window layout. Keep the holes to the inside of your line.
- Insert a jigsaw blade through hole in one corner.
- Follow your line with a jigsaw to cut out the window. Use the holes to reposition the blade as you cut each side.
Step 4
Install chicken wire
- Trim chicken wire to fit the hole with diagonal cutting pliers, leaving two inches of overlap on all sides.
- Place chicken wire over the hole and staple the edges to fence so it’s secure.
Step 5
Add trim
- Cut wood trim to fit the outside of the window, covering the chicken wire overlap. Miter the corners for a more finished look.
- Screw the trim to the fence to hold it in place.
- Make sure screws aren’t sticking out the other side, which could injure dogs or people walking by.
- Trim the ends of protruding screws with a hacksaw, if necessary.
- Paint or stain, if desired.
- Because I used cedar, I left it plain.
