Which criterion is essential to prevent a dog from escaping underneath a fenced dog run?

• A. Height that the dog cannot jump over.
• B. Secured at the bottom to prevent escape underneath.
• C. Tall enough to keep other dogs and animals from getting in.
• D. Easy to clean and maintain.

Answer: (B)

Securing the bottom of the fence is essential to stop a dog from escaping underneath. If there are gaps at ground level, a determined digger or a dog sliding out can slip through even a tall, sturdy fence. By burying the lower edge, adding a ground skirt or apron, or using hardware cloth along the base, you create a continuous barrier that prevents escape at the most common weak point—the ground line. Height alone helps if the dog tries to jump over, but it doesn’t address tunneling or pulling out from the base. Preventing entry of other animals is about intruders, not your dog’s ability to escape. Easy-to-clean maintenance is useful, but it doesn’t impact containment. So the bottom being secured is what truly keeps the dog contained.