Dogs like digging in dirt, don’t see too much of dogs digging in gravel though, perhaps stone around the edge 16”-24” wide perhaps?

 

What about metal roofing sheets cut to fit buried 12 inches or so with some decorative screws? Come in lots of colors/coatings. Will definitely outlive the dog. We usually use chicken wire, but that ain't classy

 

They make wire panels for this. My neighbor had to install them to keep their dog from escaping. I think they used one called Dig Defence.

 

Dogs like digging in dirt, don’t see too much of dogs digging in gravel though, perhaps stone around the edge 16”-24” wide perhaps?

I’ve thought about pitching a rock bed idea, so to speak, around the fence, maybe raised off the ground being contained by timber or metal edging. She has a bed already with white stone along the back porch, which I hate. I suppose having a good border would keep all the rocks in the bed. It would also allow me to fix the existing rock bed as part of a project, as opposed to being slightly aggressive in insisting that bed is properly gone back over with a border. This could be a good winter score for me as she’s ready for me to refresh the front mulch beds and install bordering to keep it in place. She’s spent good money before with me and a friend of mine.

What about metal roofing sheets cut to fit buried 12 inches or so with some decorative screws?
Come in lots of colors/coatings. Will definitely outlive the dog. We usually use chicken wire, but that ain't classy

Super simple and clean idea. Thinking I could just get a flat shovel straight down along the fence and slide them in, finish with screws. Wouldn’t be a couple thousand dollar raised rock bed undertaking and I traditionally try to dissuade clients from rock as it is. Also wouldn’t affect the grass in any way. I could maybe get an up-charge removing the small existing rock bed and replacing with a bed matching the front when I do that. I could take pictures and add this type of dog proofing to my offerings.

They make wire panels for this. My neighbor had to install them to keep their dog from escaping. I think they used one called Dig Defence.

Cool products, I get the impression that these are on lawncare guy’s most hated list? was your neighbor able to get them right flush against the fence for string trimming? I wonder if the post concrete can sometimes present some problems if they sprawl out more than usual. I see ones with a little above ground and some completely flush along the ground. Looks like the installation would be about as straight forward as it gets just hammering them down flush. This also could be a future offering for dog owners.

 

Super simple and clean idea. Thinking I could just get a flat shovel straight down along the fence and slide them in, finish with screws. Wouldn’t be a couple thousand dollar raised rock bed undertaking and I traditionally try to dissuade clients from rock as it is. Also wouldn’t affect the grass in any way. I could maybe get an up-charge removing the small existing rock bed and replacing with a bed matching the front when I do that. I could take pictures and add this type of dog proofing to my offerings.

Come to think of it , the metal panels would at least need to be tall enough to screw into the bottom 2 x4 rail. I wouldn't trust just attaching them to the pickets. Not sure how far off the ground the lowest rail is. If the client likes the rustic look, you could go with like 12'' x 1/8" mild steel flat bar or maybe 3/16". Comes in 20 foot lengths if you have a metal supply there. It will get a nice rust patina over time, but wouldn't rust out for at least 10 or 15 years; in my climate that stuff lasts 30 plus years....Probably getting pretty spendy these days...

 

I had a client that had 6x10 pavers laid end to end at the base of the fence- I really liked that, especially since it was one of the plastic fences.

Could also look at making it inconvenient for the dog and just lay aluminum or steel edging 3/4” back from the fence. Lay it flush and you can trim out or over. Start with a length where they are digging now. If it works, do the run. I had that idea awhile back but we never got to try it out.

 

@Hurryupelectric, I can't speak to how he installed it, exactly. I havent been over to see it from his side. I noticed some of the verticals thru one of the (unfilled) dug out spots, below his fence-a 6' white vinyl. I know he first placed pieces of firewood and rocks where she'd dug, to deter her, but she'd just dig elsewhere then.

If I see them, I will inquire

editing in an afterthought. I believe they have beds the entire perimeter of the lawn, so I doubt he put the effort in to make it all string trimmable. It could likely be done in our soil structure.