The thing is, if I leave a small gap at the bottom, then I don't really need a fence! haha Its the bunnies that we're trying to keep out. We will also line the bottom with 2' chicken wire fencing, which seems to keep them out of the utility fencing. Actually, we probably only really need a 3' high chicken wire fence, but they seem to make that so cheap now that it rusts in no time. We're really prefer the 12 gauge utility wire, but its hard to find, so we'll use the 14 gauge. We live in the middle of the woods, and couldn't possibly have a garden without a fence. And it would have to be 9' high to keep the deer out, but they usually find enough to eat elsewhere (hopefully!).

This is a long thread I just stumbled upon so I didn't do my due diligence and read through all the comments to see if my recommendation was already suggested so please forgive me if it was. I would plant 'American Pillar' Arborvitae along the entire fence line and give it a couple of years. It's cheap (I found them for $7.50 a pop for an order of 100 plants last year), narrow (3-foot at base when mature), tall (30-foot max), fast (3-foot per year, once established), densely evergreen (no see through branches), cold hardy (to zone 3), disease free and long lived (no known problems with a lifespan of it's ancestors measured in centuries). What more can one ask for? Here is a link that might be useful: American Pillar Arborvitae

You might contact some cat breeders for ideas. They have un-neutered cats so have to keep them confined. Some keep them indoors completely but others build outdoor runs. HTH

LOL at Quirky I really don't think I have a dog, but wouldn't mind if that ends up to be the case. :) This is what I think is going on.... this couple moved from a large farmhouse to a small 2 bedroom and I believe the wife is overwhelmed by 2 kids and this pup in a small place. Plus, I don't think she's as fond of the dog as her husband and kids. And, the one time I was in their house, there were toys and kids stuff everywhere. Well, what's a pup to do? LOL I believe that young man did the right thing by trying to find a temporary place for the dog, but think he jumped the gun by taking her back too soon. He is getting a 12X12 kennel this weekend and my husband is helping him haul it home and set it up with a short fence running from back door to the kennel. This will help with being able to allow the dog to go out without someone having her on a leash because they don't have a fenced in yard. Pretty sure the wife doesn't help when husband is at work during the day. During the time the pup was here, the young man came over at least a dozen times. He's kinda distaught. He said this was his first dog so I don't think he knew what he was in for. But, I am sure of his interest in the dog and hope I can help him get to keep her. She's a great pup. Husband and I discussed it, and we may buy him a crate to keep her in during the night because she sleeps in one here. We're also discussing having her spayed. We really want to help educate the guy, not chastise him for his shortcomings. We definitely will be getting the new puppy next week. I took off the whole summer to devote myself to it and my oldest grandson! :)