Decorative panels definitely look better, but you're right—dogs can be sneaky. Our terrier managed to wiggle through ours too, so we ended up adding some discreet wire mesh behind the panels. It's barely noticeable and keeps her from squeezing through. Might just be dogs being dogs though...they always seem to find the one weak spot you missed.
Haha, dogs truly have a talent for spotting vulnerabilities—mine could probably escape Alcatraz! We ended up using vintage wrought iron fencing with chicken wire discreetly tucked behind. Not exactly period-authentic, but hey...historical accuracy vs. terrier ingenuity? Terrier wins every time.
Have you noticed if the chicken wire rusts quickly behind the wrought iron? I'm thinking of something similar, but worried about durability...also, does it blend in well enough not to look too obvious?
"Have you noticed if the chicken wire rusts quickly behind the wrought iron?"
Mine rusted pretty fast, but honestly, it kinda blends in better once it gets a bit weathered. Gives it that rustic charm...or at least that's what I tell myself. Have you considered coated wire instead?
Mine rusted pretty quickly too, but honestly, I didn't mind it much. It kinda softened the look of the wrought iron and made it feel like it'd always been there. Reminds me of when we first moved into our place—put up some chicken wire as a quick fix to keep our pup from trampling the veggie patch. Within a season, it was rusty and blended right in with the old fence posts. Funny thing is, visitors started complimenting us on our "vintage garden aesthetic," haha.
"Have you considered coated wire instead?"
Coated wire is definitely a good call if you're worried about longevity or appearance. We eventually switched to a coated version for another project, and it's held up really well so far—no rust at all after two rainy seasons. Plus, it's easier on your hands when you're installing it (no more tiny scratches everywhere). Either way, sounds like you've got a solid plan to keep your dog out of trouble...and your plants safe!