Is there a cheap way to put temporary fencing across a driveway and deck?

I've solved the asphalt issue before by using 5-gallon buckets filled with concrete to act as weighted bases for fence posts. You just set a pressure-treated 4x4 or a metal T-post in the middle of each bucket, pour in some Quickrete, and let it set. These are heavy enugh that a dog won't knock them over, and you can just drag them into position along the driveway without ever touching a drill or a shovel. It’s a reliable work-around for rental properties where you can’t break ground.

For the deck section, skip those expensive kits and just get a few rolls of black plastic garden fencing or **welded wire mesh**. You can zip-tie the mesh directly to the deck spindles or the railing. It’s cheap, completley removable, and doesn't leave any permanent marks. When you hit that height gap between the deck and the lawn, just overlap the fencing material and secure it to one of your bucket posts right at the transition point to close the gap. The easiest way to make a gate in a temporary setup like this is to leave one section of the wire fencing unattached on one side. Use **carabiners** or heavy-duty bungee cords to clip the loose end to the post. It acts like a swinging flap you can walk trough but stays secure when the dog is out there. It’s a lot less hassle than trying to frame out a real wooden gate on top of a driveway. If the bucket method feels like too much lifting, you might want to look into a wireless electric fence. They make versions now that don't require burying any wire; you just plug the transmitter in the house and it creates a circular boundary. But if your dog is a high-drive sprinter, a physical barrier like the mesh and buckets is usually a safer bet. You could also check if your landlord is willing to pay for materials for a permanent fence if you handle the labor, since it adds actual value to the property.

Those concrete buckets sound like they'd stay put, but I’m worried about them being a total pain to move if I have to rearrange where I park. Do you think those heavy sandbags for canopy tents whould be heavy enugh to hold a post? Or maybe filling the buckets with gravel instead of concrete so I can empty them when I eventually move out? Also, does the dog ever try to push under the wire on the grass? My pup is a bit of a digger, so I’m wondering if I shoud use those little garden stakes to pin the bottom of the mesh down.

If you go the gravel route, it’ll definitely be easier to haul when your lease is up, but a big dog might still shift those buckets if they hit the fence hard. To stop them from squeezing under the wire on the grass, get a pack of long metal garden staples and pin the mesh down every foot or so.

On the asphalt, you can zip-tie a pressure-treated 2x4 to the bottom of the wire between your posts. It acts as a heavy footer so they can’t nose thier way under, and it adds enought weight that sandbags might actually work for you instead of heavy concrete buckets.

Have you looked at those heavy plastic whiskey barrel planters? I did this at my last place. Instead of concrete, I filled them with dirt and grew some tall ornamental grass. It looks way less sketchy than buckets and those things are impossible to move once they're full of wet soil. You can just screw eye bolts right into the plastic to clip your fencing to. It’s a bit more aesthetic for the driveway, and landlords usally won't complain about potted plants. Just make sure you get the ones with a flat bottom so they don't tip on the asphalt.

If you're worried about the height gap at the deck edge, grab some adjustable bungee balls. You can loop them trough the mesh and around the deck corner post to keep that transition tight without drilling. It helps bridge the difference between the wood and the grass perfectly.

For the asphalt, if you want to skip buckets, look at heavy-duty rubber base weights like the ones used for traffic signs. They have way more friction than plastic buckets and won't slide around if the dog bumps the fence. Just make sure the mesh is pulled taut between your weights; a saggy fence is way easier for a dog to bowl over or crawl under.