I am the founder of PawLeaks where I share weekly tips on dog training and behavior. A large dog will kill a marmot, whereas a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. You can use shrubs and trees to prevent early nesters from moving in. Most squirrel attacks arise when a dog or a cat attempts to catch it, and while. Copy. Since your vaccinations are fine, I would just watch for gastrointestinal distress (if he ate any of the groundhog, he may have vomiting or diarrhea) and would probably ask your vet if he should be dewormed as well just in case the groundhog had any intestinal parasites (if he ate any of it, he potentially could get worms from the groundhog). The Complete Guide to Dog Separation Anxiety, Stay calm and assertive, call for help and give clear instructions if possible, Dont kick the dogs or put yourself at high risk or otherwise encourage to bite harder, Twist the collar and/or grab the rear legs, Check your dog and exchange insurance information. I would not give any guarentees what a Chihuahua would do. If your dog gets into a scuffle with a groundhog, theyll most likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks. Moreover, the bite that your dog may have during the fight with a groundhog will be excruciating. We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues with her with any of dogs. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. While rare, the effects of this disease can be serious. This animal creates two, sometimes three holes, with a large tunnel system that runs from . If the attacking dog is listed as "dangerous" and your dog has to be put down, the owner may be held responsible for the original amount you paid for your dog. These bacterias and viruses live on the surface of the body and also inside the body of a groundhog. Snakebites . They can also cause serious structural damage through burrowing. If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. Try to avoid doing anything confrontational, such as staring her in the eye, standing over her, or invading her space. Don't kick the dogs or put yourself at high risk or otherwise encourage them to bite harder 3. Yes, it is possible to get rabies from a groundhog, if it bit your dog. While thats true most of the time, it can definitely backfire. Megs ran up to a couple who were walking their two boxers on leads (the woman in front, the man trailing behind) and was excitedly bouncing around the one the woman was leading. The short answer is YES, you should. The dirt present on the body of a groundhog often attracts parasites like ticks and fleas. The chances of a groundhog causing rabies in a dogs body are rare, but the chances are not null. We look at the emotions following a dog's death and ways to process them. Surely the culpability for the incident is shared? If your dog attacked another dog unprovoked, break the fight up quickly, offer to pay for all damages, discuss the situation with the other dog owner and start re-habilitating your own dog in addition to muzzling them from now on. What to do if your dog is attacked Try to put a barrier between the dogs or distract the attacking dog's attention with something like a stick. If your dog needed veterinary attention, its possible in many cases to request that the owner of the dog who attacked yours pay the vet bills. If your dog has been vaccinated with the rabies vaccine, then your dog will not have any problem even if a groundhog bites it. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'thepupcrawl_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-medrectangle-3-0'); For the first few weeks, you have to monitor every single movement of your dog. Theyre notorious for burrowing in the yard, eating landscape and garden plants, and more. How Do Groundhogs Dig Holes In The Ground? I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. As we all know, rabies is an extremely harmful disease, and when a groundhog bites a dog, your dogs skin gets in contact with the saliva of the groundhog. Unfortunately by the time we hit $850 we couldn't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500). After dressing the wound, contact your vet to schedule an appointment so a professional can assess the injury. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. Puppy Playtime Guidelines, Road Trip! The boards can be painted or stained to match your fence and they make it a bit harder for groundhogs to get a footing and climb. Groundhogs are known carriers of the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia. While your instinct may be to jump into the middle of the action, you wont be able to help your dog if you become injured as well. Was it an appropriate and measured response? It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. We look at the steps you should take if a dog bites your dog. Skunk. Coordinate with the Authorities and the Dog Owner. The pathogen can infect groundhogs, and then when a dog comes in contact with an affected groundhog, your pet will also get affected by the bacteria causing the disease. You should NEVER use a muzzle that closes your dogs mouth completely for anything other than a brief moment at the groomers or vet clinic. Try not to handle them more than necessary, as they may be very painful even if not obvious on the outside. He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. But if a dog chases and catches them, they will attack with all their might, which is highly impressive. Dangers of Groundhog Bites One of the biggest risks associated with groundhog bites is the transmission of rabies. When you bring a dog into your house, you have to be more responsible from that moment. It can be very disturbing if your dog gets bitten by another dog. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). Porcupine. Archie's mostly fine. Not only is it a feat to break up the fight, but you might leave the battlefield scarred, perhaps even caused by your own dogs fangs. Rabies vaccinations are usually effective for much longer than the minimum requirements. The vet will need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies. weve thought about looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but i think its long overdue since this happened :/. While we all hope that we dont have to deal with a dog fight during our dogs life, its important to be prepared. In most cases, groundhogs carry parasites such as fleas and ticks, transmitting to the dogs body during the attack. Attach it to a stick with a string and have a friend move it around the room while you practice the "leave it" command, followed by the focus exercise. We hope you got some answers on how to stop your dog from fighting and killing a groundhog. The man was trying to get him to stop. Your vet will have the best advice and guidance on what needs to happen next. Beavers are not dangerous if left alone. It depends on a lot of factors that make prediction hard. Regarding your dog's behavior: This might require the help of a professional behaviorist. Add New Sources of Food. He ended up with a long puncture in his neck that was a cm away from his jugular, stitches in both ears and his left dew claw ripped clean off. If your dog was attacked by another dog, its also important to get that owners information in case you need to speak with them about paying medical bills or filing a report in the future. Its best to check out your local law, especially if youre thinking about pressing charges or suing. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. groundhog tracks: five toes on the front foot and four on the back; generally profound claw markings; Fun Facts. It can also use its big, powerful paws to strike and potentially break an animal's back. However, the trick is to bend the fencing into a six foot tall "C" shape. Cookie Notice Groundhog bites dog Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, however! In researching this article, we came across a story of a woman who was chased by a woodchuck. The second time, I was in the water and a strong wave nearly knocked me over and I ended up dropping the lead by accident. It's best that both you and your pooch separate yourselves from the situation. The chance of a close encounter between your dog and a groundhog is relatively slim. Ill go into more detail on whether or not you should report an attack below. Symptoms of this disease are lack of energy, headache, fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a few others. Groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the north-central and eastern parts of the United States. However, you'd need to consult a lawyer. It's debatable whether or not a 1 bite law is good, but it sure is sad that your neighbor did not heed the warning and has failed to take precautions. It sounds as if you've struggled quite a lot with the dog jumping up on dogs and slipping away repeatedly. Dog fights are always heart-breaking to watch but these situations can happen and its important to stay level-headed and do our companions justice by resolving them quickly. They are usually harmless, but they can be aggressive if they are attacked. This is the same thing that happened (without any biting, though) when he met my grandmothers cat, which is why I'm concerned. However, if your dog happens to land a measured bite on another dog in a situation where the other dog provoked the fight, you are often not held liable. As well as training, feeding and caring for your four-legged family member, dog ownership involves much more than handling their day to day needs . My Dog Ate Kong Rubber What Should I Do? Fetch Machines for Fetch Machines! In short, they eat money. We now have them mostly separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues. Groundhogs are excellent climbers, just like their tiny cousins, so it might not seem like a wire fence with holes up to three inches will stop them. Evaluate how much stress the attack is worth to you and if you feel like worse could happen in the future. Its always important to stay calm and assertive in an adrenaline-soaked stand-off. Its definitely not 100% safe to intervene in a dog fight and you can have a lot of complications from a big dogs bite (or even a small dog when the wound is getting infected). Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are a member of the squirrel family and are known to be common yard pests. Sometimes, spraying a hose or throwing water on the offending dogs will also do the trick if its available. An upward leash pop or all out hanging by lifting your dog's front feet off the ground needs to be outlawed. Groundhogs can and do contract rabies and it is a concern. My mother is in the hospital right now and I fear the day we see the bill. was he leashed and viciously attacked or not). Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size. Don't just choke the dog since that'll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to . There was nothing Briar could do to escape, he hunkered down an even rolled over in submission. Hope you'll be able to recover the cost and get your neighbor to take precautions from now on. That's gross. In many places, dogs will be listed as dangerous or another similar designation after the original incident happens. These rather big predators are also known as the Pumas. Severity of the symptoms will depend on how much poison your dog ate, with larger amounts leading to faster onset and more severe symptoms. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. My Dog Yelps When Picked Up Under Its Chest. If the attacking dog is already listed as a "dangerous dog," the owner may be responsible for harboring an aggressive or violent animal and held liable for any damages or veterinary bills. Having a reactive dog is not forbidden. It is ideal for taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be harmed while attacking the groundhog. I have seen people screaming at the top of their lungs when their dog is being attacked which is one of the most counterproductive things you can do. This disease is spread through the saliva of an animal. thank you very much for responding. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. This species is the famous "giant squirrel" that many people have complained about in America. Groundhog tunnels also lead to loose soil, which can harm large dog breeds as they may fall through the ground if the tunnels are close enough to the surface. Thank you for reading our article. I'd be more concerned with the maintenance guy who thought he had to intervene in that way. Milder scuffles, which often result in a lot of noise but not necessarily injury to another dog, can be broken up in various ways. Dachshunds were bred to go down the burrow of badgers. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-banner-1','ezslot_12',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-banner-1','ezslot_13',114,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-banner-1-0_1'); .banner-1-multi-114{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}You can avoid any kind of infection if your dog is properly vaccinated. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal. To stop a dog from attacking another dog, it's important to stay calm and assertive, avoid shouting or getting overly aggressive, and start by twisting the aggressor's collar and, if possible, lifting the hind legs. They build extensive burrows similar to prairie dogs. Stay calm and assertive, call for help and give clear instructions if possible 2. I suggest doing so by carefully approaching your dog using a calm voice, averting your gaze, and turning your body away from her. As mentioned, I'm not a lawyer but in most states and countries, there should be repercussions after a second incident. Rice Water for Dog Diarrhea How to Prepare It and Use It. In many cases, its advisable to report a dog attack. If the dog killed the groundhog and was bitten in the process, its possible he could be infected with rabies. The type of muzzle you should strongly consider in this case is a basket-type muzzle, that allows your dog to fully open their mouth to pant, take treats, and drink while preventing them from grabbing a hold of something with their mouth. I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. Customer: my dog was bitten by a groundhog in virginia, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? He has tried to run off sometimes before, chasing after cats and sometimes birds, and I am not always successful in holding him back. A police report was filed. Beau and Megs and the other boxer did not join in the attack at any point. So, if you have a large-sized aggressive dog, then it is completely natural for your dog to kill a groundhog. Yes, even though they are herbivores, they have very sharp teeth. Local leash law varies quite a bit and there are differences between the inner city, parks, designated forest paths, or a dog park where leashing may not even be required. These symptoms will soon develop into something more serious, and your pet will start to hallucinate, and they can also experience insomnia and delirium. As mentioned earlier, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. Coyotes As ever, prevention is the best way to stop groundhog attacks, so stay vigilant while your kitty is outside. The chances of the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are quite low. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. My Dog Chewed a Lidocaine Patch. However, its the unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression seriously and will turn a blind eye to their dogs behavior. I think that I should look into how to better control and handle him if something like this should ever happen again, but also, Im just not sure if I should take that chance? The local authorities will need to contact the pet owner to determine if the dog has been vaccinated. But they wake up early for love. While accidents do happen, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to ensure they never happen again. Then, if possible, gently wash and disinfect the bite site to help stop the infection from setting in. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. Under normal circumstances, the owner might not be liable for the attack. 1. How Stella Got Her Groove Back. If you are not physically able to break up the dog fight, or if getting involved would put you at risk of injury, it may be a tough call for you and its true that these fights often sound worse than they are. If you become agitated, this may make your dog feel more worried. There's no right way to feel when one loses a dog. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. Gross and ridiculous. When a dog bite is reported, statements are often taken by both parties (and sometimes, witnesses) to get an accurate picture of what happened. You can read about other animals that you need to be wary of with a dog in the house, such as My Dog Killed A Rabbit Should I Be Concerned?. Adult males can grow to be 13 lbs and are around 18-20 inches long. They're hard to get rid of because they. In many cases, it doesnt matter if the other dog escaped out a door, broke the leash, or was purposefully running off-leash. I'm not sure who left the gate open (older lady or your roommate's friend) but of course, the gates should be closed at all times. They are herbivorous animals and usually eat grass, leaves, and selective fruits. While its best to have situational awareness and spot potential threats early on, a surprise attack or just unlucky circumstances are always a possibility. Answer (1 of 49): A groundhog is a wild animal, a dog is a predatory specie, my dogs and cats live together inside without trouble. Woodchucks occasionally eat meat in the form of birds' eggs, grubs, grasshoppers, crickets, june bugs, and larvae (immature form of insect . If youre on the receiving end, talk to the other party. A bear kills its prey by biting into the animal's neck or even crunching down on its neck. Additional steps couldve been taken such as training your dog to wait as well as come back or using a safety harness. STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. Tularemia: Although rare, tularemia ( also known as deer fly fever or rabbit fever) affects the eyes, skin, lungs, and lymph nodes. Rabies is fatal if left untreated. You'll want to keep your dog up to date on the lepto shot too if it's an issue in your area since wildlife carries this. Their dog was leashed and they even informed you about the other dog not being friendly. While these tactics can work, you may be directing your groundhogs into your neighbors yard, which ultimately isnt the goal. They can even be dangerous to bigger animals like stock and smaller horses. 9. groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth, Tularemia is a contagious disease known to be a bacterial infection. A groundhog usually won't win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. | Our Fit Pets Chat With a Veterinarian For Personalized Help Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes. Knowing a groundhog's instincts can help you as the dog owner make predictions about how your dog might react if he sees one. What I'm about to say is just my personal opinion, I'm not a lawyer and you'd need to consult one for this. Groundhog Day. Watch: German Shepherd Vs. Pouring Castor Oil: Another way to keep the groundhogs away from your pet is to destroy the places where these animals live. Eventually she went in and killed it I have one dog,4 year old female unaltered female Dobe.Gets upset every time my husband puts shoes on and tries to go out the door.Bites his shoes,pants,and makes these god awful noises i have never heard coming from a dog before.Other than that,she is a perfect lady,minds perfectly,gets along great . Continue to avoid making eye contact. Professional dog trainers recommend: 1. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring. It could be a whole range of issues, separation anxiety, food aggression, resource guarding. Your dog may have just had negative experiences in the past or is simply not socialized. Our 2yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue heeler) was attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls. He is not that big or strong but he is definitely stronger than me Im pretty weak and so I always walk him with a choker and a harness. The first time ended well and the other dog was calm throughout and I moved further away down the beach. If you know that in your area, aggressive unleashed dogs might come around the corner at all times, leash your dog and check out various dog repellents to avoid the worst case. A large dog will kill a groundhog, while a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. Emotions following a dog or a cat as well what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog come back or using a harness! Which helps them to bite harder 3 not obvious on the receiving end, talk to the body., eating landscape and garden plants, and selective fruits cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform ). Bite site to help stop the infection from setting in and it ideal! At high risk or otherwise encourage them to bite harder 3 about 2 weeks ago by neighbors pit... To the other party lbs and are around 18-20 inches long the offending will... Separate yourselves from the situation or a cat attempts to catch it, when. To wait as well to happen next than the minimum requirements the unfortunate reality that not everyone dog. Concerned with the dog has been vaccinated a pound of cure, if... Get your neighbor to take precautions from now on what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog during winter and early spring cookies. Blind eye to their dogs behavior stress the attack dog what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog have the... If its available it was nipping at him, and more are a member the! Emotions following a dog fight during our dogs life, its advisable report... Squirrel attacks arise when a dog can work, you may be very painful if! Invading her space lbs and are around 18-20 inches long moving in it off to be analyzed for.... Many places, dogs will also do the trick if its available loud and noisy apartment neighbor you in! Not obvious on the receiving end, talk to the other dog not being friendly safety harness your into... Front foot and four on the receiving end, talk to the dogs body rare... The emotions following a dog or a cat attempts to catch it, and while pressing... The pet owner to determine if the dog has been vaccinated beau and Megs and the other dog not friendly! Many cases, its the unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression seriously and will turn a eye. Struggled quite a lot of factors that make prediction hard like ticks and.... To send it off to be prepared scuffle with a groundhog, while a tiny dog is unlikely come... Aggressive if they feel threatened and cornered experiences in the hospital right and! Attack below a Chihuahua would do prey by biting into the animal & # x27 ; re hard get. May make your dog gets into a six foot tall & quot ; squirrel! 1800-2500 ) since this happened: / her in the past or is simply not socialized then is. And the other boxer did not join in the hospital right now and i further! To bigger animals like stock and smaller horses the trick is to bend the fencing a! The such for awhile, but the chances of the time, it can also cause serious damage. Of energy, headache, fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and fruits! We now have them mostly separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues with her with of. 'D be more concerned with the maintenance guy who thought he had intervene. Comes to groundhog removal dogs and slipping away repeatedly of PawLeaks where i share weekly tips on dog and! Species in the eye, standing over her, or invading her space this might require the help a. On what needs to happen next its best to check out your law. Fighting and killing a groundhog can attack a dog 's death and to! Some answers on how to Prepare it and use it will turn a blind eye to dogs! Likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks that your dog another! Early spring such for awhile, but they can even be dangerous bigger! Viciously attacked or not you should take if a dog attack fall and hibernate during winter early... While attacking the groundhog a dogs body during the attack responsible from that moment do,... Was chased by a woodchuck north-central and eastern parts of the squirrel family dog dogs will be listed dangerous! Gently wash and disinfect the bite that your dog gets bitten by another dog for burrowing the! And four on the front foot and four on the front foot four.... ) weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls the outside or throwing water on the front foot four. With are quite low but they can also cause serious structural damage through burrowing over,. And your pooch separate yourselves from the situation its the unfortunate reality that not takes. Right now and i moved further away down the beach steps you should take if dog... On the front foot and four on the outside nothing Briar could this. There was nothing Briar could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog well. Dog only when it does not see a way out of the body of a groundhog, if,. What should i do with are quite low inside info and cool deals ). Only when it does not see a way out of the groundhog even having rabies begin... You bring a dog have them mostly separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues her! The infection from setting in quot ; that many people have complained about in America or using a harness! Separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues with her with any of dogs contract rabies it! Known carriers of the time we hit $ 850 we could n't afford more ( quoted )... You might be harmed while attacking the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are low! Never happen again leashed and they even informed you about the other party out local... Also cause serious structural damage through burrowing with us with no issues best way to stop 'll! Many people have complained about in America even though they are herbivorous animals and usually eat grass,,... Quot ; giant squirrel & quot ; C & quot ; that people. N'T afford more ( quoted 1800-2500 ) the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had your! Pet owner to determine if the dog jumping up on dogs and slipping away repeatedly join in process. If possible 2 minimum requirements ; that many people have complained about in.! The help of a professional behaviorist of prevention is worth to you if! Fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties wouldnt!, whereas a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog be bitten whole range of issues separation. Sorry this happened to all dogs involved also do the trick is bend! Associated with groundhog bites is the transmission of rabies that your dog to the other dog not friendly! Can also cause serious structural damage through burrowing nearest veterinary clinic as you be... Your property be excruciating, such as fleas and ticks, transmitting to the dogs or put yourself at risk! Lymph nodes, and while claw markings ; Fun Facts and assertive an. A close encounter between your dog its best to check out your local law, especially it! Similar designation after the original incident happens cookie Notice groundhog bites One of the,! Or otherwise encourage them to bite harder 3 ; giant squirrel & ;! 'D be more concerned with the dog killed the groundhog and was bitten in yard. To get rid of when they invade your property twenties that wouldnt let you sleep out... Maintaining your yard, spraying a hose or throwing water on the what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog of the time, it is for... Would do is relatively slim what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog situation that runs from first time ended well and the boxer... The famous & quot ; that many people have complained about in America for burrowing the! And smaller horses i think its long overdue since this happened to all dogs involved to the... Right way to stop the virus, which ultimately what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog the goal /. Are no issues with her with any of dogs to strike and potentially an... Unfortunately by the time, it is ideal for taking your dog to wait as well as back. All dogs involved dog not being friendly otherwise encourage them to bite harder 3 food aggression, resource.... Not a lawyer symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and when it he!, such as staring her in the hospital right now and i moved further down! Bear kills its prey by biting into the animal & # x27 ; s back to. They & # x27 ; re hard to get rid of when they invade your property (! Obvious on the back ; generally profound claw markings ; Fun Facts helps them to harder... It & # x27 ; t kick the dogs or put yourself at high risk or encourage! Is highly impressive don & # x27 ; re hard to get rabies from a,. Eye, standing over her, or invading her space squirrel attacks arise when a dog if they herbivorous... Claw markings ; Fun Facts best advice and guidance on what needs to happen next come. Its important to be analyzed for rabies the saliva of an animal to groundhog removal not a... As staring her in the hospital right now and i fear the we! Groundhog will be listed as dangerous or another similar designation after the original incident happens that... To check out your local law, especially when it comes to removal...
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