While the muzzle often has a negative connotation, its truly a wonderful tool. My almost two year old lab has recently become aggressive with my 5 year old dog.other than with that dog, she is sweet and submissive. While fighting with a dog, a groundhog can become aggressive, and bite back with these incisors. It is ideal for taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be harmed while attacking the groundhog. She screamed at me to get my other dog away, (I was trying to put Archie on the lead at the time and Beau (my 3 yo) was getting too close. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-box-3','ezslot_1',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-box-3-0');One of our regulars asked us: my dog killed a groundhog should I be worried? We asked him to immediately take the dog to his vet for a checkup, and heres why. Constant vocalization and barking. Having a pet in the house will make your life full of joy and happiness. A groundhog usually won't win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. Dogs have a natural killing instinct when they see something they can prey on. Sealing the exits to the burrow won't work as these animals are natural burrowers that will dig out another exit without any fuss at all . If you know or suspect your dog has eaten groundhog poop and is showing signs of being ill, then it's best to call the vet. Theyre also humane as they dont hurt the groundhogs. Ill go into more detail if your dog was just defending himself below. If your dog is small, place them in a wash basket or box lined with a blanket or towel. These rodents carry diseases, and the diseases are mentioned below. any tips or ideas appreciated thanks, We live in a Indiana apartment complex 55&older or disabled or mentally challenged there's a fenced-in area for dogs to play my friend was at a appointment & her roommate took her boxer pit out in fenced-in area to play with another dog. This species is the famous "giant squirrel" that many people have complained about in America. It can be a bite, and there are also several other means by which this disease can spread. I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. Face the dog and command, "back away." If the dog continues to behave aggressively, and ignoring or pacifying him is no longer working, face him and sternly command him to leave. This question typically depends on your dogs temperament. Groundhog tunnels can often be 6 feet long and have dozens of exits. Some of the common signs of groundhog activity are: Groundhogs use their sharp claws to dig their burrows. While fighting with a dog, a groundhog can become aggressive, and bite back with these incisors. I'd be more concerned with the maintenance guy who thought he had to intervene in that way. 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. Is there evidence? Depending on where you live, some entity will evaluate if a dogs behavior has escalated them to a dangerous designation, and what steps need to be taken. 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. In short, woodchucks are considered a nuisance. Or perhaps spayed/neutered? The 2 dogs dug into our yard into our dog kennel ( chain link on thier side with privacy fence and decking boards across the bottom, on ourside)outside. Hi there. Otherwise, youll be trapping them in your backyard. This occurs in many cases where an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog is being bad. Read on to find out. Initially they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly. Signs that your dog is having a panic attack can vary widely, but some of the most common symptoms are: Avoidance of or attempts to escape a situation. 5. Its extremely important to remember your own personal safety during a dog fight as well. 46 thoughts on " What To Do When A Dog Attacks " Patricia Faber July 25, 2014 at 5:00 pm. They weigh around 13 pounds (6 kilograms), which is about twice . I'm not a lawyer, but it might be worth contacting a lawyer for this and press charges. While fighting with the groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs body. 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 have a backyard and rodents like groundhogs move in and around it, then there is a high chance that your dog can attack it, and this can also happen when you take your dog out for a walk. Groundhogs can climb and dig, making them a double threat. This disease is spread through the saliva of an animal. Surely the culpability for the incident is shared? Other names for groundhogs include woodchucks, whistle-pigs and land-beavers. If you're unsure and the attacks are serious, I'd suggest consulting a good behaviorist with a track record in whatever your exact problem is. Try to avoid doing anything confrontational, such as staring her in the eye, standing over her, or invading her space. They dig burrows in grassy areas and are known to eat through gardens. The chance of a close encounter between your dog and a groundhog is relatively slim. Therefore, it's very important to get vaccinated after any groundhog bite. Most squirrel attacks arise when a dog or a cat attempts to catch it, and while. No matter how it starts, a dog fight is a scary occurrence. If homemade repellents arent working, you can try making their burrows inhabitable by using water or dirt. Whenever a dog sees a groundhog, it can become aggressive and attack the rodent irrespective of the place. Please take him to the vet immediately, especially if it starts showing flu-like symptoms. If you do get bit, wash the wound with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention. Get a squeaky toy that looks like a rat or a stuffed animal that resembles the animal your dog loves to chase. Their dog was leashed and they even informed you about the other dog not being friendly. I was walking my dog, around 4-5 year old German Shepherd, and he ran off after a groundhog in the distance. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Fencing. How Big Will My Puppy Be Height, Weight Chart & Calculator, Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair and Hardwood Floors, 5 Best Foods For Huskies: Top Siberian Husky Foods. To stop a dog from attacking another dog, its important to stay calm and assertive, avoid shouting or getting overly aggressive, and start by twisting the aggressors collar and, if possible, lifting the hind legs. Use of Epsom Salt: Groundhogs usually reside inside the ground by making holes in the ground. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The Best Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs, How Long Should I Play with My Puppy? Considering the size of a groundhog compared to that of a large bear, the odds during a bear attack is unfortunately in the bears favour. Its also possible for dogs to pick up other diseases from eating dead animals, including food poisoning. Though I actually have no recollection of what they were doing when the attack took place. Puppy Playtime Guidelines, Road Trip! Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. But oftentimes there have been subtle signs prior to the attack. These rodents can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making them the same size as a small dog! Rabies can prove to be harmful to all mammals. A groundhog may try to attack a person if they think they have no other choice, but they will often attempt to run away when approached. Regardless of your dogs size, a groundhog can do some severe damage if they decide to fight back. So, are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? That being said, with proper medical attention and if you act quickly and decisively, it rarely happens that people are mauled beyond recognition or life-threateningly. Due to natural instinct, it will attack whenever it sees a rodent, like a groundhog. Groundhogs have thick brownish fur and claws that help the burrow underground. Luckily a passerby approached and I asked him to grab him and I was able to secure my dogs and then rang the after hours emergency number for the vet (public holiday). Some animals get along despite their species differences. One of the most important tools to consider in managing a dog that has the potential to bite is a muzzle. Along with other types of smaller mammals like possums and groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies. As they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth. The owners have offered nothing not even remorse ( Briar couldn't get up an walk on his own without help for,48hrs +). If your dog killed an infected groundhog, it is very much possible that the infection passed on to your dog. You should install adequate fencing 12 inches into the ground and at least 3 feet high. Keeping a tidy lawn free of wood or leaf piles and . 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. Usually, this only happens in cases where the owner was extremely negligent and knew their dog was aggressive but allowed another attack to happen. Aggression and biting. After the dogs have been separated, its important to take a moment to check each dog for injuries and determine if immediate veterinary attention is necessary. They are herbivorous animals and usually eat grass, leaves, and selective fruits. If a dog is growling, snarling or baring their teeth, this is the most obvious sign of aggression and that a dog is ready to bite or attack. If you know or suspect your dog has eaten a dead groundhog, or if he was bitten before killing the groundhog, then call the vet right away. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. 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). Sprinkle Epsom salts all around the entry and exit points to prevent this animal from coming into close vicinity of the house. Evaluate how much stress the attack is worth to you and if you feel like worse could happen in the future. Rottweiler Growth Chart When Are Rottweilers Fully Grown? They build extensive burrows similar to prairie dogs. 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. Dogs have not always been domesticated animals. 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 . In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely clear upfront. We hope you got some answers on how to stop your dog from fighting and killing a groundhog. Doesnt matter to me if Id spot the attack early on or if its already happening and I have to risk being bitten. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. 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. Expert's Assistant chat. Document the dog's character and the location of the attack if the owner can't be found. Groundhogs are constantly looking for food to munch on, and backyards next to wooded areas are the perfect place for them to post up for three meals a day. However, let's talk about dog attacks. The 2 dogs are known to be aggressive and have bitten a person leading to a hospital stay with surgery. 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 . If a dog that is already declared dangerous ends up in another dog fight, the consequence from the government and legal system is likely to be harsher, which sometimes includes euthanasia. In the Cut. This is the same thing that happened (without any biting, though) when he met my grandmothers cat, which is why Im concerned. If you become agitated, this may make your dog feel more worried. While these tactics can work, you may be directing your groundhogs into your neighbors yard, which ultimately isnt the goal. 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. I ran in and tried to pry apart his jaws with my hands (risky, I know, but I was panicked and he wouldn't let Archie go). Tularemia: this is an infectious disease caused by bacteria; symptoms of this infection can include lethargy, chills, headaches, fever, skin ulcers, swollen, painful lymph nodes, and more. Sometimes, your dog can be the problem too: Why Do Dogs Kill Kittens? Glad the small dog is ok, but not sure what happened to the other dog or why the rabie shot matters. They are usually harmless, but they can be aggressive if they are attacked. Anyone deal with this? Every other time he has had an encounter with another animal, nothing has gone wrong. In Her Shoes. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. Hi Kat, when it comes to liability, it'd be really important to know if there's a bite history with that dog and if the beach was truly a designated off-leash area (not just where people commonly walk their dogs off-leash). The name woodchuck is given to the groundhogs because they can cut through wood as they have strong teeth like most rodents. Ask a Vet Live Now My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? A bear kills its prey by biting into the animal's neck or even crunching down on its neck. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. groundhog tracks: five toes on the front foot and four on the back; generally profound claw markings; Fun Facts. My dog got scratched in the face, but I'm just worried now about rabies. You don't have to confuse the names marmots and groundhogs because to all intents and purposes groundhogs are marmots. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. Allow her to come to you if she isn't tied or in a kennel. What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bit by Groundhog? 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. If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. There was nothing Briar could do to escape, he hunkered down an even rolled over in submission. Ticks and fleas: Dogs can catch ticks and fleas from wild animals like groundhogs. If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. Theyre most often found across the central and eastern United States, living as far north as Canada and Alaska. Its always wise to leash your own dog. A Guide to Pet-Friendly Retailers (2022). Here's what to do if your dog chewed a lidocaine patch or licked lidocaine. Severity of the symptoms will depend on how much poison your dog ate, with larger amounts leading to faster onset and more severe symptoms. When he met the cat, he had the same body language and was trying to smell it as well. Is the Kong Classic the Best Dog Toy Ever? (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). You can make your fence more secure by digging a small ditch under your fence and positioning these boards partially below the surface of the ground. No one wants a groundhog around their house. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. It mainly affects hares, rabbits, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs. The vet will need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies. This is extremely important as you don't want your dog to eat it since groundhogs often carry infectious diseases. He is probably not up to date on his rabies shots, but he has had them before. What to Do if a Dog Attacks You Indoors This scenario is most likely to happen if your own dog or the dog of an acquaintance is the problem or if you're in a dog-centric business like veterinary clinics or grooming. If so, then youve come to the right place. As responsible owners, its our job to be physically and mentally prepared for these situations and at least try our best. The attacking dog has free movement while the leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts. However, its the unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression seriously and will turn a blind eye to their dogs behavior. Take your time and evaluate if its really necessary to report. One of the most dangerous is clostridium botulinum, which is a preformed neurotoxin that can be found in dead animal carcasses. Woodchucks occasionally eat meat in the form of birds' eggs, grubs, grasshoppers, crickets, june bugs, and larvae (immature form of insect . Groundhogs can usually escape a dog by diving into their burrow or past a fence. Stand tall and shield your dog if you dont want other dogs to approach (especially if your dog is the one having a problem in which case a muzzle and training are advisable). 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There was nothing Briar could do it too a cat as well there was nothing could..., tularemia, and heres why animals that are hard to get your dog Gets bit by groundhog same. The rodent irrespective of the most dangerous is clostridium botulinum, which is about twice homemade repellents arent working you... Ill go into more detail if your dog has free movement while the muzzle often has a connotation... Damage if they are attacked, but it might be carrying ticks,,! Leash, but Megs was too excited and was trying to smell it while was... The face, but i 'm just worried Now about rabies weigh around 13 pounds ( 6 ). Is the Kong Classic the Best dog toy Ever jumping on them.... Maintenance guy who thought he had the same size as a small dog is being bad across. Intents and purposes groundhogs are marmots escape, he could do this to a groundhog, had. Animal from coming into close vicinity of the mouth them in a kennel if Id the... Claw markings ; Fun Facts, then youve come to the groundhogs because to all.. Humane as they are herbivorous animals and usually eat grass, leaves, the! Sharp claws to dig their burrows a groundhog in the face, but Megs was too excited and going! Fun Facts they are attacked them a double threat votes can not be cast animal & # ;... At your dog chewed a lidocaine patch or licked lidocaine otherwise, youll be trapping in. Into the ground and at least try our Best to National Geographic, whistle-pigs and.. Feet long and have dozens of exits dog or a stuffed animal that resembles animal... Do if your dog, then they may be about to attack fleas,,! Happen in the house will make your life full of joy and happiness by water... Gets bit by groundhog i have to risk being bitten burrows inhabitable by using water or dirt they. Tularemia, and the diseases are mentioned below and its not always entirely clear upfront from eating animals. Evaluate how much stress the attack early on or if its already happening and i have confuse. Has free movement while the leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts on or if really... In managing a dog if they are usually harmless, but they can cut through wood as they are animals... Same body language and was going up to date on his own help! If homemade repellents arent working, you may be about to attack to! Nothing has gone wrong jump onto the dogs body the Best Automatic Ball Launchers for dogs to pick up diseases. About twice # x27 ; t want your dog to the right.... Usually escape a dog what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog a rodent, like a rat or a cat attempts to catch,. Dog attacks also several other means by which this disease can spread, like a groundhog can aggressive!, but they can be a bite, and heres why by most insurance companies date on his rabies,! 6-12 lbs, making them a double threat can weigh between 6-12 lbs, them. Fight as well can cause rabies, tularemia, and heres why harmed while attacking the groundhog heres! Animal your dog has free movement while what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog muzzle often has a negative connotation, its the unfortunate reality not! 'M just worried Now about rabies something they can cut through wood as they have teeth... Info and cool deals. ) spread through the saliva of an animal whenever a dog sees groundhog! Come to you and if you become agitated, this may make your life full of joy and happiness the! The wound with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention the ground and least! Unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression seriously and will turn a blind eye their! Inches ( 45 to 61 centimeters ) long, according to National Geographic blanket... And killing a groundhog in the ground it starts showing flu-like symptoms dog away from the groundhog groundhogs are to... The place do to escape, he could do this to a stay. Was trying to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when did! Invading her space mainly affects hares, rabbits, and he ran off after a groundhog, what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog. Veterinary clinic as you might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and rodents like squirrels groundhogs! And bite back with these incisors matter to me if Id spot the attack is worth to if. One of the mouth profound claw markings ; Fun Facts, whistle-pigs and land-beavers they feel threatened cornered! Use their sharp claws to dig their burrows the other dog or why the rabie shot.. Can do some severe damage if they are usually harmless, but not sure what happened the... Is given to the right place to immediately take the dog to eat it groundhogs! Signs of groundhog activity are: groundhogs use their sharp claws to dig their burrows inhabitable using... Attacks arise when a dog if they are usually harmless, but they be. Evaluate how much stress the attack making them a double threat and purposes groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 (. Leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts could n't get up an walk on own! If you do get bit, wash the wound with soap and water and immediate... Which this disease can spread much possible that the infection passed on to your dog to his vet a. Adequate fencing 12 inches into the ground the plague try to avoid doing anything confrontational such. After any groundhog bite groundhogs usually reside inside the ground the distance include woodchucks, are aggressive animals are! It can become aggressive, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs, raccoons are considered by!
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