Toss a . This means if you click on the link and purchase this item or service, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Some animals get along despite their species differences. Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. The 2 dogs penned him inside of the large shelter we have in our kennel. 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. Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks or "whistle-pigs." The familiar name woodchuck actually has nothing to do with wood, and stems from the Native American names for them: wuchak, wejack, and possibly otchek, which is a name for fishers. Groundhogs may be attracted to your yard if there are wood piles, leaf piles, or garbage cans/litter around the area. The vet will need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies. If the groundhog bites the dog during the fighting, then your dog can have rabies, and you can easily detect it by the symptoms of the disease. Was it an appropriate and measured response? I would not give any guarentees what a Chihuahua would do. Groundhogs fall in the category of prey. Don't just choke the dog since that'll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to . Rather than reaching for a dogs collar, which is often our instinct, many experts suggest that its safer to grab the rear legs of a dog to pull them away from a fight. Its often the case that one owner is responsible and following local laws by keeping their dog on a leash, and their on-leash dog is attacked by a dog that is off-leash. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-leader-1-0');As we have reached the end of this article, we hope that now you know what to do if your dog kills a groundhog. Rabies can prove to be harmful to all mammals. Having a reactive dog is not forbidden. However, they can carry parasites and some infections, including: Ticks & fleas: like other wild animals, woodchucks do carry ticks & fleas. The attacking dog has free movement while the leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts. Having a dog comes with a lot of responsibilities. However, the trick is to bend the fencing into a six foot tall "C" shape. The name woodchuck is given to the groundhogs because they can cut through wood as they have strong teeth like most rodents. A groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) is an animal that belongs to the rodent family. For each animal this can be a different story. This is extremely important as you don't want your dog to eat it since groundhogs often carry infectious diseases. Some woodchucks are also aggressive. Groundhogs are known carriers of the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia. Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes. If it's a single gate, that's just waiting for an accident to happen. When you bring a dog into your house, you have to be more responsible from that moment. What diseases can a dog get from a groundhog? From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. Groundhog size. What Should I Do? Whether or not your dog has been involved in other fights, if both owners were following local laws, and other aspects of the situation do play a role, though. She was outside, and the groundhog was rather territorial and chased the woman into her car. However, it can be argued this only works if you can safely grab your small dog without being bitten yourself. Severity of the symptoms will depend on how much poison your dog ate, with larger amounts leading to faster onset and more severe symptoms. Gross and ridiculous. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. What if your dog defended himself and accidentally nibbed a human? This question typically depends on your dogs temperament. Why Is My Adult Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? In my personal opinion and experience, twisting the collar and applying the right amount of pressure with a skilled grip can definitely resolve a dog fight. What Is Wrong? Please make sure that there is an emergency fund for your dog in the future. After moving him away from the groundhog, we were approached by two other nice dogs (worst timing ever, though), who literally went right up to my dogs face to smell him and he was very bloody too. Thankfully, you can take many preventative measures to ensure your yard remains groundhog-free. This is also my first time posting here so sorry if I do anything wrong. Squishy spots in your yard where the soil is very loose. Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size. Groundhogs do not typically chase after and attack dogs. 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. If you have control over your dog and have trained them well, only then try to stop him from fighting the 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). It was a lightbulb moment: Reed encouraged the pup, and then eventually got more terriers and encouraged them, too. Some terrific groundhog repellents include epsom salt, ammonia, talcum powder, red pepper flakes, and garlic. That being said, how lapsed is lapsed? If youre on the receiving end, talk to the other party. The mauling of a dachshund by a Staffordshire terrier in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'thepupcrawl_com-box-4','ezslot_6',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-box-4-0'); If your pet dog attacks the groundhog, the woodchuck can bite your dog anywhere in the body. There's no right way to feel when one loses a dog. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Groundhogs hibernate from late fall for roughly three months, then wake up when it's still quite cold. For dogs that were bitten while killing the groundhog, be sure to save the groundhog. Shouldn't the apartment complex had signs up to close gates? Your situation might be totally different (seniors, people with medical conditions, and so on). Chat With a Veterinarian For Personalized Help. Wild animal attacks typically result in pet insurance claims for treatment of lacerations, bite wounds, puncture, and soft tissue trauma. Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large. Similarly, if you often have your friendly dog off-leash, you might want to reevaluate. I made my way out of the water and up to them as quick as I could and apologised for Megs. Groundhogs will only become aggressive if they feel the need to defend themselves. This rodent species carries a lot of viruses that can cause several diseases in dogs. Rabies: this is another disease woodchucks may carry. The following are some of the ways in which you can keep all the groundhogs away from your home as well as your dogs. Then, your pet will have no sense of who its enemy or friend is and can even cause harm to you. Instead, you can use the suggested repellents below to guide the groundhog toward the trap that youve placed in front of the exit. If bitten by a groundhog, gently wash and disinfect the bite site. Dont just choke the dog since thatll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to quickly end the fight and avoid damage to the dogs throat if possible. Remove visual stimulus, get something between you (umbrella, car, garbage pail, blanket, etc.). Nothing happened. The dirt present on the body of a groundhog often attracts parasites like ticks and fleas. Groundhogs are also known as rabies carriers which can be transmitted to your dog through a bite. Beau and Megs and the other boxer did not join in the attack at any point. Glory. If a groundhog feels cornered or trapped, they are most likely to attack when threatened by a larger animal like a dog. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or "whistle-pigs," are a type of mammal called a marmot, a member of the squirrel family. They are a medium-sized stocky rodent, a little smaller than a raccoon. Additional steps couldve been taken such as training your dog to wait as well as come back or using a safety harness. I'd be more concerned with the maintenance guy who thought he had to intervene in that way. Here's what to do if your dog chewed a lidocaine patch or licked lidocaine. While its best to have situational awareness and spot potential threats early on, a surprise attack or just unlucky circumstances are always a possibility. However, its also important to recognize when your dog is not social with other dogs and take appropriate management steps to keep everyone safe. Try firmly telling the approaching dog a familiar cue, such as "sit" or "stay.". Train Her Using a Stuffed Animal. Along with other types of smaller mammals like possums and groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies. Due to natural instinct, it will attack whenever it sees a rodent, like a groundhog. If your dog attacks a guest or stranger, homeowners insurance can potentially cover legal and medical expenses arising from the attack, but coverage is generally going to depend on the specifics of your policy . It depends on a lot of factors that make prediction hard. Signs to watch out for include unsteadiness, weakness, muscle tremors, over-excitability, paddling motions of the limbs, depression, vomiting, high fever, leg stiffness, and seizures. 10. Both owners are . Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. /r/dogs is a place for dog owners of all levels of knowledge, skill, and experience to discuss all topics related to dogs. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. So, are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? If a groundhog has already started tunneling in your yard, you can use the above repellents in the burrows closest to your home, moving further away until you have treated the last tunnel. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'thepupcrawl_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_3',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Initially, your dog might develop flu-like symptoms. If your dog is bitten or attacked by another dog in the UK, here's what to do: Keep them calm and warm in a blanket and keep the nose and mouth exposed. Groundhogs are very defensive about their burrows, and trying to dig into the burrow is likely to aggravate the groundhog to attack, and they do have large front teeth that can deliver a nasty bite. I posted about it in a local FB discussion group, hoping to reach the attacking dog's owner to ask that they contribute to the vet bill and all I got was criticism from all sides and people telling me to "suck it up princess", "you're at fault", "you're to blame", "your dogs were the aggressors" and only sparing sympathy. Constant vocalization and barking. 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. My Dog Chewed a Lidocaine Patch. 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 . Stay calm and assertive, call for help and give clear instructions if possible 2. "Groundhogs do have large incisors like rodents do, so your dog stands a chance of being bitten. You can also fill the tunnels with dirt. Distract your dog from a distance. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are a member of the squirrel family and are known to be common yard pests. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal. 8. I was walking my dog, around 4-5 year old German Shepherd, and he ran off after a groundhog in the distance. Then join our exclusive club! Groundhogs mostly live in filthy places and, because of that, carry a lot of microbes with them. While thats true most of the time, it can definitely backfire. You can use carrots, sweetcorn, and other food items that a groundhog eats as baits. The contents of the OurFitPets.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (Content) are for informational purposes only. Luckily he is healing physically, but emotionally I'm afraid we will have more work an time. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! 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. My Dog Was Bitten By Another Dog: What Do I Do? If your dog killed a groundhog, he might be at risk of getting fleas, roundworms, ticks, rabies, and tularemia, which these rodents carry. Since groundhogs are part of the squirrel family, you can use pesticides designed for similar rodents to keep them away from your home. we have rescue dogs an old austrailian silkie, a young shitzu,a jack russell we rescued 7 yrs ago we have just took on a wire haired pointer griffon hes been ok for a couple of months now suddenly the jack and him will start eyeballing then go for it, one fight took off where the griff had the jack around the throat i managed to part them with puncture wounds to the jack i seperated the living area and upped the walksthis seemed to work for a few weeks then the griff launched an attack on the jack again had him by the throat i quickly quelled it but they walktogether outside and go to the feild not a problem. Sometimes, the opposite sites are ordered to pay for each others veterinary costs. In this article, we will discuss what can happen and what you should do if your dog killed a groundhog.. As with humans, our adrenaline can keep us going to the point of not noticing we are hurt in stressful situations. Our 2yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue heeler) was attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls. If you do get bit, wash the wound with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern US. Take your time and evaluate if its really necessary to report. It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. 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. 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). Little dog had surgery is OK. Gross, ridiculous and terrifying for your dog. 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. Had their dog been muzzled, this wouldn't have happened, yet somehow I was the only one at fault in their eyes. i called my mom and it looks like we can get him to the vet for a booster shot by tomorrow. As mentioned earlier, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. 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. Their dog was leashed and they even informed you about the other dog not being friendly. Certain dog breeds are more prone to chasing small animals (terriers and hounds, for example). The good news is that groundhogs dont carry as many diseases as other rodents. A large dog will kill a marmot, whereas a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. Anyone deal with this? No high fees. Nuts- Shagbark, hickory, acorns (nut of oaks and contains seeds). This is the same thing that happened (without any biting, though) when he met my grandmothers cat, which is why Im concerned. We are trying to get him into the vet tomorrow, how worried should I be? If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. Therefore, it's very important to get vaccinated after any groundhog bite. Theres truly no way to put what most of our dogs mean to us in monetary form, but covering the cost of the dog you lost is often the way courts decide to handle these cases. Similar to their reactions to dogs, groundhogs are only aggressive if they feel trapped or cornered. 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Their burrows inhabitable by using water or dirt items that what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog groundhog, gently wash and disinfect the bite.!