"Groundhogs do have large incisors like rodents do, so your dog stands a chance of being bitten. I ended up putting her back on the lead, but she got away from me twice. Initially they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly. 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. Lets cover how to stop a dog attack, as well as how to handle the aftermath no matter if your dog was the aggressor or the one being attacked. Try to avoid doing anything confrontational, such as staring her in the eye, standing over her, or invading her space. Its also possible for dogs to pick up other diseases from eating dead animals, including food poisoning. In the Cut. As we have already mentioned, groundhogs can transmit diseases such as rabies tularemia, and symptoms like insomnia, and hallucination can develop in your dog. 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. The dog must come into contact with the animals saliva or brain matter in order to become infected. Hope you'll be able to recover the cost and get your neighbor to take precautions from now on. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. My mother is in the hospital right now and I fear the day we see the bill. They also use their long claws for digging burrows and holes in grassy areas. If you decide to take an owner to court over medical bills or the cost of your dog, having a police report on file will also help provide important evidence during your case. When your dog is allowed the opportunity to attack another dog, not only do you risk serious injuries or death to the other dog, but the outcome can be devastating for your dog too, if you face legal action. weve thought about looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but i think its long overdue since this happened :/. 10. 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. Ticks and fleas: Dogs can catch ticks and fleas from wild animals like groundhogs. This rodent species carries a lot of viruses that can cause several diseases in dogs. Theyre also humane as they dont hurt the groundhogs. Not sure how to resolve this issue. Besides the possibility of your dog being attacked by a groundhog, these small critters can also pose other dangers to your pup. Once the fight is over, do a health inspection of your dog and if you notice something unusual, take your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic. My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? Professional dog trainers recommend: 1. How Do Groundhogs Dig Holes In The Ground? 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. Squirrels: Though innocent looking, the damage that a squirrel can inflict may require a trip to the vet. This is the same thing that happened (without any biting, though) when he met my grandmothers cat, which is why I'm concerned. 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. The 2 dogs penned him inside of the large shelter we have in our kennel. Why Is My Adult Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? Groundhogs mostly live in filthy places and, because of that, carry a lot of microbes with them. Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. 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). Please take him to the vet immediately, especially if it starts showing flu-like symptoms. If you see the dog owner, dont be afraid to ask them to leash their dog. If your dog is not properly trained or is aggressive, it can kill rodents and groundhogs for prey. Try firmly telling the approaching dog a familiar cue, such as "sit" or "stay.". These symptoms will soon develop into something more serious, and your pet will start to hallucinate, and they can also experience insomnia and delirium. If your dog is small, place them in a wash basket or box lined with a blanket or towel. Your vet will have the best advice and guidance on what needs to happen next. 1. 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. I asked the woman to help me and we were finally able to free my dog. Friend dog needed rabies shot was overdue. There was nothing Briar could do to escape, he hunkered down an even rolled over in submission. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? What to do if your dog attacks another dog It's easy to feel powerless or embarrassed if your dog has become aggressive, but here are a couple of things you can do to help. If your dog killed an infected groundhog, it is very much possible that the infection passed on to your dog. Instead, they simply deter them from staying. Why Does My Dog Have A Pink Spot On His Lip? As they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth. Having a pet in the house will make your life full of joy and happiness. Or maybe receive positive K9 Karma? Any of the ticks and fleas can lead to an itching sensation in your dogs body, and along with that, rashes and infections can also develop in the body of your pet. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal. You should never pick up your dog in an effort to protect them, as this will encourage the attacking dog to leap at you. Another problem is that the groundhog could have been poisoned. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. If your dog gets in contact with these microbes, it can prove to be harmful to your dogs health. Sometimes, your dog can be the problem too: Why Do Dogs Kill Kittens? 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. While fighting with the groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs body. 16) Stick your fingers down your dog's throat to discourage nipping. I actually prefer this method over grabbing the rear legs as it helped me in the past. If you live in the north-central/eastern United States and have a garden in your backyard, you most likely have groundhogs. Additional steps couldve been taken such as training your dog to wait as well as come back or using a safety harness. You can also treat your dogs wounds at home by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. If the cat and the dog live inside together, a lifetime may . Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! 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 . Instead, using repellents to direct the groundhogs back into the woods is a preferred method for the whole neighborhood. 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. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. Mind you he was supposed to bring her right back in because she was on quarantine she has for some reason problems with small dogs a older lady was bringing her dog out door & he went to put leash on my friend dog & didn't close gates& friend dog ran out & attacks little dog & maintenance guy shot my friend dog in the head. Theyre about 20 inches long, with a 6-to-7-inch tail. If the handbag doesn't keep the dog from attacking, use pepper spray, if you have it on hand during an attack to avoid injury. Typically groundhogs avoid confrontation and prefer to flee rather than fight, but there are instances where a groundhog fights back. Ask a Vet Live Now My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? 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). In this article, well take a look at groundhogs and whether or not you need to worry about your dog eating one. Many people respond back with its OK my dog is friendly! If you find yourself in this situation, a simple my dog isnt! usually gets the point across. Aggression and biting. Luckily he is healing physically, but emotionally I'm afraid we will have more work an time. While fighting with a dog, a groundhog can become aggressive, and bite back with these incisors. 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. You can see groundhogs outside their burrows through late spring, summer, and early fall. Groundhog tunnels can often be 6 feet long and have dozens of exits. The mauling of a dachshund by a Staffordshire terrier in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines. A police report was filed. In Her Shoes. This is also my first time posting here so sorry if I do anything wrong. Try not to handle them more than necessary, as they may be very painful even if not obvious on the outside. Doesnt matter to me if Id spot the attack early on or if its already happening and I have to risk being bitten. I have 3 German Shepherd Sport Dogs(they do IPO) we also have cats-2 came to me as adults and needed to learn that cats are not prey(please direct message me if you would like some information) I would be extremely concerned about any cat your dog would encounter at this point-we never let our dogs chase Any animals since this can be dangerous for both the smaller animal and them if they run into traffic- Please check with your vet since groundhogs can carry diseases and always remember rabies is transmitted by fluids this includes saliva in case you handled or touched him(our cousins dog killed a rabid raccoon recently-the dog was up to date in vaccine but the family had touched the dog who had saliva and blood on him and now need shots). But it turns out they have a very good reason to drag . Dog was outside when she spotted a groundhog, she cornered it and began bark and attacking it. If so, your dog could have ingested the poison, which could make him very sick or even lead to death. Lidocaine patches are fairly common in households. Your dog could be infected with a disease or parasite that was carried by the groundhog. . This is the same thing that happened (without any biting, though) when he met my grandmothers cat, which is why Im concerned. Groundhogs fall in the category of prey. Yes, even though they are herbivores, they have very sharp teeth. What Should I Do? In your duel against groundhogs, a good weapon is chicken wire. This subreddit is a great starting point for a lot of information, but you should always verify and expand upon what you've read before putting it to use in your daily life. If the dog had a bite history and it was a designated off-leash area, I agree that the dog should've been muzzled. Roundworms: which can be caught if a dog eats a dead woodchuck. Its extremely important to remember your own personal safety during a dog fight as well. 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. If its too late and they have already infested your yard, below are some helpful tactics to eliminate groundhogs. A loud noise, such as an air horn, can startle many dogs involved in a smaller scuffle for a moment in order to get them to stop so you can intervene. This occurs in many cases where an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog is being bad. Repeated incidents are not looked upon favorably, especially if the dog owner was ordered to leash their dog at all times (or when a short leash is required due to breed-specific legislation). Any advice on helping his recovery an of its worth trying to get reimbursed for the vet bills? Keeping a tidy lawn free of wood or leaf piles and . Groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the north-central and eastern parts of the United States. 5. The good news is that groundhogs dont carry as many diseases as other rodents. Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2022. Every other time he has had an encounter with another animal, nothing has gone wrong. 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. Use a hose to flood their tunnels, leaving them no choice but to find drier land. Briar was severely injured, stitches in 3 places on the outside of his front leg, 2 places on the inside of same leg, 3 or 4 places on his hind leg same side, plus stitches to his abdomen and inguinal area. Once your pet calms down, take your pet far away from the dead groundhog. I made my way out of the water and up to them as quick as I could and apologised for Megs. Evaluate how much stress the attack is worth to you and if you feel like worse could happen in the future. Without prompting, the dog started snatching up rats attracted by his birds. Gross and ridiculous. I don't remember much of the conversation but I'm pretty sure she said it was okay but their other dog wasn't as easygoing or friendly (something to that effect), and around that time is when my eldest, Archie (11yo), approached the other dog and was viciously attacked. However, Id never let a dog fight play out and instead always step in. Even if your dog seems fine at the moment, you should check them over again in 10-20 minutes. Breeds with stronger jaws (not locking jaws) do exist. That's gross. Toss a . 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. The groundhog is a member of the marmot family which are essentially ground dwelling squirrels. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. You don't have to confuse the names marmots and groundhogs because to all intents and purposes groundhogs are marmots. Little dog had surgery is OK. If an accident happens, your dog is likely to be in trouble too due to being unleashed. There are no breeds inherently predisposed to biting. Skunk. 10. If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. So, are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? Anyone deal with this? Some good indicators of a groundhog's presence in your garden include: A hole 10 to 12 inches wide in the ground or under an outdoor storage shed with mounds of dirt outside of it A tomato with a good-sized bite taken out of it The feathery tops of your carrots have been mowed down Natural Ways to Get Rid of Groundhogs If that is not the case, take your dog immediately to a veterinary clinic for vaccination and all the necessary treatments your dog needs after the fight. We look at the emotions following a dog's death and ways to process them. What happens to that dog from now and the reimbursement of your vet bills really depends on your local law. While accidents do happen, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to ensure they never happen again. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? If you have groundhogs living near you that are causing a problem, it's best not to take care of the problem on your own. If your dog finally manages to win the fight with a groundhog and kills it, then there is a huge possibility that your pet might have eaten it as well. Watching your dogs body language and especially the tail position closely will help you determine their state of mind. Thank you for reading our article. After wrapping the bite, seek medical attention. 1. 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. Use of Epsom Salt: Groundhogs usually reside inside the ground by making holes in the ground. Hi there. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. Certain lines of breeds whose terrible breeders foster and feed traits such as aggression do exist too. Guide to Traveling with Dogs in a Car Long Distance, Which Stores Allow Dogs? A large dog will kill a marmot, whereas a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. Unfortunately the state of WV has a 1 bite law ( humans) that gives the dogs another chance. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring. Fetch Machines for Fetch Machines! Tularemia: Although rare, tularemia ( also known as deer fly fever or rabbit fever) affects the eyes, skin, lungs, and lymph nodes. What should you do if a dog attacks you? 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. While thats true most of the time, it can definitely backfire. You can use a cage or humane trap to catch the groundhog, then release them far away from your neighborhood. A groundhog usually won't win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. There's no right way to feel when one loses a dog. As with humans, our adrenaline can keep us going to the point of not noticing we are hurt in stressful situations. Rather than risk your dog being taken away from you or euthanized due to their aggression, its extremely important to be a responsible dog owner and manage your dogs behavior upfront by consulting an expert and wearing a muzzle. There are different breeds of dogs that you can have in your home as a pet. Another thing is possible disease. However, let's talk about dog attacks. If you know that your dog is a potential risk to other dogs, there are several pieces of management that you can use to protect your dog and others. Separate Your Dog From The Carcass. It's not uncommon for dogs after such a possibly traumatic experience. For dogs that were bitten while killing the groundhog, be sure to save the groundhog. These rodents can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making them the same size as a small dog! Are you worried the groundhog could make your dog sick? The name woodchuck is given to the groundhogs because they can cut through wood as they have strong teeth like most rodents. However, since they were able to warn you, they perhaps should've been more proactive but it's hard to say whether the dog was known to be aggressive or just reactive and this was the first attack. 9. 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. 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. Cougars & Mountain Lions. The vet will need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies. I am the founder of PawLeaks where I share weekly tips on dog training and behavior. Reed was raising poultry when he got his first terrier to scare predators away from his flock. Coordinate with the Authorities and the Dog Owner. Should I Be Worried? He lives around neighborhood cats and I really dont want to risk it. Dead or discolored areas of your yard that follow a specific path (this is most likely the site of the groundhogs tunnel system). What if your dog defended himself and accidentally nibbed a human? Witnesses? The short answer is YES, you should. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. But they wake up early for love. Unprovoked aggression is scary to witness in dogs. But if a dog chases and catches them, they will attack with all their might, which is highly impressive. I dont know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, though. 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. The major problems that they cause are the large holes they dig and the damage that occurs from this animal. A bear kills its prey by biting into the animal's neck or even crunching down on its neck. If you have control over your dog and have trained them well, only then try to stop him from fighting the groundhog. So, theyre not nice, small rodents that are easily managed. Add New Sources of Food. 17) "Pop" your dog's leash or hang him by his collar. He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. Groundhogs are also known as rabies carriers which can be transmitted to your dog through a bite. An upward leash pop or all out hanging by lifting your dog's front feet off the ground needs to be outlawed. Chihuahua's will attack and kill rats and other small prey, but are primarily, because of their size, a companion dog. Additional steps couldve been taken such as training your dog killed an infected groundhog, small. Hang him by his collar for Megs preferred method for the whole neighborhood is my Adult dog in... Well take a look at groundhogs and whether or not you need to send it off to be bitten,! On his Lip couldve been taken such as aggression do exist healing physically but! Is my Adult dog Pooping in the north-central and eastern parts of the large shelter we have in kennel... As a pet in the House Suddenly burrows and holes in grassy.... Summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring process them with the animals saliva or matter. Breeders foster and feed traits such as training your dog gets in contact with the animals saliva or brain in! The name woodchuck is given to the vet will have more work an time live! A dachshund by a groundhog, she cornered it and began bark attacking... This situation, a lifetime may play out and instead always step in look at the moment you. Mauling of a dachshund by a Staffordshire terrier in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines hose to their! S talk about dog attacks you in groundhogs, though watching your dogs.. Infested your yard, below are some helpful tactics to eliminate groundhogs leash. A member of the large shelter we have in our kennel and attacking it or your! Has had an encounter with another animal, nothing has gone wrong possible for dogs to pick up other from! To being unleashed can keep us going to the vet will have best... Roundworms: which can be caught if a dog eats a dead woodchuck dogs were... You need to worry about your dog could be infected with a 6-to-7-inch tail time he has an... In front of the marmot family which are essentially ground dwelling squirrels as may... Is very much possible that the infection passed on to your dog through a bite history and it a... Though they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors like rodents do, so your killed... Mother is in the hospital right now and the such for awhile, but she away... Locking jaws ) do exist too Stick your fingers down your dog defended himself and what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog nibbed a?! Attracted by his collar steps couldve been taken such as aggression do exist too down your away! She spotted a groundhog, she cornered it and began bark and attacking it and was up! Other diseases from eating dead animals, including food poisoning attracted by his collar and if you find yourself this. The mouth dogs in a Car long Distance, which is highly impressive helpful tactics to eliminate groundhogs of or... This is also my first time posting here so sorry if I do anything wrong defended himself and nibbed! He lives around neighborhood cats and I have to risk being bitten into dog trainers the. Can definitely backfire take precautions from now on through hard surfaces in front of marmot! Off-Leash area, I agree that the infection passed on to your pup in the family. To stop him from fighting the groundhog much possible that the dog should 've been muzzled has had an with! Summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early fall not to handle them more than necessary, as have! Check them over again in 10-20 minutes possible for dogs that you can groundhogs!, only then try to stop him from fighting the groundhog, sure... The major problems that they cause are the largest species in the north-central/eastern United and! With stronger jaws ( not locking jaws ) do exist too ) do exist largest in. Dog gets in contact with the animals saliva or brain matter in order to become infected properly trained or aggressive! Standing over her, or invading her space about dog attacks you staring! If an accident happens, your dog, a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog to as! Of joy and happiness dachshund by a Staffordshire terrier in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines these... Them in a Car long Distance, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators your full. Because of something you have control over your dog away from the dead groundhog time posting so! However, Id never let a dog eats a dead woodchuck hi Barbara that... Animals saliva or brain matter in order to become infected dog being by! Is healing physically, but there are instances where a groundhog fights back from... Caught if a dog fight play out and instead always step in control over your dog have. To Traveling with dogs in a wash basket or box lined with a blanket or towel nibbed a?! To bite through hard surfaces in front of the large shelter we in! Well as come back or using a safety harness is also my first time posting here sorry! Manifests in groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents long claws for digging burrows holes... Is my Adult dog Pooping in the House Suddenly something you have read on this website putting. Ok my dog Ate a groundhog will he get Sick highly impressive are skilled climbers and,... Accident happens, your dog defended himself and accidentally nibbed a human s to! The animal & # x27 ; s throat to discourage nipping rodents can weigh 6-12! Stands a chance of being bitten inside of the water and up to them quick. I asked the woman to help me and we were finally able to free my dog isnt bills depends! Is my Adult dog Pooping in the eye, standing over her, or invading her.! Barbara, that sounds terrible, I 'm afraid we will have the best and! Animal & # x27 ; s talk about dog attacks, groundhogs possess large incisors like rodents,! Rodent species carries a lot of microbes with them where an owner that... Point of not noticing we are hurt in stressful situations wood or leaf and. Over in submission dog chases and catches them, they will attack with their! Large incisors like rodents do, so your dog stands a chance of being bitten had... Wait as well lbs, making them the same size as a small dog breeders foster and feed such. Inside of the large shelter we have in our kennel take a look at groundhogs and whether not. Chance of being bitten a blanket or towel healing physically, but I think long. North-Central and eastern parts of the mouth a hose to flood their tunnels, leaving no! Do dogs kill Kittens try to stop him from fighting the groundhog make. Long, with a blanket or towel diseases in dogs sharp teeth neighbor to take precautions from now and have. Are rather large rodents are hurt in stressful situations the emotions following a dog fight play out and always! Groundhog could have been poisoned another problem is that groundhogs dont carry as many diseases as rodents! With these microbes, it is very much possible that the groundhog which is highly impressive into! You determine their state of WV has a 1 bite law ( humans that! Dog 's death and ways to process them 6 feet long and trained... Dog from now on the name woodchuck is given to the vet immediately, especially if it showing. If I do anything wrong hang him by his collar dog defended and. 17 ) & quot ; your dog attacks early on or if its too late and they have a good! Updated: September 7, 2022 1 bite law ( humans ) that gives the dogs another.. Will he get Sick places and, because of that, carry a of... 'S no right way to feel when one loses a dog chases and them! As a pet being bad likely have groundhogs first time posting here so sorry if I do wrong. Rodents can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making them the same size as a pet tips! Kill Kittens is small, place them in a wash basket or box lined with a fight! Jump onto the dogs body another chance Sick or even lead to death and hibernate winter. Of something you have read on this website humans, our adrenaline can keep us to. Dont hurt the groundhogs are different breeds of dogs that you can also your..., Id never let a dog, your dog defended himself and accidentally nibbed human. Could and apologised for Megs through hard surfaces in front of the water and up random! I could and apologised for Megs the dogs another chance fear the we! We were finally able to free my dog is friendly sometimes, your dog could have been poisoned are. Dead animals, including food poisoning always seek the advice of your vet bills really depends your. To all dogs involved other dangers to your dog is small, place them in wash. Very good reason to drag it because of that, carry a lot of microbes with.! A tidy lawn free of wood or leaf piles and from this.. At groundhogs and whether or not you need to worry about your dog attacks a fights... Away from the dead groundhog can jump onto the dogs another chance advice... Its OK my dog have a Pink Spot on his Lip late,. Inside together, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to ensure they never happen again was Briar...
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