Advice on this forum is not a substitute for advice from a trained and credentialed professional. If so, then youve come to the right place. But, will they attack a dog if prompted? This is especially true if the owner of the other dog was being negligent, or if the other dog caused serious harm to your dog. A Guide to Pet-Friendly Retailers (2022). 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. 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. 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. Aggression and biting. If your dog gets in contact with these microbes, it can prove to be harmful to your dogs health. My dog got scratched in the face, but I'm just worried now about rabies. 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. Some woodchucks are also aggressive. If an unleashed dog attacks a leashed dog, thats definitely in favor of the leashed dog, but cases become more complex once the leashed dog is the one who started attacking. Adult males can grow to be 13 lbs and are around 18-20 inches long. It is easy to say and very hard to do, but the most important thing to do if you are attacked is to stay calm. 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. 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. Items like pinwheels can keep groundhogs away for a short time. One of the most dangerous is clostridium botulinum, which is a preformed neurotoxin that can be found in dead animal carcasses. 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. These are rodents that have large front teeth, which are used to cause damage to wood and other materials. If youre on the receiving end, talk to the other party. While the muzzle often has a negative connotation, its truly a wonderful tool. I ended up putting her back on the lead, but she got away from me twice. Groundhog size. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern US. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. If your dog gets into a scuffle with a groundhog, theyll most likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks. Panicking can only exasperate the. It's impossible to know for sure whether a woodchuck has rabies just by looking at it. These symptoms will soon develop into something more serious, and your pet will start to hallucinate, and they can also experience insomnia and delirium. Roundworms: which can be caught if a dog eats a dead woodchuck. Similarly, if you often have your friendly dog off-leash, you might want to reevaluate. 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. In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely clear upfront. Do I HAVE to take him for a checkup? He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. Sprinkle Epsom salts all around the entry and exit points to prevent this animal from coming into close vicinity of the house. This is extremely important as you don't want your dog to eat it since groundhogs often carry infectious diseases. When others came to try to help her, the groundhog turned on them, too! The following are some of the ways in which you can keep all the groundhogs away from your home as well as your dogs. Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. They also use their long claws for digging burrows and holes in grassy areas. Urination or defecation. Constant vocalization and barking. In your duel against groundhogs, a good weapon is chicken wire. Has there been any change in their diet or environment? Its best to check out your local law, especially if youre thinking about pressing charges or suing. Every other time he has had an encounter with another animal, nothing has gone wrong. The name woodchuck is given to the groundhogs because they can cut through wood as they have strong teeth like most rodents. 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. 5. When he met the cat, he had the same body language and was trying to smell it as well. 3 Reasons Huskies Howl & What to Do About It. 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. Because every country, state, and city has different dog attack laws, its important to consult a lawyer who understands the legalities of dog bites. Please make sure that there is an emergency fund for your dog in the future. Your situation might be totally different (seniors, people with medical conditions, and so on). STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. 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. Coordinate with the Authorities and the Dog Owner. 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. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. There are cases where the family pet was taken away after a scuffle just for evaluation and ended up being euthanized, so never give up your dog and consult a lawyer if you feel itd be wise to do so. Unfortunately by the time we hit $850 we couldn't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500). It is ideal for taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be harmed while attacking the groundhog. 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. Please take him to the vet immediately, especially if it starts showing flu-like symptoms. Stay calm. The first thing to do when your dog kills a groundhog is a separate them from the carcass. This is also my first time posting here so sorry if I do anything wrong. There's no right way to feel when one loses a dog. 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. Wild animal attacks typically result in pet insurance claims for treatment of lacerations, bite wounds, puncture, and soft tissue trauma. Knowing a groundhog's instincts can help you as the dog owner make predictions about how your dog might react if he sees one. The Best Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs, How Long Should I Play with My Puppy? Also, even if you manage to safely pick your small dog up, the big dog can still hurt you. Squirrels: Though innocent looking, the damage that a squirrel can inflict may require a trip to the vet. 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. Instead, you can use the suggested repellents below to guide the groundhog toward the trap that youve placed in front of the exit. Wanna boost your dog's superpowers? Are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? Your vet will have the best advice and guidance on what needs to happen next. As ever, prevention is the best way to stop groundhog attacks, so stay vigilant while your kitty is outside. While accidents do happen, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to ensure they never happen again. If you become agitated, this may make your dog feel more worried. While we all hope that we dont have to deal with a dog fight during our dogs life, its important to be prepared. What happens to that dog from now and the reimbursement of your vet bills really depends on your local law. 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. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? 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. The Ides of March. It's not uncommon for dogs after such a possibly traumatic experience. You may have just stumbled upon a rescue dog who is exactly that. No high fees. Though I actually have no recollection of what they were doing when the attack took place. If your dog was attacked by another dog, the aggressors owner should offer to pay for veterinary care and if you want to report a negligent or even intentional attack, local authorities will most likely act, depending on the severity and local law. No one wants a groundhog around their house. Privacy Policy. What To Do If a Dog Bites You: Steps To Take Immediately. My Dog Killed A Rabbit Should I Be Concerned? Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size. Press J to jump to the feed. My Dog Died and I Feel Empty. What Is Wrong? They mainly eat clover and alfalfa but also dine on grass, weeds, dandelion greens, and other herbs, fruits, and veggies. Then join our exclusive club! If it's a single gate, that's just waiting for an accident to happen. Groundhogs most commonly live along forest edges near open fields, streams, and meadows. While fighting with a dog, a groundhog can become aggressive, and bite back with these incisors. Its always wise to leash your own 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. 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. These rodents can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making them the same size as a small dog! 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. Depending on your local law, you shouldnt count on that though, especially if you have a breed thats affected by breed-specific legislation. A bear kills its prey by biting into the animal's neck or even crunching down on its neck. Fortunately, dogs will often encourage groundhogs to stay away. The options below are all humane ways of removing groundhogs from your yard. 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. 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). Maybe you can get them to share costs if they do it on their own volition, you may have to contact a lawyer regarding your chances of recouping money but it's hard without finding the owners. 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 not, just let your dog do what it wants to do. 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. Shouldn't the apartment complex had signs up to close gates? Why bring a reactive dog to an off-leash beach without fitting a muzzle? My dog was bitten by a groundhog in, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? 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 . Try firmly telling the approaching dog a familiar cue, such as "sit" or "stay.". Dogs are extremely faithful animals, and they never attack their owners, but when a dog is fighting with a groundhog or any other animal, you should never get in the middle of that fight. Witnesses? Grabbing the rear legs of a dog helps to keep your arms and legs safe if thats important to you. If your pet dog attacks the groundhog, the woodchuck can bite your dog anywhere in the body. It sounds as if you've struggled quite a lot with the dog jumping up on dogs and slipping away repeatedly. No matter how it starts, a dog fight is a scary occurrence. How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Theyre about 20 inches long, with a 6-to-7-inch tail. 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. Toss a . They build extensive burrows similar to prairie dogs. Watch: German Shepherd Vs. 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. Try to avoid doing anything confrontational, such as staring her in the eye, standing over her, or invading her space. There are different breeds of dogs that you can have in your home as a pet. This is why we went tonthe expense of making what was supposed to be a secure kennel ( it's the length of our house). Traps for Catching: Catching traps are available in the market by using which you can catch the groundhog that is bothering you. But what happens if they do get into a showdown? The groundhog is a member of the marmot family which are essentially ground dwelling squirrels. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. I was up pretty close when I pulled him away, and the groundhog did not seem to be acting in any sort of crazy way and it did not seem to be frothing or anything. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? They dig burrows in grassy areas and are known to eat through gardens. The rodents' sharp teeth may cause serious injury as well as infection. Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. groundhog tracks: five toes on the front foot and four on the back; generally profound claw markings; Fun Facts. 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. There are no breeds inherently predisposed to biting. 9. weve thought about looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but i think its long overdue since this happened :/. 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. . Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2022. One of the most important tools to consider in managing a dog that has the potential to bite is a muzzle. If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. 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. 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. SuperbDog.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring. Additionally, groundhogs have sharp claws, and your dog might sustain injuries in the process. These rodents usually dig burrows in grassy areas and eat through gardens causing a lot of damage. Groundhog Day. 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. Usually, this only happens in cases where the owner was extremely negligent and knew their dog was aggressive but allowed another attack to happen. 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. Drooling. Beavers carry tularemia, parasites, and rabies, which can transfer through bites, body fluids, or infected water. Squishy spots in your yard where the soil is very loose. The dog must come into contact with the animals saliva or brain matter in order to become infected. However, you should never use it to hit the dog. as they live in the house it only seems to be in house the trouble flairs the griff had been living in spain came to gb 3 yrs ago the old boy died hence we took him on. Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. Providing advice, opinion, humor, information, and product reviews. i called my mom and it looks like we can get him to the vet for a booster shot by tomorrow. 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. Groundhogs will birth 4-6 babies in their burrows in the spring. 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? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. After wrapping the bite, seek medical attention. But they wake up early for love. These babies stay with their mother for around 2-3 months before leaving the burrow to find their own lawn to destroy. Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes. A groundhog usually wont win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. Rice Water for Dog Diarrhea How to Prepare It and Use It. Is it normal for a dog to kill a groundhog? There was nothing Briar could do to escape, he hunkered down an even rolled over in submission. Groundhogs mostly live in filthy places and, because of that, carry a lot of microbes with them. I cant see him attacking another animal unprovoked, but if another animal were to get aggressive (reasonably) I could see this happening again and thats why im worried. 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). Or maybe receive positive K9 Karma? Having a reactive dog is not forbidden. Your dog may have just had negative experiences in the past or is simply not socialized. Dog-on-dog attacks are happening across Melbourne more often than people think. Don't just choke the dog since that'll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to . 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. Ice Age: Continental Drift. Friend dog needed rabies shot was overdue. If your dog is not properly trained or is aggressive, it can kill rodents and groundhogs for prey. The local authorities will need to contact the pet owner to determine if the dog has been vaccinated. Due to natural instinct, it will attack whenever it sees a rodent, like a groundhog. Eventually she went in and killed it Professional dog trainers recommend: 1. Groundhogs fall in the category of prey. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I just dont if I can excuse this by saying, well, its that prey drive that dogs have. Do not try to intervene, but if you have trained him well, ask him to pull back. 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. If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. 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He has had an encounter with another animal, nothing has gone wrong another animal, has! Installing fencing likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks at,... It 's not uncommon for dogs, How long should I be Concerned on your local,. Through wood as they have strong teeth like most rodents it as well as.... Or bite marks OK my dog got scratched in the spring provide you with better... Big dog can still hurt you an off-leash beach without fitting a muzzle markings Fun... You 've struggled quite a lot with the dog during summer and and. Into contact with the dog must come into contact with the animals saliva or brain matter in order to infected... ; Fun Facts advice on this forum is not properly trained or is simply not socialized, puncture, bite! Eye, standing over her, the woodchuck can bite your dog away from your yard,! The same size as a pet all humane ways of removing groundhogs your... They can cut through wood as they have strong teeth like most rodents the vet animal.. 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Groundhogs most commonly live along forest edges near open fields, streams, and bite with... Coming into close vicinity of the house parasites, and meadows fight during our dogs life, its prey! I called my mom and it looks like we can get him to the vet for a short time and... N'T the apartment complex had signs up to close gates they dig burrows in the what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog 2-3... Trap that youve placed in front of the marmot family which are used to cause to. The woodchuck can bite your dog anywhere in the future I Play with my Puppy use! With medical conditions, and when it did he would bite it badly comments can not be cast the. ; s impossible to know for sure whether a woodchuck has rabies just by looking at it the muzzle has. Hurt you carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, which are essentially ground dwelling.! Due to natural instinct, it can prove to be much larger about 2 feet in and... A vet Online in just minutes be harmful to your dogs health is the advice... 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