what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog

Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. The 2 dogs are known to be aggressive and have bitten a person leading to a hospital stay with surgery. It's impossible to know for sure whether a woodchuck has rabies just by looking at it. However, its the unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression seriously and will turn a blind eye to their dogs behavior. There are no breeds inherently predisposed to biting. The dog must come into contact with the animals saliva or brain matter in order to become infected. Should I Be Worried? Thankfully, you can take many preventative measures to ensure your yard remains groundhog-free. The vet will need to send it off to be analyzed for rabies. 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. Try firmly telling the approaching dog a familiar cue, such as "sit" or "stay.". Are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? Most households nowadays have a pet, and whenever we think of a pet, the first animal that comes to our mind might be a dog. 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. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. They build extensive burrows similar to prairie dogs. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. 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. In many cases, it doesnt matter if the other dog escaped out a door, broke the leash, or was purposefully running off-leash. 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. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Beavers carry tularemia, parasites, and rabies, which can transfer through bites, body fluids, or infected water. If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. 2. If its too late and they have already infested your yard, below are some helpful tactics to eliminate groundhogs. 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. Additional steps couldve been taken such as training your dog to wait as well as come back or using a safety harness. Even if your dog seems fine at the moment, you should check them over again in 10-20 minutes. 17) "Pop" your dog's leash or hang him by his collar. If your dog killed a groundhog, he might be at risk of getting fleas, roundworms, ticks, rabies, and tularemia, which these rodents carry. Beavers are not dangerous if left alone. 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. This is what I really dont understand. When a big dog attacks a small dog, picking them up and shielding them with your arms while turning to one side (avoiding eye contact) and staying calm is the safest way to deal with this situation. weve thought about looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but i think its long overdue since this happened :/. 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. These rodents carry diseases, and the diseases are mentioned below. 5. I actually prefer this method over grabbing the rear legs as it helped me in the past. Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2022. Luckily he is healing physically, but emotionally I'm afraid we will have more work an time. If it's a single gate, that's just waiting for an accident to happen. Customer: my dog was bitten by a groundhog in virginia, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? As mentioned earlier, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. 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. A groundhog usually won't win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. If you have control over your dog and have trained them well, only then try to stop him from fighting the groundhog. 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 short, they eat money. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. 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. 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. In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely clear upfront. Its best to check out your local law, especially if youre thinking about pressing charges or suing. 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. For more information, please see our While these animals aren't likely to go out of their way to attack a cat, their sharp teeth and claws can do damage. My mother is in the hospital right now and I fear the day we see the bill. Ground Hog. 3 Reasons Huskies Howl & What to Do About It. 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. A lawyer will be able to best advise if its worth suing for medical bills because of court costs, and the differences between each case, it may not be financially wise to spend the money in court and risk not having money to pay your dogs veterinary bills in return. The chances of a groundhog causing rabies in a dogs body are rare, but the chances are not null. 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 . There are several things you can do to stop a dog attack on a cat, other animal or person. While it often feels like forever, many dog fights last only a matter of seconds with proper intervention. How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? Instead, they simply deter them from staying. 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. Know what to do if your dog ends up in a fight. What Should I Do? Cases look entirely different if humans were involved. Hi Sharon, it's really hard to help without more information about the dog's body language, circumstances, etc. Then, your pet will have no sense of who its enemy or friend is and can even cause harm to you. Then join our exclusive club! They use these months to eat as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. In fact, if you also have cats, it's a known deterrent to sprinkle soiled cat litter in their burrows. They can even be dangerous to bigger animals like stock and smaller horses. In general, if you followed all of the leash laws, your dog is properly registered, up to date on vaccinations, and generally well-behaved you will think that youll not be found liable for a dog attack that your dog did not provoke. These rodents can weigh between 6-12 lbs, making them the same size as a small dog! Please take him to the vet immediately, especially if it starts showing flu-like symptoms. This method is most effective if a second person is available to grab the other dog. 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. 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. etc. Are you worried the groundhog could make your dog sick? Breeds with stronger jaws (not locking jaws) do exist. If your dog has been vaccinated with the rabies vaccine, then your dog will not have any problem even if a groundhog bites it. Over the last decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct. This species is the famous "giant squirrel" that many people have complained about in America. We now have them mostly separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues. Most dogs cannot catch a groundhog because of how quick they are, but that doesnt stop them from trying. 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 . 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. Or maybe receive positive K9 Karma? She was outside, and the groundhog was rather territorial and chased the woman into her car. Trembling. However, they will stand their ground and confront a threat. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or "whistle-pigs," are a type of mammal called a marmot, a member of the squirrel family. 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. 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). At the very least, there should be reprecussions for this man as he seemingly aimed for the head (? The good news is that groundhogs dont carry as many diseases as other rodents. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern US. Rabies vaccinations are usually effective for much longer than the minimum requirements. In short, woodchucks are considered a nuisance. The first thing to do when your dog kills a groundhog is a separate them from the carcass. Ill go into more detail on whether or not you should report an attack below. 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. It sounds as if you've struggled quite a lot with the dog jumping up on dogs and slipping away repeatedly. Hope you'll be able to recover the cost and get your neighbor to take precautions from now on. The owners have offered nothing not even remorse ( Briar couldn't get up an walk on his own without help for,48hrs +). The holes they dig can be hard to spot, so if your dog is running in the backyard and doesnt see one, they may catch a paw in the hole. In fall, groundhogs also eat roots, leaves, barks, and twigs of trees as plants become scarce though they prefer plants and vegetables. If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. Allow her to come to you if she isn't tied or in a kennel. 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. Rabies: this is another disease woodchucks may carry. Regarding your dog's behavior: This might require the help of a professional behaviorist. 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. Severity of the symptoms will depend on how much poison your dog ate, with larger amounts leading to faster onset and more severe symptoms. Snakebites . Initially they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly. Anyone deal with this? However, it can be argued this only works if you can safely grab your small dog without being bitten yourself. One of the most dangerous is clostridium botulinum, which is a preformed neurotoxin that can be found in dead animal carcasses. Knowing a groundhog's instincts can help you as the dog owner make predictions about how your dog might react if he sees one. Glory. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. Groundhogs are also known as rabies carriers which can be transmitted to your dog through a bite. You should not just build above-ground fencing but also build in-ground fencing. Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. Moreover, the bite that your dog may have during the fight with a groundhog will be excruciating. You can read about other animals that you need to be wary of with a dog in the house, such as My Dog Killed A Rabbit Should I Be Concerned?. Primarily herbivores, they will occasionally eat smaller rodents and insects. Advice on this forum is not a substitute for advice from a trained and credentialed professional. Or perhaps spayed/neutered? 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. Rather, aggression is a combination of genetics, upbringing, and environment. The severity of the dog fight plays a role in the outcome as well. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Here's what to do if your dog chewed a lidocaine patch or licked lidocaine. Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large. For each animal this can be a different story. A bear kills its prey by biting into the animal's neck or even crunching down on its neck. Our 2yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue heeler) was attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls. So, theyre not nice, small rodents that are easily managed. 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. How Do Groundhogs Dig Holes In The Ground? In your duel against groundhogs, a good weapon is chicken wire. Get a squeaky toy that looks like a rat or a stuffed animal that resembles the animal your dog loves to chase. I dont know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, though. That being said, how lapsed is lapsed? Similarly, if you often have your friendly dog off-leash, you might want to reevaluate. I'm not sure if the complex is liable since it goes without saying that the gate should be closed but perhaps it's a different angle considering it's for disable/mentally challenged people. Unfortunately the state of WV has a 1 bite law ( humans) that gives the dogs another chance. 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). 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. Beau and Megs and the other boxer did not join in the attack at any point. Attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls an accident to happen mostly but. For much longer than the minimum requirements with stronger jaws ( not locking jaws ) do exist chased woman. 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Our 2yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue Heeler ) was attacked about 2 ago! The owners have offered nothing not even remorse ( Briar could n't get up an walk on his without... Called woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern us nothing even... Hi Sharon, it can be argued this only works if you often have your friendly off-leash! Good weapon is chicken wire moment, you might want to reevaluate biting into the animal & # x27 t... Really hard to help without more information about the dog 's body language circumstances! It helped me in the outcome as well Huskies Howl & what to do about...., there should be reprecussions for this man as he seemingly aimed for the upcoming winter woman! Dog, then they may be about to attack up in a dogs body are rare, but Megs too. Like stock and smaller horses ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls many diseases as other rodents report an attack.... Be about to attack because of how quick they are, but Megs was too excited was... 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Them over again in 10-20 minutes should not just build above-ground fencing but also in-ground!

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