His tongue was bleeding, and he was definitely in contact with some of the groundhogs blood unfortunately. In case an off-leash dog attacked your dog, you should break up the fight as quickly as possible and evaluate whether or not the dog should have been supposed to be leashed in that area, and then take it from there. My Dog Killed A Rabbit Should I Be Concerned? Your dog may have just had negative experiences in the past or is simply not socialized. The mauling of a dachshund by a Staffordshire terrier in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines. When cornered, a groundhog can become fierce. Pouring Castor Oil: Another way to keep the groundhogs away from your pet is to destroy the places where these animals live. Document the dog's character and the location of the attack if the owner can't be found. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. Groundhogs are smaller in size compared to dogs. In your duel against groundhogs, a good weapon is chicken wire. Separate Your Dog From The Carcass. Sometimes a dog can be put down after a dog fight, depending on local law and the nature of the attack (injuries, viciousness, human-directed aggression), and sadly it depends on the breed and the owners means to fight in court. Hi Sharon, it's really hard to help without more information about the dog's body language, circumstances, etc. 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. Thankfully, you can take many preventative measures to ensure your yard remains groundhog-free. Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large. If you do get bit, wash the wound with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention. Its extremely important to remember your own personal safety during a dog fight as well. I just dont if I can excuse this by saying, well, its that prey drive that dogs have. This is what I really dont understand. No need to worry about your furry family member. Witnesses? Try firmly telling the approaching dog a familiar cue, such as "sit" or "stay.". 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. If your dog killed a groundhog, he might be at risk of getting fleas, roundworms, ticks, rabies, and tularemia, which these rodents carry. Then, your pet will have no sense of who its enemy or friend is and can even cause harm to you. 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. Since groundhogs are part of the squirrel family, you can use pesticides designed for similar rodents to keep them away from your home. These bacterias and viruses live on the surface of the body and also inside the body of a groundhog. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? Dachshunds were bred to go down the burrow of badgers. Coordinate with the Authorities and the Dog Owner. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to groundhog removal. Theyre about 20 inches long, with a 6-to-7-inch tail. A groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) is an animal that belongs to the rodent family. Groundhog bites can prove to be fatal for your pet as they are equally dangerous for animals as they are for humans. In many cases, it doesnt matter if the other dog escaped out a door, broke the leash, or was purposefully running off-leash. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues with her with any of dogs. Not only is it a feat to break up the fight, but you might leave the battlefield scarred, perhaps even caused by your own dogs fangs. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. Should I Be Worried? Can Dogs Be Retarded or Mentally Challenged? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'thepupcrawl_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-medrectangle-3-0'); For the first few weeks, you have to monitor every single movement of your dog. Not only is it important for your own dog, so that they never have to suffer the trauma of an attack by that dog again, but its important to keep other dogs and their owners safe as well. These rodents carry diseases, and the diseases are mentioned below. Then join our exclusive club! I would not give any guarentees what a Chihuahua would do. Ask a Vet Live Now My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? 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. This can occur in both humans and animals. This is extremely important as you don't want your dog to eat it since groundhogs often carry infectious diseases. Avoid kicking the attacking dog or grabbing any dog by the collar or scruff as the inflicted pain often escalates the situation, pushing the dogs to bite even harder. It depends on a lot of factors that make prediction hard. 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. You don't have to confuse the names marmots and groundhogs because to all intents and purposes groundhogs are marmots. If so, then youve come to the right place. STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. 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. This is why we went tonthe expense of making what was supposed to be a secure kennel ( it's the length of our house). Over the last decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct. They mainly eat clover and alfalfa but also dine on grass, weeds, dandelion greens, and other herbs, fruits, and veggies. I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. However, this can be tricky as their tunnel systems are elaborate, and placing a trap at every exit might not be plausible. These rodents usually dig burrows in grassy areas and eat through gardens causing a lot of damage. 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. They also use their long claws for digging burrows and holes in grassy areas. They use these months to eat as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. Train Her Using a Stuffed Animal. Beau and Megs and the other boxer did not join in the attack at any point. While thats true most of the time, it can definitely backfire. weve thought about looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but i think its long overdue since this happened :/. Stay calm and assertive, call for help and give clear instructions if possible 2. Groundhogs can usually escape a dog by diving into their burrow or past a fence. If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. Traps for Catching: Catching traps are available in the market by using which you can catch the groundhog that is bothering you. If your dog is not properly trained or is aggressive, it can kill rodents and groundhogs for prey. Theyre most often found across the central and eastern United States, living as far north as Canada and Alaska. Similarly, if you often have your friendly dog off-leash, you might want to reevaluate. Groundhogs do not typically chase after and attack dogs. Tularemia: Although rare, tularemia ( also known as deer fly fever or rabbit fever) affects the eyes, skin, lungs, and lymph nodes. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. Groundhogs can and do contract rabies and it is a concern. Groundhog bites can be deep enough to require stitches, and groundhogs often carry the rabies virus, so your dog will need a vaccination to prevent the spread. 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. Are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? Rat. Dog fights are always heart-breaking to watch but these situations can happen and its important to stay level-headed and do our companions justice by resolving them quickly. 10. 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. This occurs in many cases where an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog is being bad. 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. It mainly affects hares, rabbits, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs. How did your dog behave? If your dog gets into a scuffle with a groundhog, theyll most likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks. By Julie Updated: 03/29/21 3 min read Health Digestive System Here's what to do if your dog chewed a lidocaine patch or licked lidocaine. How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? Yes, it is possible to get rabies from a groundhog, if it bit your dog. Advice on this forum is not a substitute for advice from a trained and credentialed professional. Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. Its best to check out your local law, especially if youre thinking about pressing charges or suing. My Dog Chewed a Lidocaine Patch. The Best Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs, How Long Should I Play with My Puppy? But if a dog chases and catches them, they will attack with all their might, which is highly impressive. 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). Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Its also possible for dogs to pick up other diseases from eating dead animals, including food poisoning. They can also cause serious structural damage through burrowing. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? Expert's Assistant chat. If so, your dog could have ingested the poison, which could make him very sick or even lead to death. Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Eventually she went in and killed it What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bit by Groundhog? Breeds with stronger jaws (not locking jaws) do exist. This disease is spread through the saliva of an animal. However, you'd need to consult a lawyer. Release the Leash Many times when dogs are being attacked by other dogs, the leash helps to keep the other dog which is being attacked in a useless position. Regardless of your dogs size, a groundhog can do some severe damage if they decide to fight back. Reed was raising poultry when he got his first terrier to scare predators away from his flock. The options below are all humane ways of removing groundhogs from your yard. Please take him to the vet immediately, especially if it starts showing flu-like symptoms. Therefore, it's very important to get vaccinated after any groundhog bite. Groundhogs hate the smell of ammonia, which dog pee (and most pee) is full of. A police report was filed. Or maybe receive positive K9 Karma? 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