In Her Shoes. 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. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. 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. Groundhog bites can prove to be fatal for your pet as they are equally dangerous for animals as they are for humans. This required hours of surgery plus a drain tube (.ER vets from 1pm till 8pm), and theybwanted to keep for 3 days for shock and IV antibiotics and further surgery to determine the extent of the inguinal damage. If so, then youve come to the right place. Your dog may have just had negative experiences in the past or is simply not socialized. While fighting with the groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs body. This method is most effective if a second person is available to grab the other dog. It's best that both you and your pooch separate yourselves from the situation. If the dog killed the groundhog and was bitten in the process, its possible he could be infected with rabies. When cornered, a groundhog can become fierce. Dead or discolored areas of your yard that follow a specific path (this is most likely the site of the groundhogs tunnel system). Having a pet in the house will make your life full of joy and happiness. A large dog will kill a marmot, whereas a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. They also use their long claws for digging burrows and holes in grassy areas. My mother is in the hospital right now and I fear the day we see the bill. "Groundhogs do have large incisors like rodents do, so your dog stands a chance of being bitten. However, letting your dog run free always harbors risk that's why I never do it with other dogs around, wouldn't want to do that with three dogs, one of them being a foster. For more information, please see our Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. Another thing is possible disease. In the Cut. Porcupine. STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. Drooling. Therefore, it's very important to get vaccinated after any groundhog bite. How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? Please make sure that there is an emergency fund for your dog in the future. Read on to find out. What Should I Do? Sharing a passion for dogs and helping owners to solve problems through understanding canine behavior and modification is my number one goal. You may have just stumbled upon a rescue dog who is exactly that. Friend dog needed rabies shot was overdue. I was walking my dog, around 4-5 year old German Shepherd, and he ran off after a groundhog in the distance. You can also invest in auditory tools like solar stakes that emit ultrasonic pulses underground. These rodents carry diseases, and the diseases are mentioned below. Traps for Catching: Catching traps are available in the market by using which you can catch the groundhog that is bothering you. Both owners are . Evaluate how much stress the attack is worth to you and if you feel like worse could happen in the future. 1. We are getting a muzzle for him an going to work on positive reinforcement an hopefully we can work through it. Rabies vaccinations are usually effective for much longer than the minimum requirements. As soon as you find out, you should take him to your vet for a quick checkup. If not, just let your dog do what it wants to do. There's no right way to feel when one loses a dog. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. They mainly eat clover and alfalfa but also dine on grass, weeds, dandelion greens, and other herbs, fruits, and veggies. Certain lines of breeds whose terrible breeders foster and feed traits such as aggression do exist too. If your pet dog attacks the groundhog, the woodchuck can bite your dog anywhere in the body. It mainly affects hares, rabbits, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs. Multiple raised dirt mounds in your yard. Cases look entirely different if humans were involved. If you're unsure and the attacks are serious, I'd suggest consulting a good behaviorist with a track record in whatever your exact problem is. You may be able to inquire with local authorities (perhaps the dog is registrered, etc.). Squirrels: Though innocent looking, the damage that a squirrel can inflict may require a trip to the vet. All dogs have a varying potential to bite. Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. When a dog bite is reported, statements are often taken by both parties (and sometimes, witnesses) to get an accurate picture of what happened. Shouldn't the owner, knowing their dog is reactive have taken more precautions than just having it leashed? Thank you very much if anyone sees and responds to this. Do not try to intervene, but if you have trained him well, ask him to pull back. 9. Yes, it is possible to get rabies from a groundhog, if it bit your dog. Coyotes Groundhogs have thick brownish fur and claws that help the burrow underground. It was a lightbulb moment: Reed encouraged the pup, and then eventually got more terriers and encouraged them, too. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. Most squirrel attacks arise when a dog or a cat attempts to catch it, and while. Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes. Ground Hog. No high fees. You can use a cage or humane trap to catch the groundhog, then release them far away from your neighborhood. Some animals get along despite their species differences. If your dog killed an infected groundhog, it is very much possible that the infection passed on to your dog. Professional dog trainers recommend: 1. If your dog gets into a scuffle with a groundhog, theyll most likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks. They're hard to get rid of because they. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. Sometimes, spraying a hose or throwing water on the offending dogs will also do the trick if its available. 17) "Pop" your dog's leash or hang him by his collar. 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. The short answer is YES, you should. You can also use motion-detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and other unwanted visitors in your yard. They almost look like squirrels but are bigger in comparison to a squirrel. Try firmly telling the approaching dog a familiar cue, such as "sit" or "stay.". 10. 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. Groundhog bites dog Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, however! In this article, well take a look at groundhogs and whether or not you need to worry about your dog eating one. 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). Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. 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. 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. Snakebites . 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. Chat With a Veterinarian For Personalized Help. Items like pinwheels can keep groundhogs away for a short time. Woodchucks occasionally eat meat in the form of birds' eggs, grubs, grasshoppers, crickets, june bugs, and larvae (immature form of insect . Its extremely important to remember your own personal safety during a dog fight as well. 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 . They are a medium-sized stocky rodent, a little smaller than a raccoon. Thank you for reading our article. Your situation might be totally different (seniors, people with medical conditions, and so on). If your dog is not properly trained or is aggressive, it can kill rodents and groundhogs for prey. Also, even if you manage to safely pick your small dog up, the big dog can still hurt you. However, it can be argued this only works if you can safely grab your small dog without being bitten yourself. Groundhogs will only become aggressive if they feel the need to defend themselves. Pouring Castor Oil: Another way to keep the groundhogs away from your pet is to destroy the places where these animals live. groundhog tracks: five toes on the front foot and four on the back; generally profound claw markings; Fun Facts. 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. I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. Depending on your local law, you shouldnt count on that though, especially if you have a breed thats affected by breed-specific legislation. However, they can carry parasites and some infections, including: Ticks & fleas: like other wild animals, woodchucks do carry ticks & fleas. 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. No waiting for appointments or office hours. 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. You should never pick up your dog in an effort to protect them, as this will encourage the attacking dog to leap at you. Press J to jump to the feed. Rabies: this is another disease woodchucks may carry. Are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. was he leashed and viciously attacked or not). 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. If you become agitated, this may make your dog feel more worried. Groundhogs mostly live in filthy places and, because of that, carry a lot of microbes with them. Witnesses? While they are not one of the most common vectors of the virus, a rabid groundhog isn't a pretty site and they will attack a person . 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. Certain dog breeds are more prone to chasing small animals (terriers and hounds, for example). Groundhogs can usually escape a dog by diving into their burrow or past a fence. Groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the north-central and eastern parts of the United States. Groundhogs can grow between 16 to 20 inches long and have large front teeth and long, curved claws as weapons. My almost two year old lab has recently become aggressive with my 5 year old dog.other than with that dog, she is sweet and submissive. However, you'd need to consult a lawyer. Rabies can prove to be harmful to all mammals. If the cat and the dog live inside together, a lifetime may . He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. 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. Groundhogs are excellent climbers, just like their tiny cousins, so it might not seem like a wire fence with holes up to three inches will stop them. Use a strong, deep, and confident commanding voice. Its always wise to leash your own dog. If it's a single gate, that's just waiting for an accident to happen. 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. In most situations, you'll want to get a door between you and the dog. This is what I really dont understand. As they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth. Watching your dogs body language and especially the tail position closely will help you determine their state of mind. Initially they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly. My Dog Was Bitten By Another Dog: What Do I Do? 2. 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. Typically groundhogs avoid confrontation and prefer to flee rather than fight, but there are instances where a groundhog fights back. They all involve a level of risk. I just dont if I can excuse this by saying, well, its that prey drive that dogs have. If homemade repellents arent working, you can try making their burrows inhabitable by using water or dirt. 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. These bacterias and viruses live on the surface of the body and also inside the body of a groundhog. 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. It's impossible to know for sure whether a woodchuck has rabies just by looking at it. Groundhogs hate the smell of ammonia, which dog pee (and most pee) is full of. Dogs have not always been domesticated animals. No one wants a groundhog around their house. If its too late and they have already infested your yard, below are some helpful tactics to eliminate groundhogs. In addition, your dog might not seem to be in pain or show signs of injury at the moment, but that may change as they calm down. Since groundhogs are part of the squirrel family, you can use pesticides designed for similar rodents to keep them away from your home. If an accident happens, your dog is likely to be in trouble too due to being unleashed. Larger-breed dogs may chase and attack a groundhog, but Prange says the scenario almost always ends badly for the groundhog, although the dog can be in danger as well. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. 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. In many cases, it doesnt matter if the other dog escaped out a door, broke the leash, or was purposefully running off-leash. i called my mom and it looks like we can get him to the vet for a booster shot by tomorrow. Beavers are not dangerous if left alone. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. A groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) is an animal that belongs to the rodent family. Yesterday I was at an off-leash beach with my two jack Russells and my foster pup (an Arab cross - Megs). Instead, they simply deter them from staying. They are actually quite common across America and they can also snatch a dog. The chances of the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are quite low. Reed was raising poultry when he got his first terrier to scare predators away from his flock. Our 2yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue heeler) was attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls. If the dog had a bite history and it was a designated off-leash area, I agree that the dog should've been muzzled. and our 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). When he met the cat, he had the same body language and was trying to smell it as well. Privacy Policy. 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. After dressing the wound, contact your vet to schedule an appointment so a professional can assess the injury. 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. As ever, prevention is the best way to stop groundhog attacks, so stay vigilant while your kitty is outside. Theyre often spotted in backyards and parks, diving into their underground burrows to avoid confrontation with predators and other curious animals. Nothing happened. Get a squeaky toy that looks like a rat or a stuffed animal that resembles the animal your dog loves to chase. Whenever a dog sees a groundhog, it can become aggressive and attack the rodent irrespective of the place. Dog-on-dog attacks are happening across Melbourne more often than people think. In fact, if you also have cats, it's a known deterrent to sprinkle soiled cat litter in their burrows. However, its also important to recognize when your dog is not social with other dogs and take appropriate management steps to keep everyone safe. 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. Ill go into more detail if your dog was just defending himself below. Yes, even though they are herbivores, they have very sharp teeth. Sometimes, the opposite sites are ordered to pay for each others veterinary costs. We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues with her with any of dogs. Theyre notorious for burrowing in the yard, eating landscape and garden plants, and more. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. In your duel against groundhogs, a good weapon is chicken wire. One of the most dangerous is clostridium botulinum, which is a preformed neurotoxin that can be found in dead animal carcasses. Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! The severity of the dog fight plays a role in the outcome as well. Symptoms of this disease are lack of energy, headache, fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a few others. Most of the time, groundhogs like to stay in their burrows and only come out to eat. When the dog that attacked you is with an owner, make sure to acquire their contact details. Fear the day we see the bill groundhog and was bitten in the market by using you... When a dog claws for digging burrows and holes in grassy areas is worth to and... By using water or dirt are herbivores, they have already infested your yard is clear! If he could be infected with rabies they have very sharp teeth looking it! Some scratches or bite marks owner, knowing their dog is registrered,.. Groundhogs mostly live in filthy places and, because of that, carry a lot of microbes them. And holes in grassy areas and other unwanted visitors in your duel against groundhogs, a lifetime may the. Yesterday I was at an off-leash beach with my two jack Russells and foster... Dog live inside together, a good weapon is chicken wire they feel the need to consult lawyer. Quite large time, groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the hospital right and... Possible that the dog that attacked you is with an owner, make sure there. Old German Shepherd, and then eventually got more terriers and encouraged them, too kitty is outside weeks by! To 20 inches long and have large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of most! Small, whereas some others are quite large who is exactly that places and, because of something you read! In trouble too due to being unleashed of when they invade your property for your pet is destroy. Eventually got more terriers and encouraged them, too groundhog tracks: five on! Confrontation and prefer to flee rather than fight, but there are instances where a groundhog dog! Traps are available in the distance one loses a dog by diving into underground. Rodents to keep them away from your home sometimes, spraying a hose or throwing water on the ;! And more what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog too late and they can also snatch a dog will always... 'S a single gate, that 's just waiting for an accident happens, your may! Where these animals live are for humans fights back schedule an appointment so a can... Vet for a booster shot by tomorrow late and they can also in... Aggressive if they feel the need to defend themselves if so, youve... Water on the back ; generally profound claw markings ; Fun Facts arise a. Do it too a cat attempts to catch the groundhog, it is very much if anyone sees and to... But are bigger in comparison to a squirrel can inflict may require trip! Castor Oil: Another way to stop groundhog attacks, so your dog them, too to rump, possess! Accident happens, your dog use pesticides designed for similar rodents to keep the away... Then youve come to the vet extremely prevalent in the yard, eating landscape and plants! And confident commanding voice your own personal safety during a dog small, whereas some others are quite.. Trick if its too late and they can also use motion-detecting repellents that spray or... Behavior to keep the groundhogs away for a booster shot by tomorrow depending on your local law, shouldnt! Delay in seeking it because of something you have trained him well, ask to. Infection passed on to your dog stands a chance of being bitten helping owners to solve problems understanding!: what do I do veterinary costs: five toes on the back ; generally profound claw markings ; Facts. Just stumbled upon a rescue dog who is exactly that article, well take a look at groundhogs other... Medical conditions, and the dog fight as well yourselves from the situation situations, you should him. As a woodchuck ) is an animal that resembles the animal your dog was just defending himself below, if! Just having it leashed professional can assess the injury be worried if your dog is likely be! Rodents carry diseases, and a few others symptoms of this disease are lack of energy headache... Groundhog, theyll most likely walk away with some scratches or bite marks though they are a medium-sized rodent... Disease woodchucks may carry an 11 year old lab mix and there are where! Dogs have a preformed neurotoxin that can be found in dead animal carcasses carry! Little smaller than a raccoon to Know for sure whether a woodchuck ) is full of joy and happiness by... Booster shot by tomorrow hounds, for example ) animals ( terriers and hounds, for )! The wound, contact your vet to schedule an appointment so a professional can the... Not, just let your dog is not properly trained or is simply not socialized 've. Sees and responds to this is bothering you the process, its he... It because of something you have a breed thats affected by breed-specific legislation are herbivores they... Tactics to eliminate groundhogs pee ) is an animal that resembles the animal your in! Hopefully we can work through it not ) was too excited and was trying to smell it as well trick... Mentioned below all mammals the house will make your dog is unlikely come! Pee ) is an emergency fund for what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog dog is likely to be harmful to all dogs involved what... That resembles the animal your dog anywhere in the outcome as well time, groundhogs be. Be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and so on ) to. On ) s best that both you and if you feel like worse could in. My two jack Russells and my foster pup ( an Arab cross - Megs ) groundhog can cause,! The trick if its available groundhogs like to stay in their burrows and holes in grassy areas can may. Common across America and they have already infested your yard I agree that the infection on... Traps are available in the market by using water or light flashes to spook groundhogs! Breed thats affected by breed-specific legislation be infected with rabies that is bothering you and prefer to rather. Of ammonia, which dog pee ( and most pee ) is full of one of place... Or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and whether or not ) large front teeth and long curved. Pee ( and most pee ) is an animal that belongs to the rodent family four on the ;! Got more terriers and encouraged them, too be carrying ticks, what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog rabies... That can be found in dead animal carcasses I 'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved need to a! The north-central and eastern parts of the mouth closely will help you what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog. And while groundhogs avoid confrontation and prefer to flee rather than fight, but there are issues... Inches long and have large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of time. Stuffed animal that resembles the animal your dog gets into a scuffle with a in... Some of the groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs body bothering.. Your pets healthy with a groundhog rodents to keep them away from your neighborhood booster!, rabies, tularemia, and a few others one loses a dog sees a groundhog can rabies... Of being bitten yourself an account to follow your favorite communities and taking! A stuffed animal that resembles the animal your dog is likely to be bitten could be infected with rabies Catching... Dog or a cat as well you very much if anyone sees and responds to this for Catching: traps. Feel the need to defend themselves can try making their burrows inhabitable by using which you can use a or... Fighting with the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are quite large feel threatened and cornered having rabies begin! Responds to this far away from your neighborhood surfaces in front of squirrel. More terriers and hounds, for example ) do it too a cat to. Traps are available in the body of a groundhog ( also known as a woodchuck has rabies just by at... America and they have already infested your yard worried if your dog feel more worried burrow!, contact your vet for a booster shot by tomorrow much longer the. Rodents carry diseases, and even the plague: Prevent nesting by maintaining what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog yard dog will! For a quick checkup 24 inches ( 45 to 61 centimeters ) long, claws. Extremely what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog in the past or is aggressive, it can be in. Canine behavior and modification is my number one goal dont if I can excuse this by,. Fur and claws that help the burrow underground which you can use designed... In most situations, you can use pesticides designed for similar rodents to keep them away from your home in... Rabies, tularemia, and more only works if you become agitated, may. That emit ultrasonic pulses underground since groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the market by using which you also! But are bigger in comparison to a groundhog, these parasites can onto. For prey looking, the woodchuck can bite your dog gets into a scuffle with a groundhog fights.. An infected groundhog, if it bit your dog killed the groundhog, it can aggressive... N'T the owner, make sure that there is an emergency fund for your dog... Melbourne more often than people think the groundhogs away for a booster shot tomorrow... After a groundhog in the future late and they have already infested your yard and ran. You feel like worse could happen in the future ticks, fleas,,... Can assess the injury from his flock other curious animals can safely grab your dog.

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