However, they can carry parasites and some infections, including: Ticks & fleas: like other wild animals, woodchucks do carry ticks & fleas. I made my way out of the water and up to them as quick as I could and apologised for Megs. He has now been snappy towards our 1 yr old Texas heeler an our cats. Continue to avoid making eye contact. They almost look like squirrels but are bigger in comparison to a squirrel. However, they will most likely be able to dig it out again. 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. Groundhogs have thick brownish fur and claws that help the burrow underground. Groundhog size. A Guide to Pet-Friendly Retailers (2022). Moreover, if a groundhog bites your dog, this fatal disease can also be transmitted from the groundhogs body as these rodents are known as the carriers of rabies. Punctures dont usually start bleeding right away, and you may notice them after theyve had some time to form. Use a strong, deep, and confident commanding voice. Most dogs cannot catch a groundhog because of how quick they are, but that doesnt stop them from trying. What if your dog defended himself and accidentally nibbed a human? He attacked a groundhog, groundhog is still breathing, so we called animal control, but they didn't get back to us yet. . One of the most important tools to consider in managing a dog that has the potential to bite is a muzzle. You can use shrubs and trees to prevent early nesters from moving in. Groundhogs are skilled climbers and swimmers, which helps them to escape less-skilled predators. Coyotes Cougars & Mountain Lions. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. 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 . What if your breed falls under breed-specific legislation? A large dog will kill a marmot, whereas a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. My Dog Yelps When Picked Up Under Its Chest. If it's a single gate, that's just waiting for an accident to happen. Squishy spots in your yard where the soil is very loose. Cookie Notice Don't just choke the dog since that'll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to . Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. Similarly, if you often have your friendly dog off-leash, you might want to reevaluate. Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2022. As they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern US. This question typically depends on your dogs temperament. 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. How Stella Got Her Groove Back. The chance of a close encounter between your dog and a groundhog is relatively slim. My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? A groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) is an animal that belongs to the rodent family. thank you very much for responding. weve thought about looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but i think its long overdue since this happened :/. Along with other types of smaller mammals like possums and groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies. Toss a . 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. The type of muzzle you should strongly consider in this case is a basket-type muzzle, that allows your dog to fully open their mouth to pant, take treats, and drink while preventing them from grabbing a hold of something with their mouth. In other cases, euthanization will be on the table and its not always entirely clear upfront. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. Their dog was leashed and they even informed you about the other dog not being friendly. They also use their long claws for digging burrows and holes in grassy areas. You may be able to safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. Groundhogs mostly live in filthy places and, because of that, carry a lot of microbes with them. Why bring a reactive dog to an off-leash beach without fitting a muzzle? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Groundhogs hate the smell of ammonia, which dog pee (and most pee) is full of. Ask a Vet Live Now My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? They build extensive burrows similar to prairie dogs. A groundhog usually won't win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. 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. Constant vocalization and barking. 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. Local leash law varies quite a bit and there are differences between the inner city, parks, designated forest paths, or a dog park where leashing may not even be required. These are rodents that have large front teeth, which are used to cause damage to wood and other materials. Unfortunately the state of WV has a 1 bite law ( humans) that gives the dogs another chance. I don't know for sure, but I think he hit it in the head, which did largely nothing. Had their dog been muzzled, this wouldn't have happened, yet somehow I was the only one at fault in their eyes. This occurs in many cases where an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog is being bad. Groundhog bites dog Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, however! Rat. 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. 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. I ended up putting her back on the lead, but she got away from me twice. The name woodchuck is given to the groundhogs because they can cut through wood as they have strong teeth like most rodents. It is ideal for taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be harmed while attacking the groundhog. It's always when he is laying down/asleep, I believe it's scaring him not knowing who is close and he is afraid. The 2 dogs penned him inside of the large shelter we have in our kennel. Freezing. Reed was raising poultry when he got his first terrier to scare predators away from his flock. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. In addition, these months are where youll see damage to your yard as the groundhogs consume your grass and build more tunnels. When the dog that attacked you is with an owner, make sure to acquire their contact details. The boxer had my dog by the skin around his ear and wouldn't let go, shaking him periodically. Nothing happened. 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. Is the Kong Classic the Best Dog Toy Ever? Keeping a tidy lawn free of wood or leaf piles and . What diseases can a dog get from a groundhog? Friend dog needed rabies shot was overdue. Surely the culpability for the incident is shared? After moving him away from the groundhog, we were approached by two other nice dogs (worst timing ever, though), who literally went right up to my dogs face to smell him and he was very bloody too. Shouldn't the apartment complex had signs up to close gates? Please make sure that there is an emergency fund for your dog in the future. 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? Glad the small dog is ok, but not sure what happened to the other dog or why the rabie shot matters. Breeds with stronger jaws (not locking jaws) do exist. However, its also important to recognize when your dog is not social with other dogs and take appropriate management steps to keep everyone safe. Dachshunds were bred to go down the burrow of badgers. His tongue was bleeding, and he was definitely in contact with some of the groundhogs blood unfortunately. The 2 dogs are known to be aggressive and have bitten a person leading to a hospital stay with surgery. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. The major problems that they cause are the large holes they dig and the damage that occurs from this animal. I just dont if I can excuse this by saying, well, its that prey drive that dogs have. Typically groundhogs avoid confrontation and prefer to flee rather than fight, but there are instances where a groundhog fights back. For each animal this can be a different story. We hope you got some answers on how to stop your dog from fighting and killing a groundhog. However, this can be tricky as their tunnel systems are elaborate, and placing a trap at every exit might not be plausible. 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 . You can also use motion-detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and other unwanted visitors in your yard. If its too late and they have already infested your yard, below are some helpful tactics to eliminate groundhogs. Our 2yr old Texas Heeler ( Australian Shepherd/blue heeler) was attacked about 2 weeks ago by neighbors 2 pit bulls. Are you worried the groundhog could make your dog sick? After dressing the wound, contact your vet to schedule an appointment so a professional can assess the injury. Other Groundhog-Related Risks To Your Dog. 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. If your cat has access to grounds where a forest and a field meet, there's a higher change they'll encounter a groundhog. Therefore, it's very important to get vaccinated after any groundhog bite. Has your dog eaten a groundhog? In most situations, you'll want to get a door between you and the dog. 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. 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. Why Is My Adult Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? 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. 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. No waiting for appointments or office hours. Answered by Dr Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago. A groundhog can cause rabies, tularemia, and even the plague. 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). 5. These rodents usually dig burrows in grassy areas and eat through gardens causing a lot of damage. STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. Add New Sources of Food. If your dog gets in contact with these microbes, it can prove to be harmful to your dogs health. Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. I suggest doing so by carefully approaching your dog using a calm voice, averting your gaze, and turning your body away from her. We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues with her with any of dogs. These babies stay with their mother for around 2-3 months before leaving the burrow to find their own lawn to destroy. Don't kick the dogs or put yourself at high risk or otherwise encourage them to bite harder 3. If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. Whenever a dog sees a groundhog, it can become aggressive and attack the rodent irrespective of the place. 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 the handbag doesn't keep the dog from attacking, use pepper spray, if you have it on hand during an attack to avoid injury. Evaluate the incident again but keep in mind that it may be possible that the other dog owner is legally in the clear here. Sometimes, reporting the dog bite will serve as a fair warning to the dogs owner that they need to take better steps to control their dogs behavior and keep everyone safe. Other names for groundhogs include woodchucks, whistle-pigs and land-beavers. and our Instead, they simply deter them from staying. Glory. It mainly affects hares, rabbits, and rodents like squirrels and groundhogs. 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. This animal creates two, sometimes three holes, with a large tunnel system that runs from . 2. The dirt present on the body of a groundhog often attracts parasites like ticks and fleas. Luckily he is healing physically, but emotionally I'm afraid we will have more work an time. Then, if possible, gently wash and disinfect the bite site to help stop the infection from setting in. Remove visual stimulus, get something between you (umbrella, car, garbage pail, blanket, etc.). There are different breeds of dogs that you can have in your home as a pet. While rare, the effects of this disease can be serious. If you know or suspect your dog has eaten groundhog poop and is showing signs of being ill, then it's best to call the vet. 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. But they wake up early for love. As mentioned earlier, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. 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. When this animal has gone searching for food, pour castor oil inside the groundhogs burrows. It could be a whole range of issues, separation anxiety, food aggression, resource guarding. Even if your dog seems fine at the moment, you should check them over again in 10-20 minutes. A large dog will kill a groundhog, while a tiny dog is unlikely to come close enough to be bitten. Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large. Instead, using repellents to direct the groundhogs back into the woods is a preferred method for the whole neighborhood. 7 Of The Largest Pet Lizards The Biggest Lizards You Can Own. If trapped or cornered, a beaver will attack a human. You should not just build above-ground fencing but also build in-ground fencing. He would try to smell it while it was nipping at him, and when it did he would bite it badly. 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. My Dog Chewed a Lidocaine Patch. 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. Its always wise to leash your own dog. The options below are all humane ways of removing groundhogs from your yard. The owners have offered nothing not even remorse ( Briar couldn't get up an walk on his own without help for,48hrs +). If you become agitated, this may make your dog feel more worried. Groundhogs fall in the category of prey. 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. This is what I really dont understand. If your pet dog attacks the groundhog, the woodchuck can bite your dog anywhere in the body. However, it can be argued this only works if you can safely grab your small dog without being bitten yourself. Urination or defecation. 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. Traps for Catching: Catching traps are available in the market by using which you can catch the groundhog that is bothering you. Theyre notorious for burrowing in the yard, eating landscape and garden plants, and more. However, you should never use it to hit the dog. My mother is in the hospital right now and I fear the day we see the bill. 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. What Do I Do If A Groundhog Bites My Dog? When cornered, a groundhog can become fierce. Instead, you can use the suggested repellents below to guide the groundhog toward the trap that youve placed in front of the exit. 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. Whether you know what is causing this aggressive behavior or not, consulting a behaviorist will be necessary to deal with it. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Puppy Playtime Guidelines, Road Trip! But what happens if they do get into a showdown? Initially they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly. 1. 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. You can see groundhogs outside their burrows through late spring, summer, and early fall. 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. 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 Little dog had surgery is OK. Read on to find out. Get a squeaky toy that looks like a rat or a stuffed animal that resembles the animal your dog loves to chase. Cases look entirely different if humans were involved. In your duel against groundhogs, a good weapon is chicken wire. I was walking my dog, around 4-5 year old German Shepherd, and he ran off after a groundhog in the distance. Expert's Assistant chat. If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. Wild animal attacks typically result in pet insurance claims for treatment of lacerations, bite wounds, puncture, and soft tissue trauma. They can even be dangerous to bigger animals like stock and smaller horses. In many cases, its advisable to report a dog attack. While these animals aren't likely to go out of their way to attack a cat, their sharp teeth and claws can do damage. If the cat and the dog live inside together, a lifetime may . A groundhog may try to attack a person if they think they have no other choice, but they will often attempt to run away when approached. Yesterday I was at an off-leash beach with my two jack Russells and my foster pup (an Arab cross - Megs). Sometimes, the opposite sites are ordered to pay for each others veterinary costs. For more information, please see our Groundhogs most commonly live along forest edges near open fields, streams, and meadows. While these tactics can work, you may be directing your groundhogs into your neighbors yard, which ultimately isnt the goal. Hitman. We look at the emotions following a dog's death and ways to process them. The rodents' sharp teeth may cause serious injury as well as infection. If you are not physically able to break up the dog fight, or if getting involved would put you at risk of injury, it may be a tough call for you and its true that these fights often sound worse than they are. Rabies can prove to be harmful to all mammals. Groundhogs can usually escape a dog by diving into their burrow or past a fence. 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. 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. Nuts- Shagbark, hickory, acorns (nut of oaks and contains seeds). She screamed at me to get my other dog away, (I was trying to put Archie on the lead at the time and Beau (my 3 yo) was getting too close. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. 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. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). At the end of each tunnel, the groundhog will dig upward horizontally for 15-25 feet, preventing the tunnels from flooding during heavy rain. 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. Some woodchucks are also aggressive. 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. Try to avoid doing anything confrontational, such as staring her in the eye, standing over her, or invading her space. 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. It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? However, Id never let a dog fight play out and instead always step in. There was nothing Briar could do to escape, he hunkered down an even rolled over in submission. Know what to do if your dog ends up in a fight. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. Even remorse ( Briar could n't get up an walk on his own help. The plague bacteria Yersinia pestis burrowing in the eye, standing over her, or invading space. Grass and build more tunnels if the cat and the damage that occurs from this animal loves chase. Happens if they feel threatened and cornered scratch your dog gets in contact with of! 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