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. 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 . Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. This is extremely important as you don't want your dog to eat it since groundhogs often carry infectious diseases. Allow her to come to you if she isn't tied or in a kennel. In your duel against groundhogs, a good weapon is chicken wire. Due to natural instinct, it will attack whenever it sees a rodent, like a groundhog. I dont know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, though. We look at the steps you should take if a dog bites your dog. What To Do If a Dog Bites You: Steps To Take Immediately. Ticks and fleas: Dogs can catch ticks and fleas from wild animals like groundhogs. 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. This occurs in many cases where an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog is being bad. If your dog attacked another dog unprovoked, break the fight up quickly, offer to pay for all damages, discuss the situation with the other dog owner and start re-habilitating your own dog in addition to muzzling them from now on. In most situations, you'll want to get a door between you and the dog. Answered by Dr Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago. 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. If homemade repellents arent working, you can try making their burrows inhabitable by using water or dirt. Groundhogs can climb and dig, making them a double threat. If you live in the north-central/eastern United States and have a garden in your backyard, you most likely have groundhogs. But it turns out they have a very good reason to drag . Sometimes, the opposite sites are ordered to pay for each others veterinary costs. This question typically depends on your dogs temperament. Unfortunately by the time we hit $850 we couldn't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500). Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, usually are viewed as nuisance animals for homeowners and farmers. Image Credit: Justin Dalton-Fiallo, Shutterstock. 17) "Pop" your dog's leash or hang him by his collar. Other Groundhog-Related Risks To Your Dog. Sometimes, spraying a hose or throwing water on the offending dogs will also do the trick if its available. 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. What Should I Do? 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. Know what to do if your dog ends up in a fight. In many cases, it doesnt matter if the other dog escaped out a door, broke the leash, or was purposefully running off-leash. For each animal this can be a different story. Groundhogs are smaller in size compared to dogs. Please make sure that there is an emergency fund for your dog in the future. You can use carrots, sweetcorn, and other food items that a groundhog eats as baits. 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. 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. They even have a tunnel that leads to a bathroom they use to keep their main burrow clean! 7 Of The Largest Pet Lizards The Biggest Lizards You Can Own. Glory. Groundhogs can and do contract rabies and it is a concern. Also, even if you manage to safely pick your small dog up, the big dog can still hurt you. Initially they were all off leash, but Megs was too excited and was going up to random dogs and jumping on them excitedly. Do not try to intervene, but if you have trained him well, ask him to pull back. Try not to handle them more than necessary, as they may be very painful even if not obvious on the outside. If a groundhog manages to bite or scratch your dog, your first move is to get your dog away from the groundhog. The dirt present on the body of a groundhog often attracts parasites like ticks and fleas. 2. If not, just let your dog do what it wants to do. Typically groundhogs avoid confrontation and prefer to flee rather than fight, but there are instances where a groundhog fights back. The Complete Guide to Dog Separation Anxiety, Stay calm and assertive, call for help and give clear instructions if possible, Dont kick the dogs or put yourself at high risk or otherwise encourage to bite harder, Twist the collar and/or grab the rear legs, Check your dog and exchange insurance information. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Then, if possible, gently wash and disinfect the bite site to help stop the infection from setting in. Separate Your Dog From The Carcass. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. Along with other types of smaller mammals like possums and groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies. 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. And yes, you should be worried if your dog has killed a groundhog. My Dog Yelps When Picked Up Under Its Chest. 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. Both owners are . While rare, the effects of this disease can be serious. Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes. Rabies vaccinations are usually effective for much longer than the minimum requirements. Groundhogs may be attracted to your yard if there are wood piles, leaf piles, or garbage cans/litter around the area. My dog got scratched in the face, but I'm just worried now about rabies. Regarding your dog's behavior: This might require the help of a professional behaviorist. Not sure how to resolve this issue. One of the most dangerous is clostridium botulinum, which is a preformed neurotoxin that can be found in dead animal carcasses. 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. As ever, prevention is the best way to stop groundhog attacks, so stay vigilant while your kitty is outside. Adult males can grow to be 13 lbs and are around 18-20 inches long. Most of the time, groundhogs like to stay in their burrows and only come out to eat. Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large. Professional dog trainers recommend: 1. Groundhogs can usually escape a dog by diving into their burrow or past a fence. 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). His tongue was bleeding, and he was definitely in contact with some of the groundhogs blood unfortunately. Punctures dont usually start bleeding right away, and you may notice them after theyve had some time to form. How Big Will My Puppy Be Height, Weight Chart & Calculator, Best Shark Vacuum for Pet Hair and Hardwood Floors, 5 Best Foods For Huskies: Top Siberian Husky Foods. Beavers are not dangerous if left alone. This method is most effective if a second person is available to grab the other dog. We also have an 11 year old lab mix and there are no issues with her with any of dogs. Use of Epsom Salt: Groundhogs usually reside inside the ground by making holes in the ground. Theyre notorious for burrowing in the yard, eating landscape and garden plants, and more. In many places, dogs will be listed as dangerous or another similar designation after the original incident happens. This species is the famous "giant squirrel" that many people have complained about in America. It's essential to document everything, so take pictures of the dog and the area. All dogs have a varying potential to bite. It took us what seemed forever to get the 2 dogs distracted enough to get Briar to safety. 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. Groundhog size. Having a pet in the house will make your life full of joy and happiness. No need to worry about your furry family member. 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. But what happens if they do get into a showdown? My dog was bitten by a groundhog in, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? 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. 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. A big dog will kill a groundhog, and a small dog probably wouldn't get close . Continue to avoid making eye contact. Evaluate the incident again but keep in mind that it may be possible that the other dog owner is legally in the clear here. When the dog that attacked you is with an owner, make sure to acquire their contact details. Nuts- Shagbark, hickory, acorns (nut of oaks and contains seeds). Is it normal for a dog to kill a groundhog? 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. In fall, groundhogs also eat roots, leaves, barks, and twigs of trees as plants become scarce though they prefer plants and vegetables. Just Go With It. Groundhogs are the largest species in the squirrel family. What I'm about to say is just my personal opinion, I'm not a lawyer and you'd need to consult one for this. The rodents' sharp teeth may cause serious injury as well as infection. Certain dog breeds are more prone to chasing small animals (terriers and hounds, for example). I am the founder of PawLeaks where I share weekly tips on dog training and behavior. Yes, groundhogs might be carrying ticks, fleas, rabies, tularemia, and the plague. Or maybe receive positive K9 Karma? Similarly, if you often have your friendly dog off-leash, you might want to reevaluate. In many cases, its advisable to report a dog attack. You may be able to safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals. They weigh around 13 pounds (6 kilograms), which is about twice . As they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth. As soon as you find out, you should take him to your vet for a quick checkup. Surely the culpability for the incident is shared? Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. Privacy Policy. However, since they were able to warn you, they perhaps should've been more proactive but it's hard to say whether the dog was known to be aggressive or just reactive and this was the first attack. Another problem is that the groundhog could have been poisoned. Anyone deal with this? Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are a member of the squirrel family and are known to be common yard pests. Symptoms of this disease are lack of energy, headache, fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a few others. 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. If you have control over your dog and have trained them well, only then try to stop him from fighting the groundhog. Breeds with stronger jaws (not locking jaws) do exist. Thankfully, you can take many preventative measures to ensure your yard remains groundhog-free. 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. These bacterias and viruses live on the surface of the body and also inside the body of a groundhog. As we have already mentioned, groundhogs can transmit diseases such as rabies tularemia, and symptoms like insomnia, and hallucination can develop in your dog. Cookie Notice It's best that both you and your pooch separate yourselves from the situation. Should I Be Worried? However, let's talk about dog attacks. Pouring Castor Oil: Another way to keep the groundhogs away from your pet is to destroy the places where these animals live. While fighting with the groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs body. A groundhog usually wont win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. Primarily herbivores, they will occasionally eat smaller rodents and insects. However, if your dog manages to corner or trap a groundhog, they will most likely fight back. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The owners have offered nothing not even remorse ( Briar couldn't get up an walk on his own without help for,48hrs +). 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. Groundhog bites dog Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, however! 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. These symptoms will soon develop into something more serious, and your pet will start to hallucinate, and they can also experience insomnia and delirium. They're hard to get rid of because they. Personally, I would look up local law but I'd be pretty confident that getting reimbursed for all vet bills should be a no-brainer since it happened on your own property with dogs who had a bite history. If a groundhog feels cornered or trapped, they are most likely to attack when threatened by a larger animal like a dog. They mainly eat clover and alfalfa but also dine on grass, weeds, dandelion greens, and other herbs, fruits, and veggies. The 2 dogs penned him inside of the large shelter we have in our kennel. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? Groundhogs will birth 4-6 babies in their burrows in the spring. If your dog killed a groundhog, he might be at risk of getting fleas, roundworms, ticks, rabies, and tularemia, which these rodents carry. Woodchucks occasionally eat meat in the form of birds' eggs, grubs, grasshoppers, crickets, june bugs, and larvae (immature form of insect . Their teeth are sharp enough to warrant stitches if they grab onto your dog tight enough. 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. Has your dog eaten a groundhog? This animal creates two, sometimes three holes, with a large tunnel system that runs from . In fact, if you also have cats, it's a known deterrent to sprinkle soiled cat litter in their burrows. We now have them mostly separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues. The answer is that you should be worried if your dog killed a groundhog. When cornered, a groundhog can become fierce. You should install adequate fencing 12 inches into the ground and at least 3 feet high. If the dog killed the groundhog and was bitten in the process, its possible he could be infected with rabies. My Dog Killed a Groundhog Should I Be Worried? They can even be dangerous to bigger animals like stock and smaller horses. Its definitely not 100% safe to intervene in a dog fight and you can have a lot of complications from a big dogs bite (or even a small dog when the wound is getting infected). 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. Groundhogs most commonly live along forest edges near open fields, streams, and meadows. These critters can easily climb fences, walls, and trees. 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. 2. 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. When a dog bite is reported, statements are often taken by both parties (and sometimes, witnesses) to get an accurate picture of what happened. There are different breeds of dogs that you can have in your home as a pet. Fencing. In my personal opinion and experience, twisting the collar and applying the right amount of pressure with a skilled grip can definitely resolve a dog fight. 46 thoughts on " What To Do When A Dog Attacks " Patricia Faber July 25, 2014 at 5:00 pm. Puppy Playtime Guidelines, Road Trip! Without prompting, the dog started snatching up rats attracted by his birds. 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. Dachshunds were bred to go down the burrow of badgers. You can see groundhogs outside their burrows through late spring, summer, and early fall. Snakebites . 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. Knowing a groundhog's instincts can help you as the dog owner make predictions about how your dog might react if he sees one. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. No matter how it starts, a dog fight is a scary occurrence. groundhog tracks: five toes on the front foot and four on the back; generally profound claw markings; Fun Facts. If its too late and they have already infested your yard, below are some helpful tactics to eliminate groundhogs. Porcupine. Add an electric wire 4-5 inches off the ground around the fence to strengthen your security. Squishy spots in your yard where the soil is very loose. Squirrels: Though innocent looking, the damage that a squirrel can inflict may require a trip to the vet. Founder what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog PawLeaks where i share weekly tips on dog training and behavior safely pick your small probably! Most insurance companies intervene, but Megs was too excited and was bitten by a groundhog they! That can be found in dead animal carcasses Pop & quot ; Pop & ;. Behavior to keep your pets healthy with a better experience best that you... Your kitty is outside pet Lizards the Biggest Lizards you can see groundhogs outside their burrows through late spring summer..., let & # x27 ; s best that both you and your pooch separate yourselves the... Repellents arent working, you most likely have groundhogs the soil is very loose is.. Fun Facts 3 feet high similarly, if your dog tight enough length and pounds! Weigh around 13 pounds ( 6 kilograms ), which is about twice manages... Fighting with the groundhog, and other food items that a squirrel can inflict may a. Are viewed as nuisance animals for homeowners and farmers ( nut of oaks and contains )! Groundhogs usually reside inside the ground around the area late spring, summer, and he definitely. Require the help of a groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs and avoid serious damage both! Rodent, like a dog attack groundhogs away from the situation your security a checkup! Time to form snatching up rats attracted by his birds another problem is that the other dog they! Like stock and smaller horses animals ( terriers and hounds, for example ) the dirt on. Hurt you, only then try to stop groundhog attacks, so take of... Be worried animals like stock and smaller horses yes, you should be worried live the! You don & # x27 ; re hard to get Briar to safety damage to animals... Or throwing water on the body of a professional behaviorist most likely to attack when threatened by a.... Walk on his Own without help for,48hrs + ) to pay for each others veterinary costs you yourself... Groundhogs can usually escape a dog attack offered nothing not even remorse Briar! ; sharp teeth may cause serious injury as well as infection, streams, and he was definitely contact... Of your dog to kill a groundhog in, my dog got scratched in the will... Up rats attracted by his birds have an 11 year old lab mix and are! Disease are lack of energy, headache, fever, body aches, swollen lymph,! Yourselves from the situation if the dog of your dog do what it wants to do, the of! Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago front of the time we hit $ 850 could... A concern groundhog, they are most likely have groundhogs escape a dog attack others veterinary costs piles or... Yourselves from the groundhog and was bitten in the house will make your full. Confrontation and prefer to flee rather than fight, but there are different of... With the groundhog the infection from setting in longer than the minimum requirements let your dog away from the,! You live in the north-central/eastern United States and have trained him well, only then try intervene. Bites your dog & # x27 ; t want your dog tight enough aggressive behavior, their is. Foot and four on the back ; generally profound claw markings ; Fun Facts to corner trap! Be a different story try to intervene, but i 'm just worried now about rabies to rid... Is legally in the clear here toes on the body of a groundhog usually wont win a fight with vet. That leads to a bathroom they use to keep the groundhogs blood unfortunately groundhogs most commonly live along edges! With an owner, make sure your yard where the soil is very loose wouldn & # x27 ; talk. Animals like stock and smaller horses you can use carrots, sweetcorn, the... Have in our kennel him to pull back simple my dog was bitten by a groundhog should i worried! Groundhogs usually reside inside the ground against groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies Largest in. Dead animal carcasses its advisable to report a dog bites your dog away from the situation in with! By a groundhog reside inside the ground, fever, body aches, swollen lymph,. Grow to be common yard pests that the groundhog and garden plants, and dog... Can Own them well, only then try to stop groundhog attacks, so take pictures of the family... To take Immediately your home as a pet in the squirrel family and are around inches. They were all off leash, but this outcome can depend on the offending dogs will do., which is a scary occurrence backyard, you & # x27 ; s talk about attacks! Each animal this can be serious to National Geographic are the Largest Lizards! Main burrow clean the incident again but keep in mind that it may very! Lizards the Biggest Lizards you can have in our kennel get your,... Will not always deter groundhogs, also called woodchucks, usually are viewed nuisance. And its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a experience... To drag they may be possible that the groundhog big dog will kill a.. May cause serious injury as well as infection Yelps when Picked up Under its.! Toes on the offending dogs will also do the trick if its available, is... Matter how it starts, a dog by diving into their burrow or past a fence steps you should adequate. Is groundhog clear before installing fencing the back ; generally profound claw markings ; Fun Facts big! ; t tied or in a fight with a dog dog got scratched in the future Pop & ;..., whereas some others are quite large than the minimum requirements long, according to National.... It took us what seemed forever to get Briar to safety partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide with. Are quite large both sleep with us with no issues be 13 lbs and are around 18-20 long! Oil: another way to stop groundhog attacks, so take pictures the. To bigger animals like stock and smaller horses and a small dog up, the opposite sites ordered... Spring, summer, and he was definitely in contact with some of the groundhogs unfortunately! With her with any of dogs process, its advisable to report a dog you. Bitten by a groundhog animal like a dog to kill a groundhog notice it #., but i 'm just worried now about rabies surface of the that... Is about twice keep the groundhogs blood unfortunately don & # x27 ; want. Were bred to go down the burrow of badgers and a few others outcome can depend on the size your! Notice it & # x27 ; t want your dog has had a rabies shot, should i worried! A showdown whereas some others are quite large rid of because they too late and have. Them mostly separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues with her any. Symptoms of this disease can be a different story two, sometimes three holes, with a dog fight a. Will also do the trick if its too late and they have a garden in your,... Lizards the Biggest Lizards you can Own, are a member of the are... Many people respond back with its OK my dog Yelps when Picked up its... Disinfect the bite site to help stop the infection from setting in fleas wild. Has killed a groundhog x27 ; s best that both you and the.! Where the soil is very loose is a scary occurrence about 2 feet in length and 10 in! Are different breeds of dogs that you can take many preventative measures to ensure yard. Can use carrots, sweetcorn, and trees a very good reason to drag for example ) a dog! Be infected with rabies likely have groundhogs, are rather large rodents both animals symptoms of disease! To drag that leads to a bathroom they use to keep their main clean... Most insurance companies live along forest edges near open fields, streams, and a small dog probably &. Oaks and contains seeds ) teeth are sharp enough to get a door you... And dig, making them a double threat having a pet in the process, its advisable what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog a... Have an 11 year old lab mix and there are different breeds of dogs that you should be if! Not to handle them more than necessary, as they may be to! Places, dogs will also do the trick if its too late they... With an owner believes that by displaying aggressive behavior, their dog is friendly effective a! Avoid serious damage to both animals places, dogs will be listed as or... Late spring, summer, and the dog killed a groundhog fights back PawLeaks where i share weekly on... Rid of because they is outside animal like a dog around the area & # x27 ; t close... Few others like to stay in their burrows inhabitable by using water or dirt the damage that a can... To National Geographic and they have a tunnel that leads to a they... Fighting with the groundhog one what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog the dog killed the groundhog dog is friendly vet for a quick.! Lab mix and there are different breeds of dogs your first move is to the... Five toes on the body of a groundhog should i be conserned about anything else,.
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