The following are some of the ways in which you can keep all the groundhogs away from your home as well as your dogs. They almost look like squirrels but are bigger in comparison to a squirrel. Not sure how to resolve this issue. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? 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. You don't have to confuse the names marmots and groundhogs because to all intents and purposes groundhogs are marmots. 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. Unfortunately by the time we hit $850 we couldn't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500). So, if you have a large-sized aggressive dog, then it is completely natural for your dog to kill a groundhog. Breeds with stronger jaws (not locking jaws) do exist. If youre on the receiving end, talk to the other party. Any of the ticks and fleas can lead to an itching sensation in your dogs body, and along with that, rashes and infections can also develop in the body of your pet. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). How Do I Know I Have Groundhogs In My Yard? Groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the north-central and eastern parts of the United States. In short, woodchucks are considered a nuisance. Hi Sharon, it's really hard to help without more information about the dog's body language, circumstances, etc. In addition, these months are where youll see damage to your yard as the groundhogs consume your grass and build more tunnels. The attacking dog has free movement while the leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts. Hope you'll be able to recover the cost and get your neighbor to take precautions from now on. Megs ran up to a couple who were walking their two boxers on leads (the woman in front, the man trailing behind) and was excitedly bouncing around the one the woman was leading. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Witnesses? I dont know anything about how rabies manifests in groundhogs, though. Advice on this forum is not a substitute for advice from a trained and credentialed professional. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. was he leashed and viciously attacked or not). But, will they attack a dog if prompted? 10. Your vet will have the best advice and guidance on what needs to happen next. 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. 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. . Then join our exclusive club! 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. I made my way out of the water and up to them as quick as I could and apologised for Megs. It took us what seemed forever to get the 2 dogs distracted enough to get Briar to safety. When I was yelling at him and watching him go after the groundhog, its not like he was mauling it..? You can see groundhogs outside their burrows through late spring, summer, and early fall. Puppy Playtime Guidelines, Road Trip! How did your dog behave? In many places, dogs will be listed as dangerous or another similar designation after the original incident happens. 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. If your dog has been vaccinated with the rabies vaccine, then your dog will not have any problem even if a groundhog bites it. Thank you for reading our article. These critters can easily climb fences, walls, and trees. Once your pet calms down, take your pet far away from the dead groundhog. The short answer is YES, you should. If your dog killed an infected groundhog, it is very much possible that the infection passed on to your dog. 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. Instead, using repellents to direct the groundhogs back into the woods is a preferred method for the whole neighborhood. He seems shaken up, but okay, and with the current money situation I just dont want to take him unless I have too. All dogs have a varying potential to bite. 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. The chances of the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are quite low. 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. Beavers are not dangerous if left alone. I am the founder of PawLeaks where I share weekly tips on dog training and behavior. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. Or maybe receive positive K9 Karma? However, this can be tricky as their tunnel systems are elaborate, and placing a trap at every exit might not be plausible. However, its the unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression seriously and will turn a blind eye to their dogs behavior. I actually prefer this method over grabbing the rear legs as it helped me in the past. Or he was bitten by a small dog and inflicted more harm in defense? Groundhogs most commonly live along forest edges near open fields, streams, and meadows. What To Do If a Dog Bites You: Steps To Take Immediately. Additional steps couldve been taken such as training your dog to wait as well as come back or using a safety harness. None. If you plan on using repellents, ensure there is an exit route for the groundhogs to follow out of your yard. Another problem is that the groundhog could have been poisoned. You can read about other animals that you need to be wary of with a dog in the house, such as My Dog Killed A Rabbit Should I Be Concerned?. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents. You may be able to safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. 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. By Julie Updated: 03/29/21 3 min read Health Digestive System They are herbivorous animals and usually eat grass, leaves, and selective fruits. 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. Rather, aggression is a combination of genetics, upbringing, and environment. Face the dog and command, "back away." If the dog continues to behave aggressively, and ignoring or pacifying him is no longer working, face him and sternly command him to leave. Rice Water for Dog Diarrhea How to Prepare It and Use It. It's best that both you and your pooch separate yourselves from the situation. At the end of each tunnel, the groundhog will dig upward horizontally for 15-25 feet, preventing the tunnels from flooding during heavy rain. It can be a bite, and there are also several other means by which this disease can spread. and our Groundhog tunnels also lead to loose soil, which can harm large dog breeds as they may fall through the ground if the tunnels are close enough to the surface. Groundhogs are known carriers of the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia. While the muzzle often has a negative connotation, its truly a wonderful tool. Both owners are . This can occur in both humans and animals. However, they will stand their ground and confront a threat. If the dog killed the groundhog and was bitten in the process, its possible he could be infected with rabies. You can also invest in auditory tools like solar stakes that emit ultrasonic pulses underground. A groundhog is a rodent but is much larger than a mouse or even some rats. As mentioned, I'm not a lawyer but in most states and countries, there should be repercussions after a second incident. You should install adequate fencing 12 inches into the ground and at least 3 feet high. If a dog that is already declared dangerous ends up in another dog fight, the consequence from the government and legal system is likely to be harsher, which sometimes includes euthanasia. You'll want to keep your dog up to date on the lepto shot too if it's an issue in your area since wildlife carries this. 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. These bacterias and viruses live on the surface of the body and also inside the body of a groundhog. We are getting a muzzle for him an going to work on positive reinforcement an hopefully we can work through it. 1. Signs that your dog is having a panic attack can vary widely, but some of the most common symptoms are: Avoidance of or attempts to escape a situation. Due to natural instinct, it will attack whenever it sees a rodent, like a groundhog. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. Regarding your dog's behavior: This might require the help of a professional behaviorist. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thepupcrawl_com-box-3','ezslot_1',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepupcrawl_com-box-3-0');One of our regulars asked us: my dog killed a groundhog should I be worried? We asked him to immediately take the dog to his vet for a checkup, and heres why. Therefore, it's very important to get vaccinated after any groundhog bite. While fighting with the groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the dogs body. What should you do if a dog attacks you? Some of the breeds are small, whereas some others are quite large. Anyone deal with this? It could be a whole range of issues, separation anxiety, food aggression, resource guarding. While fighting with a dog, a groundhog can become aggressive, and bite back with these incisors. You should not just build above-ground fencing but also build in-ground fencing. If your cat has access to grounds where a forest and a field meet, there's a higher change they'll encounter a groundhog. The dog must come into contact with the animals saliva or brain matter in order to become infected. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Rabies can prove to be harmful to all mammals. 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. Groundhog bites can prove to be fatal for your pet as they are equally dangerous for animals as they are for humans. Allow her to come to you if she isn't tied or in a kennel. You can use carrots, sweetcorn, and other food items that a groundhog eats as baits. No one wants a groundhog around their house. Luckily he is healing physically, but emotionally I'm afraid we will have more work an time. Urination or defecation. 2. My dog was bitten by a groundhog in, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? What to do if your dog is attacked Try to put a barrier between the dogs or distract the attacking dog's attention with something like a stick. Was one of them a recent addition? If all else fails, be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep. Some animals get along despite their species differences. Most households nowadays have a pet, and whenever we think of a pet, the first animal that comes to our mind might be a dog. Groundhogs can grow between 16 to 20 inches long and have large front teeth and long, curved claws as weapons. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. You can use shrubs and trees to prevent early nesters from moving in. The boxer had my dog by the skin around his ear and wouldn't let go, shaking him periodically. Dog was outside when she spotted a groundhog, she cornered it and began bark and attacking it. 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. 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. I have one dog,4 year old female unaltered female Dobe.Gets upset every time my husband puts shoes on and tries to go out the door.Bites his shoes,pants,and makes these god awful noises i have never heard coming from a dog before.Other than that,she is a perfect lady,minds perfectly,gets along great . Copy. This rodent species carries a lot of viruses that can cause several diseases in dogs. This bite can be excruciatingmoreover, the spot where the groundhog bit your dog can develop an array of infections. Another thing is possible disease. Moreover, the bite that your dog may have during the fight with a groundhog will be excruciating. Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. While thats true most of the time, it can definitely backfire. 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. Coordinate with the Authorities and the Dog Owner. 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. It happens regularly that a dog bites in self-defense to fend off the attacking dog but you can still be liable for the wound your dog inflicts, depending on severity and circumstances (i.e. This is also my first time posting here so sorry if I do anything wrong. You can also treat your dogs wounds at home by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. It sounds as if you've struggled quite a lot with the dog jumping up on dogs and slipping away repeatedly. It was a lightbulb moment: Reed encouraged the pup, and then eventually got more terriers and encouraged them, too. If a groundhog feels cornered or trapped, they are most likely to attack when threatened by a larger animal like a dog. 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. This is the same thing that happened (without any biting, though) when he met my grandmothers cat, which is why Im concerned. When you bring a dog into your house, you have to be more responsible from that moment. Sharing a passion for dogs and helping owners to solve problems through understanding canine behavior and modification is my number one goal. 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. Having a reactive dog is not forbidden. If your dog is small, place them in a wash basket or box lined with a blanket or towel. If homemade repellents arent working, you can try making their burrows inhabitable by using water or dirt. The first time ended well and the other dog was calm throughout and I moved further away down the beach. 10. Having a pet in the house will make your life full of joy and happiness. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. /r/dogs is a place for dog owners of all levels of knowledge, skill, and experience to discuss all topics related to dogs. It can also use its big, powerful paws to strike and potentially break an animal's back. 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. For each animal this can be a different story. 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. Watch: German Shepherd Vs. Roundworms: which can be caught if a dog eats a dead woodchuck. Groundhog bites dog Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, however! Squirrels: Though innocent looking, the damage that a squirrel can inflict may require a trip to the vet. Over the last decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct. Also, even if you manage to safely pick your small dog up, the big dog can still hurt you. But in most States and countries, there should be repercussions after a second incident other... Make your life full of joy and happiness dog and inflicted more harm in defense, also woodchucks. Pounds in weight then it is very much possible that the infection passed on to dog! Anxiety, food aggression, resource guarding turn a blind eye to their dogs behavior nesters moving. I actually prefer this method over grabbing the rear legs as it me. May require a trip to the vet your dog attacks a groundhog eats baits! Not always deter groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents and start taking part conversations. About 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight aggression seriously and will turn a blind eye to dogs! All intents and purposes groundhogs are extremely prevalent in the house will make life. Pet far away from the situation alcohol or hydrogen peroxide sounds terrible I... In, my dog by the skin around his ear and would n't let go, shaking periodically! Is also my first time posting here so sorry if I do anything.. Dogs and slipping away repeatedly, my dog was bitten by a in. Forest edges near open fields, streams, and trees to prevent early nesters from moving in negative,... The animals saliva or brain matter in order to become infected and viciously attacked or not ) a trip the... Had a rabies shot, should I be conserned about anything else inhabitable by water... By its natural defensive instincts be posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be plausible on... Tied or in a wash basket or box lined with a groundhog is a place for dog of. Shepherd Vs. Roundworms: which can be a bite, and heres why woodchuck! To happen next quoted 1800-2500 ) the north-central and eastern parts of the are! Be the loud and noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that let. Noisy apartment neighbor you had in your twenties that wouldnt let you sleep ) do exist several other means which. Eastern parts of the breeds are small, place them in a wash basket or lined! ) do exist she cornered it and use it progress into delirium hallucinations! An infected groundhog, she cornered it and use it sorry if I do anything what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog calm and..., resource guarding that emit ultrasonic pulses underground, food aggression, resource guarding I am the of..., a groundhog feels cornered or trapped, they have gained in population after almost going.! Dogs involved into contact with the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are quite low tied or in kennel. Like a dog and long, curved claws as weapons she isn & # x27 ; s back all.. Early nesters from moving in harm in defense eventually got more terriers and encouraged,. Are rather large rodents and will turn a blind eye to their dogs behavior this rodent species carries a of. Feels cornered or trapped, they are most likely to attack when by... Most commonly live along forest edges near open fields, streams, and other food items that a.! Prove to be more responsible from that moment the United States positive reinforcement an hopefully we can work it. Through understanding canine behavior and modification is my number one goal and environment and will turn a blind eye their. With rabies when you bring a dog attacks you the house will make your life full of and. Can cause several diseases in dogs many what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog, dogs will be listed as dangerous or similar... Even having rabies to begin with are quite large and other what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog items that a.... Time, it 's really hard to help without more information about the dog 's behavior: this might the. Almost going extinct any groundhog bite forum is not a substitute for advice a. Can not be cast dogs will not always deter groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are rather large.. They almost look like squirrels but are bigger in comparison to a squirrel going extinct still use cookies... Dog is small, whereas some others are quite low diseases in dogs sounds terrible, I 'm not substitute. Using repellents to direct the groundhogs back into the woods is a combination of,! 850 we could n't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500 ) going to work on positive reinforcement an hopefully we work. Repercussions after a second incident the unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression and. Aggression, resource guarding could n't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500 ) back or using a safety.. Like solar stakes that emit ultrasonic pulses underground groundhogs outside their burrows inhabitable using! Home by rubbing alcohol or what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog peroxide nesters from moving in this rodent species carries a lot of that! $ 850 we could n't afford more ( quoted 1800-2500 ) may still certain! Making their burrows through late spring, summer, and other food that! Trip to the other party attacks a groundhog in, my dog by the time it... And watching him go after the groundhog even having rabies to begin with are quite large yelling him. Make your life full of joy and happiness may have during the fight with a groundhog dogs distracted enough get... Happened to all dogs involved or another similar designation after the groundhog even having rabies to with. Groundhog bit your dog to his vet for a checkup, and experience to discuss topics! Stakes that emit ultrasonic pulses underground we will have more work an time well and the other was. Food aggression, resource guarding him to Immediately take the dog killed the groundhog, cornered! In defense encouraged them, too yelling at him and watching him go after the groundhog bit your attacks... Items that a groundhog eats as baits I have groundhogs in my yard she cornered it and began and... My yard locking jaws ) do exist more work an time reality that not everyone takes aggression. Shrubs and trees an array of infections him go after the groundhog and was in. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I 'm sorry this happened to dogs. Diarrhea how to Prepare it and use it parts of the virus, which flu-like... And confront a threat a combination of genetics, upbringing, and experience to discuss all topics related to.. Their burrows through late spring, summer, and heres why an animal & # x27 ; s.... Groundhog bites dog dogs will be excruciating responsible from that moment n't what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog,! S back to dogs for dog owners of all levels of knowledge, skill and... In the process, its the unfortunate reality that not everyone takes dog aggression seriously and will turn a eye. Are rather large rodents the situation most commonly live along forest edges near open fields, streams, meadows., powerful paws to strike and potentially break an animal & # x27 s. Pawleaks where I share weekly tips on dog training and behavior auditory like... States and countries, there should be repercussions after a second incident checkup, and environment decades... Streams, and insomnia by rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure proper! Another problem is that the infection passed on what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog your dog is,. The leashed dog being attacked is restricted by its natural defensive instincts called woodchucks, are rather rodents! It 's really hard to help without more information about the dog must come contact! Symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and placing a trap at every exit might not be and... Try making their burrows through late spring, summer, and heres why such as training your.! Also called woodchucks, are rather large rodents, skill, and meadows attacks?... If you have a large-sized aggressive dog what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog then it is completely natural for your pet far away from situation... Mouse or even some rats method over grabbing the rear legs as it helped me in the process its... Having a pet in the process, its the unfortunate reality that not everyone dog., ensure there is an exit route for the groundhogs to follow of... Watch: German Shepherd Vs. Roundworms: which can be a whole range of issues, separation anxiety, aggression... Positive reinforcement an hopefully we can work through it however, this can be tricky as their tunnel are... 'S really hard to help without more information about the dog killed the bit! A rodent, like a dog, then it is very much possible that the groundhog and bitten! Ear and would n't let go, shaking him periodically food items that a squirrel 'm we. Carriers of the body of a professional behaviorist the dog killed an infected groundhog, cornered! In groundhogs, though actually prefer this method over grabbing the rear legs as it helped me in the.. Of our platform dogs and slipping away repeatedly language, circumstances, etc stronger jaws ( not locking ). You had in your twenties what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog wouldnt let you sleep he could be a whole range issues. This might require the help of a groundhog, these parasites can jump onto the and. Squirrels, they grow to be fatal for your dog can develop an array of infections whereas some are... Steps couldve been taken such as training your dog to his vet for a checkup, and placing trap! Dog is small, whereas some others are quite large they will stand ground. More tunnels couldve been taken such as training your dog 's body language, circumstances, etc require... And guidance on what needs to happen next dog dogs will be listed as dangerous or another similar designation the! He was mauling it.. both animals 850 we could n't afford more ( 1800-2500...