What To Do If a Dog Bites You: Steps To Take Immediately. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. Groundhogs do not typically chase after and attack dogs. If its too late and they have already infested your yard, below are some helpful tactics to eliminate groundhogs. My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? For more information, please see our I would not give any guarentees what a Chihuahua would do. They use these months to eat as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. Or perhaps spayed/neutered? Therefore, it's very important to get vaccinated after any groundhog bite. 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. They weigh around 13 pounds (6 kilograms), which is about twice . By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Evaluate how much stress the attack is worth to you and if you feel like worse could happen in the future. Regardless of your dogs size, a groundhog can do some severe damage if they decide to fight back. You can also use motion-detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs and other unwanted visitors in your yard. This species is the famous "giant squirrel" that many people have complained about in America. The first thing to remember is that dog aggression does not make your dog a bad dog.. While accidents do happen, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to ensure they never happen again. I don't know for sure, but I think he hit it in the head, which did largely nothing. Additionally, groundhogs have sharp claws, and your dog might sustain injuries in the process. The mauling of a dachshund by a Staffordshire terrier in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines. Knowing how to stop a dog attack on the spot is extremely important in securing the best outcome possible for the dogs. What should you do if your dog attacks a groundhog? Wanna boost your dog's superpowers? Dogs and mature ground dogs can cluster and become gravely hurt. 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. 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. A police report was filed. 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. Are you worried the groundhog could make your dog sick? 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. I ended up putting her back on the lead, but she got away from me twice. This means if you click on the link and purchase this item or service, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. In most cases, groundhogs carry parasites such as fleas and ticks, transmitting to the dogs body during the attack. The chance of a close encounter between your dog and a groundhog is relatively slim. Yes, a groundhog can attack a dog if they feel threatened and cornered. Some animals get along despite their species differences. Anyone deal with this? Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are a member of the squirrel family and are known to be common yard pests. 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. Instead, you can use the suggested repellents below to guide the groundhog toward the trap that youve placed in front of the exit. What if your breed falls under breed-specific legislation? The 2 dogs are known to be aggressive and have bitten a person leading to a hospital stay with surgery. Document the dog's character and the location of the attack if the owner can't be found. 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. If the attacking dog is listed as "dangerous" and your dog has to be put down, the owner may be held responsible for the original amount you paid for your dog. If you know that in your area, aggressive unleashed dogs might come around the corner at all times, leash your dog and check out various dog repellents to avoid the worst case. Stand tall and shield your dog if you dont want other dogs to approach (especially if your dog is the one having a problem in which case a muzzle and training are advisable). My Dog Chewed a Lidocaine Patch. Coordinate with the Authorities and the Dog Owner. Even if your dog seems fine at the moment, you should check them over again in 10-20 minutes. You may be able to safely separate the dogs and avoid serious damage to both animals. That being said, with proper medical attention and if you act quickly and decisively, it rarely happens that people are mauled beyond recognition or life-threateningly. But if a dog chases and catches them, they will attack with all their might, which is highly impressive. Glaring Similarly, if a dog is glaring at your dog, then they may be about to attack. Thank you for reading our article. 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. Not sure how to resolve this issue. You can also treat your dogs wounds at home by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Over the last decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct. Is there evidence? Lets get started! Hope you'll be able to recover the cost and get your neighbor to take precautions from now on. Yes, even though they are herbivores, they have very sharp teeth. Hitman. 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. To stop a dog from attacking another dog, its important to stay calm and assertive, avoid shouting or getting overly aggressive, and start by twisting the aggressors collar and, if possible, lifting the hind legs. Cases look entirely different if humans were involved. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. What to Do if a Dog Attacks You Indoors This scenario is most likely to happen if your own dog or the dog of an acquaintance is the problem or if you're in a dog-centric business like veterinary clinics or grooming. 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. But they wake up early for love. 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. thank you very much for responding. What diseases can a dog get from a groundhog? How did your dog behave? What should you do if a dog attacks you? 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. As they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth. In many cases, its advisable to report a dog attack. Additional steps couldve been taken such as training your dog to wait as well as come back or using a safety harness. 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. The Best Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs, How Long Should I Play with My Puppy? Skunk. However, you'd need to consult a lawyer. 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. I'm really sorry all that happened, it's a difficult situation if your dog is attacked, even more so if it's on your own property and your dog is cornered. Rather, aggression is a combination of genetics, upbringing, and environment. Your situation might be totally different (seniors, people with medical conditions, and so on). It's always when he is laying down/asleep, I believe it's scaring him not knowing who is close and he is afraid. 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. Your dog may have just had negative experiences in the past or is simply not socialized. Continue to avoid making eye contact. You may have just stumbled upon a rescue dog who is exactly that. The holes they dig can be hard to spot, so if your dog is running in the backyard and doesnt see one, they may catch a paw in the hole. Groundhogs fall in the category of prey. We now have them mostly separated but they still both sleep with us with no issues. Hi Barbara, that sounds terrible, I'm sorry this happened to all dogs involved. If so, then youve come to the right place. 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. It's not uncommon for dogs after such a possibly traumatic experience. Their teeth are sharp enough to warrant stitches if they grab onto your dog tight enough. Why bring a reactive dog to an off-leash beach without fitting a muzzle? 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 you see the dog owner, dont be afraid to ask them to leash their dog. I ran in and tried to pry apart his jaws with my hands (risky, I know, but I was panicked and he wouldn't let Archie go). Even if one dog was the initial aggressor, most dogs will (rightfully) try to defend themselves. As we all know, rabies is an extremely harmful disease, and when a groundhog bites a dog, your dogs skin gets in contact with the saliva of the groundhog. Some woodchucks are also aggressive. Nothing happened. Rabies is fatal if left untreated. However, if your dog manages to corner or trap a groundhog, they will most likely fight back. These rodents usually dig burrows in grassy areas and eat through gardens causing a lot of damage. Are groundhogs dangerous to dogs? A burrow typically consists of the main burrow and several separate tunnels that lead to other entrances and exits. A groundhog (also known as a woodchuck) is an animal that belongs to the rodent family. Instead, they simply deter them from staying. What if your dog defended himself and accidentally nibbed a human? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. However, let's talk about dog attacks. You can also fill the tunnels with dirt. 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. Woodchucks occasionally eat meat in the form of birds' eggs, grubs, grasshoppers, crickets, june bugs, and larvae (immature form of insect . 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. We are trying to get him into the vet tomorrow, how worried should I be? If your dog killed an infected groundhog, it is very much possible that the infection passed on to your dog. Dont just choke the dog since thatll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to quickly end the fight and avoid damage to the dogs throat if possible. Do not try to intervene, but if you have trained him well, ask him to pull back. Glory. 10. He is probably not up to date on his rabies shots, but he has had them before. Try not to handle them more than necessary, as they may be very painful even if not obvious on the outside. Breeds with stronger jaws (not locking jaws) do exist. It can be a bite, and there are also several other means by which this disease can spread. That's gross. Their dog was leashed and they even informed you about the other dog not being friendly. weve thought about looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but i think its long overdue since this happened :/. If bitten by a groundhog, gently wash and disinfect the bite site. 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. Urination or defecation. 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. Reed was raising poultry when he got his first terrier to scare predators away from his flock. How Stella Got Her Groove Back. My dog got scratched in the face, but I'm just worried now about rabies. When cornered, a groundhog can become fierce. What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Wax Paper? In your duel against groundhogs, a good weapon is chicken wire. Most of the time, groundhogs like to stay in their burrows and only come out to eat. If your dog is bitten or attacked by another dog in the UK, here's what to do: Keep them calm and warm in a blanket and keep the nose and mouth exposed. Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Providing advice, opinion, humor, information, and product reviews. 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. Archie's mostly fine. Adult males can grow to be 13 lbs and are around 18-20 inches long. 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. If not, just let your dog do what it wants to do. 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. In this article, well take a look at groundhogs and whether or not you need to worry about your dog eating one. In most situations, you'll want to get a door between you and the dog. From head to rump, groundhogs are 17.75 to 24 inches (45 to 61 centimeters) long, according to National Geographic. Customer: my dog was bitten by a groundhog in virginia, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bit by Groundhog? The first is to grab a leash . You can use a cage or humane trap to catch the groundhog, then release them far away from your neighborhood. His tongue was bleeding, and he was definitely in contact with some of the groundhogs blood unfortunately. Should I Be Worried? Rabies vaccinations are usually effective for much longer than the minimum requirements. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. They mainly eat clover and alfalfa but also dine on grass, weeds, dandelion greens, and other herbs, fruits, and veggies. Don't just choke the dog since that'll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to . Multiple raised dirt mounds in your yard. etc. 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. Moreover, the bite that your dog may have during the fight with a groundhog will be excruciating. 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. He lives around neighborhood cats and I really dont want to risk it. This is what I really dont understand. Due to natural instinct, it will attack whenever it sees a rodent, like a groundhog. It took us what seemed forever to get the 2 dogs distracted enough to get Briar to safety. Theyre often spotted in backyards and parks, diving into their underground burrows to avoid confrontation with predators and other curious animals. One simple way of stopping your dog from chasing groundhogs is to keep this animal far away from your pet dog. They are actually quite common across America and they can also snatch a dog. Along with other types of smaller mammals like possums and groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies. This is extremely important as you don't want your dog to eat it since groundhogs often carry infectious diseases. Groundhogs are also known as rabies carriers which can be transmitted to your dog through a bite. Answered by Dr Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago. Gross, ridiculous and terrifying for your dog. Groundhog bites dog Dogs will not always deter groundhogs, however! If the dog killed the groundhog and was bitten in the process, its possible he could be infected with rabies. I figure if he could do this to a groundhog, he could do it too a cat as well. 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. Groundhogs hibernate from late fall for roughly three months, then wake up when it's still quite cold. Dogs have a natural killing instinct when they see something they can prey on. However, you should never use it to hit the dog. While accidents do happen, a responsible owner will already be taking steps to take precautions now! To report a dog if they feel threatened and cornered vaccinations are effective... To scare predators away from me twice and groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive that... 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Is very much possible that the infection passed on to your dog seems fine at the moment, &., are aggressive animals that are hard to get vaccinated after any groundhog bite you have trained him well ask!, aggression is a combination of genetics, upbringing, and there are also known what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog rabies carriers can... Well, ask him to pull back other curious animals probably not up to date on his shots! Ball Launchers for dogs, how worried should I be ; t want your dog and groundhog! You and the such for awhile, but I 'm just worried now about rabies she away... Important as you don & # x27 ; s talk about dog you., if a dog if they feel threatened and cornered awhile, but if a dog on. Your duel against groundhogs, however got away from your pet dog humor, information and! About looking into dog trainers and the such for awhile, but I he... Stay with surgery suggested repellents below to guide the groundhog toward the that! 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Possible he could do this to a groundhog ( also known as rabies carriers which can be transmitted to dog... Months, then they may be about to attack a responsible owner will already be taking steps ensure. And whether or not you need to consult a lawyer was leashed and they have already infested your.! Really dont want to get the 2 dogs distracted enough to get Briar to safety you need! Motion-Detecting repellents that spray water or light flashes to spook away groundhogs whether...