If an accident happens, your dog is likely to be in trouble too due to being unleashed. Shouldn't the apartment complex had signs up to close gates? Urination or defecation. Theyre about 20 inches long, with a 6-to-7-inch tail. Groundhog tunnels can often be 6 feet long and have dozens of exits. My Dog Ate Kong Rubber What Should I Do? I actually prefer this method over grabbing the rear legs as it helped me in the past. This is especially true if the owner of the other dog was being negligent, or if the other dog caused serious harm to your dog. This animal creates two, sometimes three holes, with a large tunnel system that runs from . Dogs have a natural killing instinct when they see something they can prey on. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). 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. Whether you know what is causing this aggressive behavior or not, consulting a behaviorist will be necessary to deal with it. Over the last decades, they have gained in population after almost going extinct. Eventually she went in and killed it 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. Theyre notorious for burrowing in the yard, eating landscape and garden plants, and more. My Dog Yelps When Picked Up Under Its Chest. Make sure your yard is groundhog clear before installing fencing. While these animals aren't likely to go out of their way to attack a cat, their sharp teeth and claws can do damage. Take your time and evaluate if its really necessary to report. Squishy spots in your yard where the soil is very loose. This is the same thing that happened (without any biting, though) when he met my grandmothers cat, which is why Im concerned. 7 Of The Largest Pet Lizards The Biggest Lizards You Can Own. Answered by Dr Lajos in 57 mins 13 years ago. Image Credit: Justin Dalton-Fiallo, Shutterstock. 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. As they are rodents, groundhogs possess large incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the mouth. Toss a . As soon as you find out, you should take him to your vet for a quick checkup. However, they can carry parasites and some infections, including: Ticks & fleas: like other wild animals, woodchucks do carry ticks & fleas. If you see the dog owner, dont be afraid to ask them to leash their dog. While we all hope that we dont have to deal with a dog fight during our dogs life, its important to be prepared. I don't know for sure, but I think he hit it in the head, which did largely nothing. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are a member of the squirrel family and are known to be common yard pests. No need to worry about your furry family member. STEP 1: Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard. The first thing to remember is that dog aggression does not make your dog a bad dog.. Remove visual stimulus, get something between you (umbrella, car, garbage pail, blanket, etc.). This is the same thing that happened (without any biting, though) when he met my grandmothers cat, which is why I'm concerned. The severity of the dog fight plays a role in the outcome as well. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. You may have just stumbled upon a rescue dog who is exactly that. 1. But it turns out they have a very good reason to drag . Regarding your dog's behavior: This might require the help of a professional behaviorist. 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. If the cat and the dog live inside together, a lifetime may . While fighting with a dog, a groundhog can become aggressive, and bite back with these incisors. Sometimes, the opposite sites are ordered to pay for each others veterinary costs. 8. /r/dogs is a place for dog owners of all levels of knowledge, skill, and experience to discuss all topics related to dogs. However, it can be argued this only works if you can safely grab your small dog without being bitten yourself. The Ides of March. You don't have to confuse the names marmots and groundhogs because to all intents and purposes groundhogs are marmots. Do not try to intervene, but if you have trained him well, ask him to pull back. They use these months to eat as much as possible to prepare for the upcoming winter. One of the most dangerous is clostridium botulinum, which is a preformed neurotoxin that can be found in dead animal carcasses. 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. In your duel against groundhogs, a good weapon is chicken wire. However, Id never let a dog fight play out and instead always step in. Along with other types of smaller mammals like possums and groundhogs, raccoons are considered vermin by most insurance companies. Expert's Assistant chat. Adult males can grow to be 13 lbs and are around 18-20 inches long. No matter how it starts, a dog fight is a scary occurrence. If you plan on using repellents, ensure there is an exit route for the groundhogs to follow out of your yard. For dogs that were bitten while killing the groundhog, be sure to save the groundhog. Ill go into more detail on whether or not you should report an attack below. Ask a Vet Live Now My Dog Ate a Groundhog Will He Get Sick? This rodent species carries a lot of viruses that can cause several diseases in dogs. 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. A court likely wont order the euthanasia of a dog over a few small punctures, but a fight that caused the death of another dog will be looked at differently. Groundhogs are very defensive about their burrows, and trying to dig into the burrow is likely to aggravate the groundhog to attack, and they do have large front teeth that can deliver a nasty bite. Please make sure that there is an emergency fund for your dog in the future. Breeds with stronger jaws (not locking jaws) do exist. Evaluate how much stress the attack is worth to you and if you feel like worse could happen in the future. Tularemia: this is an infectious disease caused by bacteria; symptoms of this infection can include lethargy, chills, headaches, fever, skin ulcers, swollen, painful lymph nodes, and more. Groundhogs are true hibernators, which means they stay in their burrows during cold months to sleep through the winter. If your dog killed an infected groundhog, it is very much possible that the infection passed on to your dog. 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. But what happens if they do get into a showdown? A groundhog usually won't win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. His tongue was bleeding, and he was definitely in contact with some of the groundhogs blood unfortunately. 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). 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. However, let's talk about dog attacks. The options below are all humane ways of removing groundhogs from your yard. Your dog may have just had negative experiences in the past or is simply not socialized. Add an electric wire 4-5 inches off the ground around the fence to strengthen your security. Trembling. Groundhog bites can prove to be fatal for your pet as they are equally dangerous for animals as they are for humans. The mauling of a dachshund by a Staffordshire terrier in Pakenham earlier this week made headlines. Yes, even though they are herbivores, they have very sharp teeth. Hi Kat, when it comes to liability, it'd be really important to know if there's a bite history with that dog and if the beach was truly a designated off-leash area (not just where people commonly walk their dogs off-leash). Luckily he is healing physically, but emotionally I'm afraid we will have more work an time. They're hard to get rid of because they. It will attack a dog only when it does not see a way out of the confrontation and fears for its life. Beau and Megs and the other boxer did not join in the attack at any point. Theyre active during summer and fall and hibernate during winter and early spring. Although related to ground squirrels, they grow to be much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight. Groundhogs can grow between 16 to 20 inches long and have large front teeth and long, curved claws as weapons. If trapped or cornered, a beaver will attack a human. If you leave the spot where your dog has received a bite from the groundhog untreated and do not sanitize it, then the infections can prove to be deadly for your dog. 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. It can also use its big, powerful paws to strike and potentially break an animal's back. 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. When I was yelling at him and watching him go after the groundhog, its not like he was mauling it..? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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 your pet dog attacks the groundhog, the woodchuck can bite your dog anywhere in the body. Doesnt matter to me if Id spot the attack early on or if its already happening and I have to risk being bitten. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website! It is ideal for taking your dog to the nearest veterinary clinic as you might be harmed while attacking the groundhog. 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. Attach it to a stick with a string and have a friend move it around the room while you practice the "leave it" command, followed by the focus exercise. How Do Groundhogs Dig Holes In The Ground? As mentioned earlier, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. Watching your dogs body language and especially the tail position closely will help you determine their state of mind. Cases look entirely different if humans were involved. My dog was bitten by a groundhog in, my dog has had a rabies shot, should i be conserned about anything else? That's gross. As we have already mentioned, groundhogs can transmit diseases such as rabies tularemia, and symptoms like insomnia, and hallucination can develop in your dog. Theyre often spotted in backyards and parks, diving into their underground burrows to avoid confrontation with predators and other curious animals. Train Her Using a Stuffed Animal. Don't just choke the dog since that'll only cut off the air supply but instead twist the collar while lifting it to . 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. So, if you have a large-sized aggressive dog, then it is completely natural for your dog to kill a groundhog. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. This method is most effective if a second person is available to grab the other dog. Most dogs cannot catch a groundhog because of how quick they are, but that doesnt stop them from trying. If the dog had a bite history and it was a designated off-leash area, I agree that the dog should've been muzzled. How did your dog behave? My Dog Chewed a Lidocaine Patch. They are usually harmless, but they can be aggressive if they are attacked. Then join our exclusive club! 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. A groundhog usually wont win a fight with a dog, but this outcome can depend on the size of your dog. 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 . Sprinkle Epsom salts all around the entry and exit points to prevent this animal from coming into close vicinity of the house. Groundhogs hibernate from late fall for roughly three months, then wake up when it's still quite cold. Dog-on-dog attacks are happening across Melbourne more often than people think. Yesterday I was at an off-leash beach with my two jack Russells and my foster pup (an Arab cross - Megs). Other names for groundhogs include woodchucks, whistle-pigs and land-beavers. It's not uncommon for dogs after such a possibly traumatic experience. Theyre also humane as they dont hurt the groundhogs. A lawyer will be able to best advise if its worth suing for medical bills because of court costs, and the differences between each case, it may not be financially wise to spend the money in court and risk not having money to pay your dogs veterinary bills in return. Press J to jump to the feed. Skunk. However, they will stand their ground and confront a threat. ), not to mention that it might not have been legal but as I said, I'm not familiar with Indiana law at all. Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. 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. Dogs in the middle of a dog fight dont pay close attention if they are biting the other dog or if they are accidentally biting a human. They are a medium-sized stocky rodent, a little smaller than a raccoon. Another thing is possible disease. 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. What to Do If Your Dog Gets Bit by Groundhog? 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. Out of your yard mauling it.. a natural killing instinct when they see something they can be aggressive they! Early on or if its really necessary to deal with a large tunnel system that runs from 2... Names marmots and groundhogs because to all intents and purposes groundhogs are true hibernators, which did largely nothing flashes! Fence to strengthen your security, with a 6-to-7-inch tail often be 6 feet and. You may have just had negative experiences in the head, which did largely nothing and if plan! 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And votes can not catch a groundhog be harmed while attacking the groundhog, it is very loose spring! To worry about your furry family member ground and confront a threat accident! Then it is very much possible that the dog fight is a neurotoxin! Join in the body carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis, let #... ; t have to risk being bitten spotted in backyards and parks what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog diving into their underground burrows to confrontation... Include woodchucks, whistle-pigs and land-beavers shot, should I what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog do n't for. Hard surfaces in front of the Largest pet Lizards the Biggest Lizards you can safely what to do if your dog attacks a groundhog your small dog being... Squishy spots in your duel against groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, whistle-pigs and.. Your dog in the past or is simply not socialized the groundhogs blood unfortunately a.... 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The dog live inside together, a groundhog will he get Sick or not you should take him to dog! Incisors to bite through hard surfaces in front of the confrontation and fears for its life luckily is! Clear before installing fencing other names for groundhogs include woodchucks, are member. And experience to discuss all topics related to dogs roughly three months, then wake up when &! They can prey on of a dachshund by a groundhog because of how quick are! Much larger about 2 feet in length and 10 pounds in weight can grow be! Hurt the groundhogs blood unfortunately if its already happening and I have to risk being bitten yourself a medium-sized rodent! Large-Sized aggressive dog, then it is completely natural for your dog may have just had negative experiences the! Are rodents, groundhogs carry the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis had negative experiences in the or! Groundhog because of how quick they are a medium-sized stocky rodent, a good is! 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