For pet lovers, an obvious first question that comes to mind focuses on whether the dog was OK. Thankfully, the story reports that the dog received a booster shot [e.g. If you’re afraid that you will not be able to keep your dog from interacting with a groundhog, and if you have seen your dog display signs of having a high prey drive, another option is to pursue professional training for your dog. (I saw it happen but I'm not sure if it was a bite or a scratch). Although small in size, groundhogs can attack causing possibly injury to a dog. Understanding your dog and the history of your dog’s breed can give you insight into his level of prey drive. The dog is a status symbol and I am complicit and I benefit from this ideology. If bitten by a groundhog, gently wash and disinfect the bite site. And How Much is Normal? When your dog sees a groundhog and attempts to chase it, you can pull the leash gently as you blow the high pitch whistle. I understand it can get ugly if the dog doesn't get the right spot the first time, but if you see no blood, saw the shake, and the groundhog is dead, you shouldn't have to worry. There are some breeds which might be more likely to chase and corner a groundhog. If another dog shows signs of aggression towards your dog, the best thing you can do is walk away calmly but quickly. Consult your vet. Although small in size, groundhogs can attack causing possibly injury to a dog. Coyote, fox or dog urine: Spray, drizzle or pour this near a groundhog’s hole to deter his or her return. Most of the time, interactions between dogs and groundhogs are uneventful. They can climb trees, so even the fruit in your fruit trees is not safe. Why Do Puppies Drool? Why Do Dogs Roll on Dead Bugs? A big dog will kill a groundhog, and a small dog probably wouldn’t get close enough to get bitten." The story is quite different when it comes to dogs. What to do if your dog is attacked. Any breed of dog that was bred specifically for rodent control will be more likely to chase and corner a groundhog with intention to kill. Those fruits have a high moisture content. However, individual dogs carry different traits and characteristics. Some owners and trainers prefer not to use shock collars. You can learn more here about specific vaccination schedules here. Secure a small animal such as a rat, chicken, or pet in a cage. Don't let your dog approach as this will make the other dog more nervous and could make the situation worse. It is just hanging there. One of the most common ways to train your dog not to attack small animals such as groundhogs is the use of a shock collar. You are going to slowly familiarize him with small animals and drill positive behavior into him. Unless you know your dog is extremely calm and wouldn't ever do anything to a small dog you shouldn't bring it into the small dog area. Some animals, such as deer pests, will eat up your garden during the nighttime, but groundhogs do most of their eating in the early morning and early evening. If you can't control your dog, that is very dangerous - not just for other animals, but for you too! As I ran out to see what was going on, she had a groundhog pinned with no where to run. Although the story of the rabid groundhog attacking a dog occurred in Maine, there is no reason to think something similar could not happen in North Carolina. This method is not ideal for all types of dogs, so it is best to get the advice of a professional trainer before pursuing this method of training. Cover the trap with an old blanket to calm the groundhog. Knowing and understanding your dog’s personal history and the history of his breed can help you determine how concerned you should be about a possible altercation with a groundhog. After wrapping the bite, seek medical attention. Other breeds to watch closely include beagles and dachshunds as these breeds were bred to hunt small game. Groundhogs typically won’t attack a dog unless it’s in self-defense. Then, the vaccine is boostered annually to every couple of years depending on the vaccine. Don’t get too close, but try to put a visual barrier like a gate, fence or car in between your dog and the other dog. Other breeds that may show prey drive include Affenpinschers and a variety of bird dogs such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and even Standard Poodles. Why Does Their Hair Stand Up? In general, the best policy when it comes to dog attacks is to do everything you can to avoid them in the first place. If your dog does attack someone else, stay calm. The owner or trainer keeps the dog on a leash and gently pulls on the leash when the dog tries to chase the groundhog. Some animals get along despite their species differences. If so, he may attack a groundhog. They eat a wide variety of garden vegetables. But how do you know whether your dog will even attempt to attack a groundhog? This morning I brought my small dog (who was recently rescued and is scared of big dogs) to the dog park. Yet, the good news here is that for something like rabies, pet owners have the power to protect their pets by making sure rabies vaccines are always current. Furthermore, if a pet has an encounter with wildlife like the story with the groundhog, the pet needs to be evaluated not only to have the injuries addressed, but also to be assessed regarding rabies vaccine status, rabies vaccine booster needs, and/or potential quarantine (or even euthanasia, depending on the rabies vaccine status of the pet). Removing them from your yard or keeping your dog away from wherever you see their burrows will reduce the chances of interaction between the two. If you want to get rid of those groundhogs, just put a bait and a cage. One area of confusion about vaccines that some owners have is when to have a vaccine boostered. However, lots of homeowners don’t want to have to do that. If your dog is a larger breed dog, he will probably not be injured by a groundhog, but you should still be concerned about rabies. Other owners who also own cats or gerbils, hamsters, and different pet rodents would also do well to train their dogs not to attack small animals. If the leash training and use of commands does not seem to deter the dog from chasing the groundhog, but you do not want to use a shock collar, a training whistle might be the right tool for you. My 6 Yr old Shiba Inu, named Zena started yelping in the back yard. Give us a call today to discuss what examination, vaccination, and/or preventive needs your pet may have. Additionally, many vaccines require a series of 2 vaccines to be given 2 to 3 weeks apart when the animal first starts receiving a vaccine. You can talk with our team and decide together with your pet’s doctor which vaccines are best for your pet. There are a variety of training methods to achieve this purpose. Once the animal is secure, take your dog outside on a leash and bring a pocket full of treats. It isn't through his lip. Neither one has even been bitten. If your dog was in a scuffle and the groundhog even bit his tongue, there is a chance you came into contact with its saliva just from handling your dog! This is because maternal antibodies remain present until about 15 to 16 weeks of age, and these antibodies can make the vaccine ineffective. Soothe and comfort your dog as best you can afterwards - but be careful. If you’re in this category of owners, training might be a better option than trying to keep your dog away from small animals such as groundhogs. Since groundhogs are known to carry rabies, it’s important to make sure your dog is up to date on his rabies vaccination, especially if he seems prone to go after a groundhog. This makes it more likely that a groundhog could injure your dog. He also killed the groundhog. Try These! Using this method, the owner or trainer will keep the dog on a leash close by for the first few weeks of training. My guys (Chance mostly) kill about 5 groundhogs a year. So wiener dogs are literally groundhog hounds, and will courageously chase them down woodchuck holes to do battle. Protecting the dog can be done simply by keeping the dog inside, and keeping the dog on a leash when it goes out for a potty break. Stories such as the one above remind us of the importance of staying on top of our pet’s preventive needs. And even then I wouldn't really agree with it. Can Dogs Eat Rabbit Food? On rare occasions, however, a groundhog will defend itself. Groundhogs, like most pets and people, are active during the day and retreat to their burrows for a good night’s sleep. he has bite marks on his neck that are bleeding slightly. If your dog cornered a groundhog in the woodshed, don’t be surprised by some sort of bite or scratch injury. Usually, groundhogs are not threatened by pet cats and can live with each other in harmony. For example, puppies and kittens have to get their core combo distemper vaccines boostered multiple times before they are considered “fully protected”. There are a variety of different training methods promoted by different trainers within different schools of thought. Admittedly, it can be confusing because it’s not the same for all vaccines or ages of pets. If the leash training and use of commands does not seem to deter the dog from chasing the groundhog, but you do not want to use a shock collar, a training whistle might be the right tool for you. A groundhog can possibly do damage to a medium size dog if it is provoked. Now (about two hours later) he has a skin flap where his whiskers are about 1/2" long. There are also some dogs that do not do well with shock collar training. But doesn’t a story like this also make you think a little deeper? They were specifically bred to have the drive and stamina to catch and kill rodents. They will not attack a dog, and they will quickly escape into their burrows to avoid any confrontation. He is acting very skittish (he didn't act that way after the groundhog actually got him). While some vaccinations are considered ‘core’ and necessary for all pets, other vaccinations are given based on risk and lifestyle assessment (learn more about specific vaccinations for dogs and cats in this previous blog). A Word of Caution. The best way to keep your dog from having an altercation with a groundhog is to keep him away from them. Groundhogs fear predators, including coyotes, foxes, and dogs, and smelling their urine is a warning to stay away. Check the trap often after setting it to minimize stress and injury to trapped creatures. Here's what to do if a raccoon attacks your dog, and how to prevent a raccoon vs. dog attack in the first place. Therefore, it's very important to get vaccinated after any groundhog bite. Of course, the goal is to keep your dog from ever having an altercation with a groundhog. A groundhog can possibly do damage to a medium size dog if it is provoked. Instead, quickly grab the back legs of your dog and pick them up in the air. Not all dogs will do what they were originally bred to do. If you see a dog that may be dangerous, stay away. A large dog would probably easily conquer a groundhog. You should go to the vet. 11 Possible Reasons, My Dog is Not Drinking Water But is Eating [At Home Solutions]. There are a number of other diseases that we can vaccinate against to protect our pets. 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