a general question

[Leslie]

We have a "visiting" groundhog in our yard.  I make it a point to make a lot of noise BEFORE I let the kidz out in the morning so if he is around he will "go to ground".  Yesterday I spotted it scooting under the shed and sure enough, the girls caught the scent.

I know that more likely than not this thing will hie itself down a hole if it sees or smells the dogs, but what happens if it does tangle with my girls?  My first instinct would be to jump in there are pull my dog away, but whaddya do in this event?   Should I maybe keep a bucket of water handy or what? 

I hope no one has actually HAD an experience like this, but mebbe you have heard from yer vet what to do?

Thanks!

[Delia and girls]

Sorry, Leslie, I don't have any experience with groundhogs. I would certainly be on the alert, like you are, when the girls go out. I hope you get some suggestions from others here. All we have is rabbits and the occassional rat (eeeewww! They got stirred up by some construction nearby) and they seem to know there are dogs here and don't come through the wooden privacy fence.

[PattyInAK]

I'd keep the hose handy.

[Mike]

Clifford startled one up in my parents' yard last summer and was able to bite it's butt before it got away.  I would be a bit concerned if the grrlz corner it as they can be kinda nasty.

[Marcia from MI]

Water is the best.  Eddie and Sully tangled with a woodchuck once but my neighbor turned the hose on it. 

[Frankys_mom]

Gosh!
I would be careful because ...although they're prone to run away rather than be aggressive, they have really sharp claws for digging up the ground.  I would suggest getting a humane trap,  trapping the stinker, and set him free in a field,  especially since you seem to be an avid gardener.  One year I lost all of my vegetable plants to the buggers.

Dawn

[roisinmarie]

if you ever get into a postion with your dash's and you don't have a bucket and you can see its tell gently pull its tail til it stops i notice one of mine dogs doin it on the dash and now when he tries to fight with the entire neighbour hood i gently tug at his tail and he stops

[Leslie]

  One year I lost all of my vegetable plants to the buggers.

Are you kidding?  This year I lost 50% of my strawberries to LOKI!

will be trappin' ASAP.  Got one two years agao, he went to the lake. 

[papbouv]

Sorry have read your reply several times are you pulling the dogs tail or the Groundhogs tail? Are you saying if you pull the dogs tail it will quit going after a critter? Maybe I'm dense today.
Papbouv

[doxielady5569128]

I was actually wondering whose tail too.   LOL  So if Papabouv is dense, i guess I am too.      Anyway...I think the trap idea would be the best.  Those little buggers can be mean and carry diseases.   Other than trapping and releasing it, I'm not sure what to do.   The hose idea sounds good too.  Good Luck and happy "hog" hunting!

[Doxherding Karen]

Got one two years agao, he went to the lake. 

. . . for a. . .swim?  ;^)

Karen