WILD- Topic 11: Wild Animal Encounters

A dog’s natural instinct is to bark at and chase anything that runs. Dogs that chase deer and other wildlife can kill, injure or exhaust these animal for whom wilderness is home. Conversely, if cornered, bears, porcupines, raccoons, wolverines and other predators can kill or severely injure your dog. If your dog has a strong prey, leave your dog at home or leash your dog when near wildlife. If your dog barks constantly, leave your dog at home so you don’t disrupt wildlife and other visitors. In bear and mountain lion country, keep your dog close to you at all times. Do not allow your dog to be unleashed out in front of you, as it could bring a bear or lion back to you. Keep your dog in your tent or leashed very near you at night. Predators, such as coyote packs, can kill even large dogs by luring a free-roaming dog away from camp. 

Some common animals you and your dog may encounter in many outdoor areas include skunks, snakes, porcupines, and other dogs.

Should you see a skunk on your journey, try your best to keep your dog far away from the skunk; skunks only spray when they feel threatened. If your dog is sprayed by a skunk, you should flush their eyes and mouth with warm water and bathe them to remove the scent. If your dog was sprayed from a very close range, you may need to bring it to the vet to have blood work done. In some rare cases, skunk spray can lead to anemia in dogs, but it is treatable. Bring your dog to the vet to see if this is necessary.

You can keep your dog safe from snake bites by leashing them and not letting your dog dig around in holes or under rocks. Stick to a path when possible so that snakes in your way will be more visible. If your dog is bitten by a snake, take note of the appearance of the snake so you may identify the species and go to the vet immediately. First aid for snake bite is dependent on the species of snake. Rattlesnakes and venomous species found throughout American can be deadly. Rapid response is imperative. Keep your dog calm by holding them and/or carrying them. The more the dog panics and moves around, the faster its heart beats.