AboutDelores Beck Expertise Health, nutrition, and training issues.
NOTICE: I NO LONGER RECOMMEND CANIDAE DOG FOOD. DUE TO A CHANGE IN FORMULA AND MANUFACTURING FACILITIES, DOGS ARE GETTING SICK ON THIS BRAND.
Expert: Delores Beck Date: 7/3/2008 Subject: My Cocker and Wild Animals
Question I have 2 wonderful Cockers MollyMay McButter or just Molls is a 3 year old Female(fixed), she is my first dog, so I have made a few mistakes but I corrected them early, my biggest issue is a year ago (when I had a blow out knee and could not move much) she chased a cat out the window of the upper story of my home and fell 14feet on to the concrete driveway. She did not have any broken bones, or any bleeding of any kind…. To be honest she was fine. But she started to not listen, or remember how to do simple things like sit, stay, and the big one Come when I call. I was told she has some doggie brain damage from the fall. I live on a farm and there are wild animals mainly raccoons. There is no way for me at this point to keep her from going under the house or deck and try to flush out the animals under there (moles, raccoons, baby bear) she has gotten in to it 2 times with raccoons, and once with a baby bear. My hear dropped to hear her in a fight with something… but I have to give it to her she kicked butt, Major butt; Not a scratch on her, but I know it’s just a matter of time before she meets her match. And I’m scared I’m going to lose her.
The other problem is I have a 12 week old Male named sir Winston of Kissalot, or Goober. And he is starting to want to be just like his big sister and go under the deck. He can’t hold his own yet, in fact he ran the other way when Molls got in to it with the baby bear.
Any advice would help. I don’t think I could take it if I lost one of them or they got hurt
Answer Oh my! Yes, tough as Molly might be she's going to get into serious trouble soon.
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is fencing things in.
Is it possible to do a dog run at maybe the back door where it's convenient to let them in and out without a fuss?
I know a raccoon can easily kill a dog with those 5" retractable claws
if they feel trapped enough to attack.
So all I can come up with is fencing - long leash - close off the area under the house with some inexpensive trellis you can get at any Home Depot at small cost.
Still, if you live in a rural area with lots of wildlife any dog allowed to run loose is bound to get hurt.
I wish I could be of more help because if the baby Winston gets into it, he will be badly injured.
Delores
