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Original poster

Dog vs hedgehog

26 replies

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 22/09/2018 21:22

Firstly, I’m an animal lover and I want to resolve this. We have started to get hedgehogs come into our garden at night. I know they are endangered but my dog doesn’t appreciate this fact.

The dog doesn’t touch them and he can’t pick them up because he’s small but he stands close and barks which is unlike him as he’s not a vocal dog. He is a stubborn sod and absolutely will not come inside until I clip the lead on and make him come in. I’ve tried using a clicker to get him to be obedient but no joy. I bribe with his favourite foods but he just doesn’t care. I’m concerned that his barking will distress the hedgehog.

I don’t think I can deter the hedgehogs, can I? Or is there anything else I can do except put the lead on and make him come inside?

OP posts:
shouldwestayorshouldwego · 22/09/2018 21:25

I imagine that if the hedgehogs didn't want to be there they would go elsewhere. You could bring the dog in earlier possibly?

SilverHairedCat · 22/09/2018 21:25

Same but mine is silent and stares at it from millimetres away.

I have to drag her off - no other way. She is fixated. I'm also worried about stressing the hedgehog, but they seem pretty robust. The one round here is enormous and keeps coming back into our garden, so I assume it's OK!

I'll keep her away, but she can smell it a mile off.

Original poster
SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 22/09/2018 21:28

The dog is getting on a bit so he’s mainly inside, especially if it’s cold or wet, but this happens when I let him out for a wee and a sniff at night. I think my only option is to keep him on a lead at night which is when the hoggies appear.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

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Dogs
UpstartCrow · 22/09/2018 21:31

Our terrier used to do that until I had to bring in an injured hedgehog to take to the vet. Once he'd seen one indoors eating dog food out of a saucer, he grudgingly left them alone.

RandomMess · 22/09/2018 21:36

Get feeding up those hedgehogs!!!

Original poster
SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 22/09/2018 21:38

Random if I left food out, my dog would think it was for him! Grin

OP posts:
RandomMess · 22/09/2018 21:45

Grin poor doggie, he'll live Wink

Original poster
SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 22/09/2018 22:00

Oh he’ll live but he thinks he’s being constantly starved anyway. Such hunger for such a small creature!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 22/09/2018 22:12

Yeah I have one of those she would probably bark too annoying terrier

abbsisspartacus · 22/09/2018 22:14

Feed the hog walk the dog ?

dudsville · 22/09/2018 22:15

Hedge hogs are handy critters to have in the garden at night so I'd be wanting to get my pups on leads.

UrsulaPandress · 22/09/2018 22:16

I want hedgehogs.

A0001 · 22/09/2018 22:26

Make a hedgehog feeder... long plastic box like this, without the lid, turned upside down with a hole in one end. Food at the far side (closed) end

Birds (and dogs) can’t get to food.

They love mealworms, suits and crushed peanuts

They’re in huge decline so need a helping hand.

A0001 · 22/09/2018 22:28

Oh, and if the hedgehogs were distressed, they wouldn’t come in your garden. Our cats used to be very curious about them, going up and sniffing/pawing them, and the hedgehogs didn’t give a flying fuck.

🦔 🦔 🦔

birdladyfromhomealone · 22/09/2018 22:32

We have lived here for 20 years and never seen hedgehogs but this year we have 2!!!
Our dog is just the same OP.
The hedgehogs come right up to our back door every night.
Why?
What can they be fed
And why are they good to have in the garden dudsville?

Chesterfieldsofa · 22/09/2018 22:34

They eat slugs which is good, but do disproportionately big shits which is bad.

RandomMess · 22/09/2018 22:37

You can give them meat dog or cat food (not fish)

NicoAndTheNiners · 22/09/2018 22:37

They’ll be hibernating in a few more weeks so you’ll be ok then. Maybe keep him on a lead at night for a bit. Don’t deter the hedgehogs, they need to be able to forage for all the food they can get.

NicoAndTheNiners · 22/09/2018 22:39

They also eat dry kibble, either cat biscuit kibble is ideal.

overnightangel · 22/09/2018 22:47

Was hoping this thread was going to be about a new film along the lines of
Alien vs Predator
Batman vs Superman
Dog vs Hedgehog

partystress · 22/09/2018 22:48

Second the hardy critters comment. Our dog brought a huge one into the house via the dog flap. She was cut to pieces, but proud of herself. We removed hedgehog and put it in field at front of house. Three nights running it found its way back into the back garden. DH eventually carried it about 500m away to release it and that did the trick.

GoldenHoops · 22/09/2018 23:02

Our newfies bring them inside and then do the 'dog dance around us to revel in the fact that they are the hedgehog saviour's of the world🙄 They hedgehogs don't seem to mind, they just enjoy their dinner then toddle off!

Original poster
SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 22/09/2018 23:09

Sorry to disappoint you overnightangel :(

I don’t love walking around here at night but dog will pee if I walk him around the garden on a lead which is preferable. He did tonight and has done before. He’s not impressed but tough!!

We go through periods of no ‘hogs and then periods where they seem to congregate in the garden. We aren’t near a field or anything, actually quite close to a busy main road.

I like the hedgehog feeder suggestion. We occasionally get foxes too. They are apparently not deterred by the dog, although wouldn’t come in the garden while he’s there. As long as the foxes couldn’t get to the food, I’m happy to leave something out for the hoggies. :)

OP posts:
Original poster
SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 22/09/2018 23:10

GoldenHoops bless them! Glad they’re not too traumatised. I worry about them needing hoggie therapy as a result of an angry small pampered pooch.

OP posts:
GoldenHoops · 22/09/2018 23:33

They are very very gentle SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning The hedgepigs shuffle around outside , get brought inside for dinner then go back out. We had baby hedgehogs last year but didn't let the dogs out in that area just in case .