Foxes under cabin in our garden - how dangerous are they? And how do we get rid of them??

[loveyouradvice]

Hi

A pair of foxes have managed to dig through the chicken wire and are happily ensconced in the large empty space beneath our cabin (built like this to protect our three poplar trees).

Two questions

1. How dangerous are they to our little dachshund who loves going down to the end of the garden?
2. How do we get rid of them?? (Then we'll install more robust chicken wire defences so they can't come back)

And when I say get rid of them I only mean move them on, so that the end of our garden doesn't become "their territory" to protect.

Thanks!

How big is your garden? Why not just leave them where they are? I would be charmed by any wildlife in my garden.

The foxes aren't dangerous (and don't believe people who tell you they are - they're talking out of their arses and are ignorant and/or scaremongers).

The Fox Project have lots of information on their website but they also recommend Fox-a-gon who specialise in human fox deterrence:

fox-a-gon.co.uk/foxproblemsfaq/

Be aware that cub season is imminent. Given the mild weather before Christmas, it's expected that cubs could start to appear from early Feb. If you try to move on the foxes during this time, you could end up being responsible for the death of any cubs as the mother may be too scared to come back for them. Sadly this isn't uncommon and charities like the Fox Project try to save as many of these orphan cubs as they come but for some it is too late.

Could you let your little dog out on a lead for the time being in garden to ensure no trouble between them and foxes

Well we've had a fox who tries to bite us in the garden - seems to like feet. I stopped siting in the garden last summer because of it. A neighbour feeds them so they might have been trying to get food, I don't know, I just know they bite!
Never had another garden fox do this so this might be a rare 'un.

I would say your greatest risk is your dachshund disappearing into the hole the fox has made. That is after all what they are bred for 😊

I'm so jealous!

I don't think foxes normally attack , just leave them to their business and I'm sure they won't bother you.
Can you block the end of the garden off to your dog - I'm sure he would be more interested in them than they him

We had the joy of foxes setting up a den under our shed, where the cubs were born in February. They emerged in April, occasionally in the day but usually after dark, and gave us so much happiness, gambolling and playing in the garden. Mum raised them all beautifully, and they all left in July. Please don’t disturb them, and let her raise her cubs peacefully. Could you fence off the area to keep your little dog away from them for a few months until they go?

Make sure your dog's nexgard spectra/ advocate is up to date. Mine caught fox lungworm (crenosoma vulpis) from ones soiling things in our garden, or from eating snails or slugs contaminated by the foxes. It's endemic in foxes and transmits to domestic dogs. It's not usually serious (exercise fatigue, coughing, no appetite in our dog's case) but it is unpleasant for the dog, and requires treatment to get rid and then regular preventives. Our dog goes bananas at foxes and chases them off, but it is a bigger dog.

They are also likely to make your garden building absolutely stink. Their wee is very potent.

Thanks all... yes, may sound mad but I hadn't thought of fencing off the end of the garden.... It's not a big garden but big enough to do this for a while, and still give our wee fella space to run and explore. And definitely don't want to move them on if it's about to be cubbing season - for some reason I thought that would be much later in the spring.

So that's what we will do for now - you're right I'm sure he is more interested in them than them in him.

But what I didn't mention before is that he did get damaged before Christmas - the vet said it was more likely a scratch from a cat than the foxes, but he runs from cats - and runs towards the foxes, so I am suspicious. Quite mad seeing the little fellow barking ferociously at a fox after dark on our lawn.... seemingly unintimidated by their size.

We have had foxes at the bottom of our garden for years. They have never caused us any trouble and we just leave them alone.

The dogs got bored very quickly but aren’t hunting types. The foxes are quite shy and scatter when the dogs go out. They have never tried to approach us or the dogs (or cat) Dachshunds were bred to hunt burrowing animals so I expect are more danger to the fox than the fox is to it.

Your dog will probably see off a fox. The average domestic moggy can chase off a fox if they put their mind to it. They’re generally quite avoidant of conflict despite being bold as brass.

We had a pair who brought up cubs under our shed when we lived in South London. The cat looked generally disinterested, and both the mother fox and the cat could be seen sunbathing on the lawn at the same time. The cubs used to try to play with him, but he was having none of it!

We have fixes in our garden and a very petite cat. There's never been any problems between them.

Oh they are beautiful, you might get to see the cubs playing.

Are you in the country or town, urban foxes are very different to rural foxes.

I can suggest to you that you can get a solar deterrent thingy of amazon or possibly else where, the only thing is with you having a dog I'm not too sure if it will effect him too. I have 2 that we use in our garden mainly for cats and some rats we had coming in from a neighbours garden, anyway you can look into that or as my mum uses for foxes Lion dung or tiger dung she just uses it like manure on her garden. A quick google and I came across this if that helps. foxrepellentexpert.com/scoot/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20Scoot%20is%20a%20pet,move%20on%20from%20the%20area.

I don't think foxes normally attack
...
I think they do if a dog attacks them or appears to attack them, and I would imagine that like any animal if dog goes near the cubs he could easily be killed.

Awwww those cutesie foxes.

I would worry about small or slow creatures, but we adore the foxes too. It's their mating season so we're going out daily to try to make sure they don't select us for their den. Last season there was a den near enough to It's that they played in our garden and it was such a delight. They being said, we're keen gardeners and they did play their way to destroying a few plants! This year our garden has been the site of many battles for mating rights!

Also, meant to say, they're helpful to have around. We're a neighbourhood of keen gardeners and wildlife supporters, so lots of fruit and veg but also bird seed and compost bins. This means we have lovely little mice and rats. I haven't seen a rat in ages but these are good conditions for them. On our wildlife cam at night we see the foxes catching mice.

We have wildlife camera too. The foxes come every night, share their space with the cats wandering through and the badger. The foxes are wary of both the cats and the badgers when you watch them, they are extremely un confrontational.

No, we have a fox-sized dog who is a bit of a wuss (can't chase next door's cat out of the garden!) and foxes will run away from her rather than attack. I suppose if cornered they may fight to defend themselves, otherwise they run rather than fight.

Although they will quite happily sit the other side of the fence laughing at DDog, who runs up and down the fence barking at them - they know she can't get to them so just enjoy winding her up!

Foxes made their den under the pagoda on my kids' school field a few years ago, no one came to any harm. The kids were warned to keep away from the area, and got great pleasure in watching the cubs playing on the field from time to time.

Make sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date as foxes can carry distemper.

Forgot to mention, just make sure your dog is up to date with flea and tick meds and you should be fine. They are flea factories!

THEY CAN ATTACK SMALLER DOGS!