dog sniffing

[Connemmara]

Hi All

For quite a bit of time and time again - my little dog seems to sniff at the side of my shed of which I cannot get access to as it is wedged to a fence - then he barks hence I can be thinking is it a dead bird, cat or some strange thing. Last week I happened to look out at my neighbour's new decking and saw some strange thing like a seal (dont live near water) - wasn't a cat cos it had no tail - however it proceeded to go under her decking and I know it can access into my garden which is paved. I have just gone and bleached and washed with washing powder, dettol and disinfectant - particularly done the best throwing some at the side of the shed - is there anything I can buy to get rid of this "creature" or even smell - cos dog can bark vehemently for quite some time at this - sorry to go on at length at this.

[carmalee]

classic signs of an infestation of Loxondata Africana - very unusual in the northern hemisphere.

[karenmac60]

I don't think it's an elephant Carmalee - it didn't have a tail ;)
That said Connemara, manx cats have no tail - and neither did my mum's after she closed a door on it....
What area are you in and what size is the animal?

[Ratty2E]

The only thing I could think of that would look like a seal would be an otter but that does have quite a big tail and would live near water. Very odd.

[Connemmara]

My neighbour has informed me it is a hedgehog - he has actually taken a photo on his phone of one that was outside his house (beside my house) - but it is still there under my shed - i have hosed and hosed and hosed and threw jeyes fluid but it is not stopping the dog sniffing and barking - if this persists I am going to get a visit from the dog warden regarding him barking again. - perhaps when he is in tonight for the night - the hedgehog may flee. God I hope it does as I am afraid of them.

[jules77]

How can you be scared of a hedghog, what harm can it do you?

[Connemmara]

fao jules 77 - I live on my own - it is the dog barking that is making me worried when I am out. Do you know if the hedgehog will go away itself.

[boxtops]

Hedgehogs like to live under decking etc and your dog is obviously interested. If it lives there, your scrubbing won't make any difference (other than perhaps make it ill) - a hedgehog is a huge bonus in a garden so I wouldn't want to deter it. How do you dissuade your dog from barking at it, is really the question.

[Connemmara]

boxtops - I dont really have a garden as such - it is all paved apart from one ivy tree growing up a wall so dont why the hedgehog can find pleasure in paved area under the shed.

[Connemmara]

sorry bad grammar - why does the hedgehog find pleasure in a paved area under the shed.

[whiskeryron]

Hedgehogs get rid of slugs in gardens, keep the H/H & lose the dog ( only kidding) try putting chicken wire netting or similar to keep dog away from area.Ron.

[Carakeel]

I have rescued hedgehogs many times over the years. They're lovely creatures and won't bit you when you handle them. You should ideally wear leather gardening gloves when picking them up as they are timid and will roll into a ball to protect themselves. The little spines on their backs are very sharp indeed. They are lovely to have in the garden. As for how you can stop your dog barking at it? Perhaps you can stand a planter where the gap between the shed and the fence starts, to deter your dog from going there. Try to train your dog to stay away from that area. Take a spray bottle filled with water. When he shows interest in that area of your garden, spray his face with water. Alternately, you can take a jar full of pebbles and shake it every time he goes near It. Neither will hurt the dog, but both will teach the dog that you do not want him going into that area or barking. You will need to put some effort in and doing this repeatedly until he undertands. If he learns not to go into the area the hedghog is in, he will most likely also stop barking at it ... well, that is if he isn't a jack russel or other terrier. They can be harder to disuade, lol. Just don't go hurting the hedgehog, please. It is not a rat, does no harm and you are very lucky to have one in your garden. Hedgehogs don't stink up the garden either, but the fact that it is there will be attracting your dog. If you keep throwing chemicals at the poor creature you will just make it very ill and it may end up dying a painful death. Then the body will stink and you will have a bigger problem. There is no need or justification to be cruel to these gentle creatures and honestly, you do not need to be afraid of them either. I have had ones I have rescued after they had been injured and they are perfectly safe and very gentle. You could also phone Tiggiwinkles, the hedgehog and wildlife hospital. I'm sure they would give you some advice on how to deal with this situation. Here is a link: www.sttiggywinkles

[Ratty2E]

Awww I wish I had a hedgehog. Please stop throwing jeyes at it you'll poison it and it I don't think it would be a very pleasant way to die. I assume you are an animal lover as you have a dog and wouldn't want to cause another animal to suffer.

[jules77]

I am baffled why you think throwing Jeyes fluid, bleach etc at it will make it disappear. Your dog wont bark when you are out as long as the dog is in the house.

[Connemmara]

the dog is out in the garden when I go out - yes he is a bl dy jack russell which are hunting dogs. Also because I am deaf I cannot always hear him barking outside whilst I am inside. Hopefully he will get used to the hedgehog and I do believe the hedgehog could move on if he is getting annoyance from the dog.

[lizzydrippin]

I also have been involved in Hedgehog rescue for many years and as Carakeel has pointed out , they are gentle and delightful creatures. However you deal with your dogs barking problem please don't let it involve injuring or hurting this totally harmless creature by repeating some of the mindless things you have been doing so far. Regardless of what the scent had turned out to be, throwing disinfectants and bleach etc at the area wouldn't make the slightest bit of difference other than making some creature very ill or giving it a painful death. Then as others have said, you would then have another problem with a scent that you would smell. Keep in mind also that the hedgehog may well have young in her nest, which would make it difficult for her to change nests as quick as you would prefer. They do tend to have more than one nest so I daresay she will move on when possible.

[RATTER15]

You thought it was a seal and it turned out to be a hedgehog, not that similar really!!!


Please either try to capture it and move it or leave it in peace, it will harm no one!

[Jemisa]

You said it looked like a Seal, How on earth does a Hedgehog look like a seal??
The size for a start, mmm! methinks there's something else out there. Ooooooo!

jem

[Connemmara]

for your interest that morning that I looked at my neighbour's decking - I had no glasses on hahhahaha

[ummmm]

You found out it was a hedgehog and you're still throwing chemicals at it?