Help! Hedgehog in the garden - dogs

[SaraJH]

I've just been out to fetch the dogs in and they were all VERY interested in a patch of lawn. I went over to take a look and they were surrounding a little hedgehog.

I shooed them back inside and took a torch out to inspect little hoggie. S/he is curled into a ball but breathing and seems fine.

I had no idea that we had a hog in the garden and I'm worried about the dogs upsetting it? I'll have an inspection before I let them out tomorrow morning but is there anything I can/ should do to make sure that hoggie is safe from them?

[Guest]

Can you hoof it into a neighbours garden. Dogs will play up to be let out to get to it unfortunately. Dogs and hogs don't tend to be a good pairing

[SaraJH]

Here is a pic of the little ball of spines

[SaraJH]

Can you hoof it into a neighbours garden. Dogs will play up to be let out to get to it unfortunately. Dogs and hogs don't tend to be a good pairing

Hmmm, all the neighbours have dogs. But we are in a rural area so perhaps I could move it to the fields backing onto the far end of the cul de sac? Are hogs solitary creatures? I wouldn't be separating it from family would I?

[Scarlet]

Mine slept in the same room as the dog. Perhaps it depends on what they are like? A dish of water and some tinned dog food (or better still - cat food, no fish flavours) would go down a treat.

[Baldy]

Can you work out if the hedgehog visits at particular times - or is it based in your garden.

[SaraJH]

I've just been back outside and she has scuttled off somewhere (definitely a she as I have named her Mrs Wiggywinkle)
I don't think I'm going to leave anything out as I'd like her to find somewhere else where she doesn't have 3 inquisitive terriers invading her private space!
I'll have second thoughts if she reappears lol

[Guest]

^^^Nice to hear someones dog isn't fussed. My old dog just used to want to take them to his bed, but I didn't let him so he still played up.

He (the hog, not anyones dog) should be fine in a field they can cover a lot of ground in one night.

[SaraJH]

Can you work out if the hedgehog visits at particular times - or is it based in your garden.

I've no idea Baldy if she is lodging here but now I've spotted her I'll take a lot more care to keep a watch and see whether I can establish any patterns. I absolutely adore hedgehogs so want to do the best to protect her from my home based predators.

[Bigmallly]

I'm sure your hog will be fine Sara, this vid may give you some construction ideas if you wish to keep her/him around:

[Scarlet]

^^^Nice to hear someones dog isn't fussed. My old dog just used to want to take them to his bed, but I didn't let him so he still played up.

He (the hog, not anyones dog) should be fine in a field they can cover a lot of ground in one night.

My dogs have spent nights with chickens, turkeys, rabbits! owls, shrews and weasels too. The kids didn't get on with the cockeral too much and the dogs know which side their bread is buttered on

[SaraJH]

Oh BM that video is awesome! Our dogs were displaying the same behaviours as the fox, inquisitive and not sure.
I am definitely going to look into constructing (aka buying, lazy moi?) a hog house, think I'll put it in with the veggies that are protected from the dogs by a picket fence. That way she can get some peace but also has access through the picket to go hunting. It will be there in case she or any of her mates need it.

I'm feeling very maternal over little hog, for the first time in my 46 year life lol

I did chuckle at the cat (I think) in the right hand corner of the video, old sly foxy didn't spot it for a while!

[Bigmallly]

They may also help if you have a slug or snail problem:

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