You let your dog outside for some fresh air, and suddenly you hear barking and hissing. Your dog has come face to face with a raccoon in your garden. In that moment, your heart skips a beat. You want to keep your pet safe and stop the animal from causing trouble.

So, what do you do if this happens? The truth is, these encounters can be dangerous. Dogs are curious and may get too close, while raccoons defend themselves fiercely. That’s why protecting pets from raccoon attacks is so important. Quick action keeps your dog safe and lowers the risk of injuries or disease.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Oshawa, we know how stressful these situations are for families. Humane raccoon removal is what we do every day. Our role is to keep pets safe while guiding homeowners with smart prevention. 

In this article, we’ll share what to do if your dog comes face to face with a raccoon in the garden, plus practical ways to prevent it from happening again.

Why Dogs and Raccoons Clash

Dogs are playful and curious. If they see a raccoon, they may bark, chase, or try to fight. To a raccoon, this feels like a threat. Even if the dog only wants to play, the raccoon is likely to defend itself with sharp claws and teeth.

You should remember that these animals are not harmless. They may carry diseases that can spread through bites, scratches, or saliva. Protecting pets from raccoon attacks is not just about avoiding injuries. It’s also about stopping possible health risks.

What To Do In The Moment

When your dog and a raccoon cross paths, your first reaction matters. Here’s how to handle the situation:

• Stay Calm: If you panic, your dog will too. Speak firmly but calmly.
• Call Your Dog Back: Use a strong recall command like “come” or “here.” Reward your dog for listening.
• Keep Distance: Never try to separate them with your hands. That puts you at risk.
• Make Noise From Afar: Clap, bang pots, or use a loud voice to scare the raccoon away.

Once your dog is inside, check for any bites or scratches. Even small wounds matter and should be looked at by a vet.

Signs Your Dog May Be Hurt

Sometimes injuries are easy to see, but other times they are hidden. Watch for:

• Cuts, scratches, or bleeding
• Limping or favouring a leg
• Swelling around the face or body
• Sudden tiredness or acting unlike themselves

If you see these signs, call your vet right away. Protecting pets from wildlife means acting fast when danger shows up.

Why Raccoons Wander Into Gardens

You may wonder why this keeps happening. These animals are smart and always searching for food or shelter. Gardens often give them both. Common reasons include:

• Open garbage bins or compost piles
• Fruit trees dropping food on the ground
• Pet food left outside
• Easy access to sheds, decks, or attics

By knowing what attracts them, you can start protecting pets from wildlife in smarter ways.

How To Prevent Encounters In The First Place

Stopping a problem before it starts is always easier. Humane raccoon removal in Oshawa often begins with a full inspection of your home and yard. At Skedaddle, we identify what is attracting animals and remove those risks in safe, humane ways.

• Secure Garbage: We recommend and install proper bins with tight lids so raccoons can’t get easy meals.
• Clean Up Food Sources: Our team advises on outdoor food issues, like fallen fruit or leftover pet food, and ensures problem spots are taken care of.
• Block Access Points: We seal spaces under decks, sheds, or porches so raccoons can’t move in.
• Remove Shelter Spots: Weak areas around sheds and rooflines are repaired by our team to cut off hidden entry.

These steps reduce visits from wildlife and keep your dog safer — all handled by professionals trained to protect your property.

Protecting Pets From Wildlife in Your Yard

Even with prevention, you still want peace of mind that your dog is safe outside. That’s why Skedaddle focuses on long-term raccoon-proofing methods. Our team makes changes to your yard and home that reduce encounters before they happen.

• Supervised Outdoor Time: We guide families on how and when to let pets outside, and explain warning signs of nearby animals.
• Motion Lights: We recommend and can set up lighting that discourages animals from coming close at night.
• Secure Fencing: Our team reviews your property and advises on fencing or other barriers that create stronger protection.
• Recall Training Support: We share safety guidance with pet owners so their dogs respond quickly in case of surprise encounters.

These actions build a safer space for your pet and cut down on surprise meetings — without leaving the work to homeowners alone.

Health Risks You Need To Know

It’s not just scratches and bites you need to worry about. These animals can carry diseases that affect both pets and people. Some of the most common risks include:

• Rabies: A serious disease spread by bites.
• Roundworm: Eggs can be found in droppings and contaminate soil.
• Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection spread through urine.

This is why protecting children and pets from wildlife should always be a top priority. If you think your dog had close contact, speak with your vet.

When To Call For Help

Sometimes, prevention isn’t enough. If you see these signs, it’s time to reach out for humane raccoon removal in Oshawa:

• Strange noises in the attic, chimney, or walls
• Damage to vents, rooflines, or siding
• Droppings in or around your home
• Regular visits to your yard, even during the day

Calling early keeps your family, pets, and home safe.

Practical Tips For Everyday Safety

You don’t need to live in fear of wildlife. Simple habits keep your dog safer every day:

• Put away toys and food bowls after playtime.
• Take your dog out on a leash at night.
• Teach children to stay away from wild animals.
• Fix weak spots around your home quickly.

Protecting pets from raccoon attacks becomes easier when these habits are part of your routine.

Humane Wildlife Control Makes The Difference

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we believe in safe, humane solutions. We don’t rely on trapping or relocation, which can harm animals. Instead, we use one-way doors that allow animals to exit but not come back in. This protects both wildlife and your home.

Our team also knows where to look for hidden entry points. By sealing these areas, we stop problems from happening again. Humane raccoon removal in Oshawa is about more than just today—it’s about keeping your property safe for the future.

Protecting Pets Means Acting Early

Every day you wait, the risk of another face-off grows. Protecting pets from wildlife takes planning and the right support. You can lower risks with prevention, but when animals push closer to your home, you need experts to step in.

Acting early means fewer chances for your dog to get hurt and less stress for your family. When you bring in trained help right away, problems are solved before they become bigger or harder to control. 

At Skedaddle, we respond quickly, seal entry points, and make sure your property is safe for both people and pets. Taking steps now gives you peace of mind and keeps your pets safe where they belong — in their own yard without surprise encounters.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Dog Safe, Call The Experts

When your dog meets a raccoon in the garden, you need to act fast to keep them safe. Protecting pets from raccoon attacks is about more than that one moment—it’s about planning ahead and making sure it doesn’t happen again. With humane raccoon removal in Oshawa, our team can handle the problem safely.

If you’re worried about protecting pets from wildlife around your home, reach out today. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Oshawa to request an estimate and learn more about how we can help.