With golden retrievers– and most dogs– it takes one encounter like this to break them of harrying skunks.
However, the great golden boxer had a penchant for throttling skunks. Consequences be damned.
There are always a few dogs that don’t mind being skunked, and my grandpa had a Norwegian elkhound/collie cross that would do the same thing.
For those who have not smelled it before, I cannot fully describe the odor that comes from a skunk’s glands. It is of a very entirely quality when you drive past a dead skunk along the highway than when you get the actual substance on you.
Thanks to the skunk-killing golden boxer, I actually know what that stuff smells like when it hits your body. The smell is something you just simply cannot imagine until you experience it. And your nose will run and your eyes will water.
Most dogs can’t stand that treatment. One projectile spray of that stuff in the face, and they’ll never do it again.
But it never stops some dogs.
Having had a couple of dog/skunk incidents, I can verify that they are to be avoided, if possible! Because of that, I have always thought doggy toy manufacturers that make toy skunks for dogs to play with obviously are idiots–WHY would you train/encourage your dog to go for anything with that distinctive color pattern???!!!
Hope that dog in the picture didn’t get attacked by that skunk (since skunks that emerge during daylight hours usually carry rabies).
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