Speaking from personal experience, porcupines are not noctural. They are out and about at all times of the day. They don't move much at the best of times, they aren't fast. My vet's theory is that dogs can't stand being ignored. The first thing a porcupine does is turn it's back on a dog, like it's ignore it, so the dog much investigate. The area I live in is infested with them! We have made more trips to the vet for quill remove than I care to admit. A couple of them happened right in my yard!

Generally, if a dog gets into a porky more than once they will never stop. Kayleigh, I swear, actually seeks them out. She's awful and once her prey drive takes over, forget about her listening to anything! Some of my dogs got hit once and now avoid porkys.

I carry a pair of pliars with me on all my hikes, just in case. Sometimes they only get a few quills and I can pull them myself. Really bad quill incidents I go to the vet though.

I hope Max is feeling better soon.