Protecting yourself and your dog when walking if an aggressive dog comes after you?

1887 Views 20 Replies 16 Participants Last post by ddmarwitz, Jul 7, 2010

trisha2766

Discussion Starter · Apr 13, 2009

A lot of people around where we live have dogs, and some of them aren't so friendly. I haven't had anything really bad happen, but once when I was walking my puppy we had a dog, that seemed pretty aggressive, and tried to come after us. Luckily, it was pretty old and not very big but it did make me a little nervous. And I've now and then I've seen some dogs loose and been told about at least one that is not very friendly that gets out now and then.

If I see a dog loose repeatedly, I will report them - but that doesn't help me if I'm out with my dog and some other dog tries to attack us. I called the police and asked them what they would suggest, but they weren't very helpful. They said to call animal control, but again, that won't help me if a dog tried to attack us. They also said they didn't think pepper spray would work on dogs. Does anyone know if that is true?

Has anyone here had any bad situations with other dogs while walking yours? Any suggestions on how we can protect ourselves and our dogs?

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Inga

· #2 · Apr 13, 2009

There is a product called "Halt" that you can use but I warn you. It can fly in your own eyes and your dogs as well. If you use something like that you best be very careful how you spray it. I hate when dogs are out running loose. I HAVE had bad times with that. On one occasion a Westie ran out and bit my little rescue dog. I was furious and the owner was actually laughing.

That made me so mad.
Just a few weeks ago my pup was bit by a Golden Retriever. It is scary and I always worry that there will be a full out dog fight. Dogs when they fight are pretty scary and one can easily end up getting bit. When I see a dog up ahead, I try to assess if it is on leash if I cannot see then I change directions and go the other way.
I have been known to carry a cattle prod in case of emergencies but it sure isn't convenient. I have a friend who is an ACO that suggested that to me. It will knock just about any dog on it's behind so again, be extremely careful with it. Also If I were you I would call your local police and ask if they think it is alright, or call your ACO.
Good Luck. I hate LOOSE DOGS!

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ThoseWordsAtBest

· #3 · Apr 13, 2009

We carry the citronella spray and have used it twice to break up fights. We also have an air horn that we honk if we get charged. Two loose dogs charged Jack McCoy once, snapping teeth and snarling, and I stood in front of Jack, put my arm out, and let out a loud honk and they took off.

Ankaa

· #4 · Apr 14, 2009

There are so many loose dogs where we live that it's ridiculous. Most of them mind their own business, but there are a few that are territorial and/or aggressive. When we walk our dogs, we usually have Zita (chihuahua) on a leash (because she hates walks and triews to run home) and the other two are loose. When we see another dog we call ours back and leash them, and if the other dog approaches I'll take all the dogs and my mom will step forward and look mean and scary and usually yell something in Russian so the other dog runs off. If I'm walking by myself, I'll do that too, but it's hard with three dogs. My dog, Chewy, gets aggressive around other dogs because she has this illusion that she is massive and strong and has to be the boss of every dog around her. She has gotten into a few fights, but never actually hurt another dog. She was attacked as a pup and adolescent a few times so that probably is why she is such a control freak. Our other dogs are submissive, but Lola is an idiot (was that mean?) and annoys every single dog she encounters, and Zita is so small that a lot of dogs are fasinated with her and knock her around.

Some of the things I've heard as suggestions for keeping other dogs away is carrying and umbrella with a button that opens it quickly, and just opening it in their direction if they get close. Other things are a water pistol (no joke, but it doesn't work as well with determined dogs) a spray bottle with vinegar, and there are a lot of products you can buy.

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Pepper

· #5 · Apr 14, 2009

I would usually carry a walking stick when I think I'm going to be around loose dogs.

Smithcat

· #6 · Apr 14, 2009

Welcome to the world of the average Guide dog user.

When out together, I carry pepper spray, which has deterred all the attacks on my wifes Guide so far. When she is by herself, she carries her cane which unfolds in an instant, and she has used that to deter attacks when I am not with her.

We ALWAYS report ANY attack or harassment to both the Public Safety and Animal Control departments, so they have a database on the number of incidents that involve loose/repeat/aggressive dogs. Sometimes that is the only way to build a case against someone who constantly lets their dogs out unattended, which in our area is a violation of local laws and state statutes.

Keechak

· #7 · Apr 14, 2009

I think more and more that I should bring some kind of protection with me on walks. but if I didn't have anything with me I would probably first run toward the dog screeming at it and then if that didn't help I would start kicking it I guess. what else could you do. I will always walk with two dogs with me. if a fight did happen I would prefer my dogs to outnumber the attacker.

Raggs715

· #8 · Apr 14, 2009

I personally carry a heavy duty walking cane, if a dog that seems aggressive or is in my dogs personaly space any my pup is feeling in secrue (that mexican starte down look) ill push the other dog away with some force and tell it to go home... if its going to escalate i have no problem giveing the other dog a good shot to the nose to get him away, but that only happens to my golden retreiver (rip) i had to acually kick a dog in the nose charging her because she had bad hips... and i knew that dog was super aggresive... But these aggressive encounters are few and far between a walking stick is your best bet so you can keep the other dog at bay and use it if need be

FilleBelle

· #9 · Apr 14, 2009

I see a lot of walkers in my area travel with a stout stick or cane that has a tennis ball on one end. As I see it, this tool has several uses.

1) You can just wave it around and look threatening.
2) You can use it to come between dogs/pry dogs apart without putting your hands in a situation where they might get bitten.
3) You can thrust the tennis ball into snapping jaws, rendering them ineffective.
4) You can flip to the non-tennis ball side and start whacking away.

Raggs715

· #10 · Apr 14, 2009

Thats a good idea with the tennis ball i never thought of that, ill have to put one on my walking cane... thanks!

ThoseWordsAtBest

· #11 · Apr 14, 2009

Keechak said:
I think more and more that I should bring some kind of protection with me on walks. but if I didn't have anything with me I would probably first run toward the dog screeming at it and then if that didn't help I would start kicking it I guess. what else could you do. I will always walk with two dogs with me. if a fight did happen I would prefer my dogs to outnumber the attacker.

I know I'm supposed to protect her, and I do, but in a way I feel safer when I have my mutt with my little guy. She's a nasty scrapper and is very defensive. She'd never let any thing bad happen to any of her family. She has, in fact, saved my life once.

no1daddythepitbullfan

· #12 · Apr 14, 2009

Here's a simple suggestion. If a dog is charging you, stop walking, face it and wait for the dog to back off. If the dog continues charging and shows no signs of slowing down and gets to within arms length, you have the choice of using your feet. What else are you going to do? Let the dog bite you? That's only if you need to, dogs will understand that well. Hopefully you won't need to do that.

Inga

· #13 · Apr 14, 2009

no1daddythepitbullfan said:
Here's a simple suggestion. If a dog is charging you, stop walking, face it and wait for the dog to back off. If the dog continues charging and shows no signs of slowing down and gets to within arms length, you have the choice of using your feet. What else are you going to do? Let the dog bite you? That's only if you need to, dogs will understand that well. Hopefully you won't need to do that.

See the problem with that is I walk with my dogs. If the dog is aggressive in any way or even too exuberant I will have a full on dog fight involving my 2 Rottweilers and the offending dog. I usually do stand and try to assess the situation but on occasion... KICKING comes to mind. I have been lucky thus far, other then my dogs getting bit on a few occasions. I have not gotten bit my self and hope I never do. I like the stick with the tennis ball but honestly the cattle prod is lighter and quite effective. A big stick might be a problem when I am trying to walk to or more big dogs already. Good thoughts though.

chris_laliberte

· #14 · Apr 14, 2009

I guess there is one advantage of having a bully breed. I'm pretty sure my dog is stronger an 80% of the other dogs out there. A swift kick to the area where the hips meet the back legs should deter the dog enough to leave you alone.

trickaboo

· #15 · Apr 15, 2009

ive had an attempted attack on me and my pit. my dog is DA so he was trying to go at him too. the other dog was also a pit and hopeing the info i learned about pits being not human aggressive at all was true, i put myself in front of my dog and yelled at him no and put my hand out telling him to stop. they both kept growling and barking but i had mine on a body harness and held tight behind me and the other one would turn directions every time i put my hand in front of him. did that the whole way home. no fight happened and nobody got bit.

JustTess

· #16 · Apr 15, 2009

I thought about carrying a stick when we go to the park sometimes, but it looks a bit strange. There's just a few owners who keep their labs offleash and don't have great recall and once, an elderly boxer attacked Lola dragging a 9 year old behind him.

I try to put myself between danger and look mean unless the dog looks sickly mad. I have a purse to swing then! Sometimes when I spot trouble ahead, I will speak loudly and tell Lola we need to "Turn around because there is a loose dog ahead" so the owner's attention will focus on his/her dog.

chris_laliberte

· #17 · Apr 15, 2009

trickaboo said:
ive had an attempted attack on me and my pit. my dog is DA so he was trying to go at him too. the other dog was also a pit and hopeing the info i learned about pits being not human aggressive at all was true, i put myself in front of my dog and yelled at him no and put my hand out telling him to stop. they both kept growling and barking but i had mine on a body harness and held tight behind me and the other one would turn directions every time i put my hand in front of him. did that the whole way home. no fight happened and nobody got bit.

just because a dog may not be known as being human aggressive, you might still get bit.

Pitts are not know for being human aggressive, but if they are in a fight mode, they will bite anything that gets in their way. the same can be said for any dog really.

Sonn84

· #18 · Apr 15, 2009

I have/do carry a variety of things lol.

Big Stick
Baseball Bat
Pepper Spray (yeah have sprayed it in my own eyes in a panic when faced with my first attack not a fun experience)
Citronella spray (that did nothing for the dogs around here)
Walking cane

So far waving or banging the stick or metal ball bat has worked well for me.

trisha2766

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 15, 2009

Thanks! That's lots of great suggestions!

I've never heard of "Halt" or citronella spray. An air horn might be worth trying.

So pepper spray does work on dogs then?

I don't know about a stick or cane for me though. I'm not that big or strong so I don't know if I would be able to use it effectively. If I had no other choice I'd definitely try kicking, but I don't know if I'd be able to kick hard enough. I can just imagine the dog biting and latching on to my shoe!

Willowy

· #20 · Apr 16, 2009

They do give us mail carriers pepper spray. I guess it works....I've never used it (though I did discharge it in the general direction of a Lab that was being a jerk, I didn't actually hit him). My co-workers say it works. Our spray bottles have a nifty little feature that makes it impossible to spray ourselves in the face. I have sprayed it into my hand, yes, but the guard prevents face spraying. I can't remember the brand name.....I'll look next time I carry.

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