How to deal with aggressive neighborhood dogs?

[skyeboxer]

Have you tried scooping up a handful of small stones or pebbles and lobbing them at the slavering monsters? Even if you aim to miss dogs seem to get that message quick - at least round here. 'Course there's always the possibility they'll remember you were the one that chucked stones at them and lay in wait to peg you by surprise next time.

 

[Bahamutt99]

That's why dog ownership is under attack. People believe the dogs have more rights than humans. Rather than expecting the owner to take control, some advocate walking elsewhere? Dogs are everywhere! Keep up that lax attitude and pretty soon not you'll only be able to walk in your own driveway. And eventually, people are going to get tired of that kind of behavior anyway and call for bans.

 

[oriondw]

That's why dog ownership is under attack. People believe the dogs have more rights than humans. Rather than expecting the owner to take control, some advocate walking elsewhere? Dogs are everywhere! Keep up that lax attitude and pretty soon not you'll only be able to walk in your own driveway. And eventually, people are going to get tired of that kind of behavior anyway and call for bans.

The kind of behavior that is described in this post only happens in rural areas.
In suburbs and cities, this is not common at all.

Certainly dogs running loose in a city is a liability, but on a farmland that is acceptable in my opinion.

My way of scaring off other dogs is to walk with my dog.

 

[ToscasMom]

1. Run somewhere else
2. Stop running and do something else.

Society has NO intention of adapting to dogs. They expect dogs to adapt to society. There is no way animals will ever take precedence over the convenience of humans, they simply do NOT love our dogs. WE love them. The rest of the public has no feelings about them when it comes to their own safety. We sometimes forget that and we develop this kind of "You adapt to the dogs" thought process. This type of thought process results in horrible laws against animals because people become fed up and they take charge of that which they no longer want to put up with. These types of suggestions will never be considered an option for the public at-large. We must face that.

 

[Brattina88]

Also I dont consider dog running at me and barking as "attacking". Im just not that easily spooked.
....

My way of scaring off other dogs is to walk with my dog.

yes, and yes.
I'm a little unnerved to see that many people are willing to quickly spray a dog without hesitating. I think the 'aggressive behavior' needs to be defined, because as orion said, I don't see a dog running at me and barking as attacking/warranting a spray...
I wasn't going to add my 2cents to this thread, because I don't have much experience with this. There has only been one dog that has ever followed through with the growling/running/barking show and attacked. [It was a little shih tzu thing - I picked Maddie up and pushed it away with my foot. (and yes, it did bite me )]
When I'm walking Missy, I don't worry about aggressive dogs. I've never met one that will intentionally approach for a fight. I've had some noise, and bluffing, but that's as far as it needs to go... Dogs aren't stupid. Even 'dog aggressive pit bulls'
When I'm walking Maddie, I do feel a need to protect her, but she gets along with just about every dog. Even the aggressive ones that can't be around any dogs, Maddie tends to get along with them. She's good at reading them, and reacting accordingly. But I step forward and scare the dog off. This can be done by yelling, stomping feet, kicking rocks, the like
A couple times I've when approached by questionable behavior, I've taken my dog's leash off, and basically used the reverse end as a noose to contain the loose dog, and then walked as all home. Really.



all IMHO, of course

 

[Love That Collie]

To all of you who have not encountered an aggressive dog in your past, that's great. I hope you never do. But it's too late when you let an aggressive dog get too close to you. Some dogs only run back and forth in front of their own homes and don't go out into the street to PURSUE someone but there are those that do with all their might.

Spraying a dog does not hurt them long term. Makes them mighty uncomfortable for a while though giving you enough time to get away. Personally I use what our police department uses. If I have to spray a dog I don't just want to **** the dog off I want it to STOP where it is when I aim and spray. You have no idea what size and personality of a dog that you will meet up with at any given time. Owners are responsible in making certain that their dogs are good citizens. They are responsible for teaching them and if they don't then it's they who will be responsible as to whatever happens to their own dog and themselves.

And it's not that YOUR dog "gets along with just about every dog" IT'S does THAT approaching dog get along with other dogs???

And "kicking rocks" at and "stepping forward" is a good way to get yourself bitten. No eye contact and ignoring (while being highly aware) is a better approch but never blatant confortation unless you are prepared for it.

The bottom line is if as an owner you don't teach your dog not to do these things then keep it contained.

 

[RD]

I have aggressive (I would even go as far as to say unstable and vicious) dogs in my neighborhood. I don't have a massive dog to walk with that will defend itself and me from them. I will spray/hit/kick/throw rocks at these dogs every time they approach me. If I greet them with friendliness, they attack me (not just barking and growling, but lunging and charging). They will run after me to attack my dog. In fact, the only dogs they won't mess with are the other two dogs that live with me, who are fiercely protective of our property and would fight to the death with these intruders.

These are not small, harmless dogs, they're Rottweilers. I will NOT adjust my lifestile to suit these ill-behaved animals. I understand that this is a semi-rural neighborhood and some people like to let their dogs run loose, but aggressive dogs with a tendency to roam should not be allowed outside their yards without a leash, ever. I will defend myself and my dogs, even if it means inflicting pain on these dogs.

I get along quite well with every other dog in the neighborhood. All of them have gotten loose at some point and I know most by name. If I encounter them on my walks they'll often join us. If I see a "new" dog approaching us, I put my dog in a sit-stay and greet the dog first. If it's friendly, I leave it alone. If it's super-annoyingly friendly, I shoo it off.

I generally do give dogs a chance, don't think I go around beating up loose dogs. I just won't take chances with dogs that act aggressive, and the "bluffers" are no exception. If a dog feels the need to follow me on my walks, barking and growling, I will scare it off. If it can't be scared off, I'll spray it or chuck a small rock at it. I don't need stray dogs harrassing me.

I know it sounds like I really am not much of a dog lover... LOL. I am, but I don't have much tolerance for loose dogs that display aggression when they are off their territory. I don't subject my neighbors to MY barking/growling dog harrassing them on their walks, and I shouldn't be subjected to theirs.

 

[Bahamutt99]

So not only is it okay for dogs to be running loose as long as its not in the city -- in many rural areas, that's a good way to get your dog shot -- but now we're noosing "questionable" dogs of unknown health and temperament and taking them home? I just... Okay, I have to butt out of this one before I get myself in trouble. I can't see the reasoning behind either of those sentiments. To me it sounds like putting oneself and one's dog at risk in the name of being "fair" to other dogs and their irresponsible owners.

 

[Bobsk8]

The kind of behavior that is described in this post only happens in rural areas.
In suburbs and cities, this is not common at all.

Certainly dogs running loose in a city is a liability, but on a farmland that is acceptable in my opinion.

My way of scaring off other dogs is to walk with my dog.

That is not true. I have lived in many areas that are not rural, but cities and suburbs and you see it all the time.

 

[oriondw]

That is not true. I have lived in many areas that are not rural, but cities and suburbs and you see it all the time.

Just because YOU see it, doesnt make it common.

 

[Paige]

Are there a lot of random dogs that run up or just the same few? Personally I'd call animal control and ask them to pick up the dog(s). I wouldn't want to pepper spray a dog nor would I want to have to change my running route. I've encountered these sorts of dogs before too when running. The best I can do is either walk by them and ignore them or call for a professional to deal with the situation.

Good luck. I feel terrible for those wandering dogs. I'd be afraid that my pooch would get hit by a car if he was aloud to wander unsupervised.

 

[Julie]

Well I see loose dogs alot, and I live in a small city, definately not rural.
And I always carry pepperspray with me while walking my dog.
I don't like to be approached by strange dogs at all.....especially while walking with my dogs. I never know if I will end up in the middle of a dog fight, which has happened more than once. These people that let their dogs run loose should take their responsibility more seriously, if not they should have consequences as in tickets and fines! There is a leash law here, but sooo many people don't seem to care about that, or their dogs.
I also usually have to walk in the road too, because some owners tie their dogs on their front porches with long tieouts so they can just reach the road edge which means I can't use the sidewalk at all while passing their houses...try walking through a hyper untrained dog while tied to a porch.

Loose dogs are one of my biggest pet peeves.....

I also can understand dogs loose in rural areas, if they stay on their own property as I wouldn't trespass on others property. And I would expect the same respect in return. We will soon live in a very rural area, and my dogs will be unleashed some, but under supervision.... just like when we go to our summer camp.

 

[Paige]

I know what you mean.

My dog Bandit has gotten into a few dog fights with dogs that wander onto our property. We live on property but everywhere else has been developed into suberb around us. We often get strays coming into our pastures and bugging our horses. A yellow lab and a rotti mix came into the pasture the other day and were growling at the horses. My 40 pound dog was out there trying to protect what he consiters his livestock. I don't want either of my dogs, my horses, my friend's horses, or even those dogs to get hurt. I can't believe how stupid people can be with their animals.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Just so people are aware, raising your hand to throw any object will incite some dogs to get very serious.

I would deal with this issue with animal control if possible.

If NOT possible, I would be prepared to defend myself and my dog(s) if necessary.

 

[ACooper]

Ditto, there isn't a farm inside LaPorte city limits (not huge but population 30,000), but there are PLENTY of loose dogs in this city!
Dogs loose on somebodies farm, ya, ok it's their farm. Really, who would be jogging on someone elses farm anyway?? Dogs running loose down the road even in the country?? NO, it's hazardous to the dog even in the country if their are no joggers around for miles!!

 

[pipoface]

Thanks for the advice.

To the poster who said to give up running or run somewhere else...

You're obviously not a runner.

That said... I don't like harming animals either. And I wouldn't use pepper spray on a dog that was just barking at me. I would, however, use it on one that was ready to take a bite out of my leg. You know why? Because my other option would be to bring up charges against the owner for a dog assault (especially once I know the dog is vicious), and in my neck of the woods that's gonna get the dog put down. So if you were the dog, what would YOU prefer? Pepper spray in the nose or the death penalty?