If a strange dog attacks
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I carry a thing of pepper spray. I carry it always any way, but just in case on hikes and walks. I am also a master at breaking up dog fights, so I hope if this ever happens my skills come in handy. I keep a slip lead around my chest in the event I am alone and this ever happens, I can put my dogs leash down and get the offender off and back.
I have picked up my dog when they come running(my huge dobe Byron that time but figured the smaller dog wouldn't get near his neck or eyes even if he got his feet), I have kicked them.
Hasn't happened for a loooong time thank god. I'd do whatever I needed to make sure its my dog that comes out ok in the end though
Hasn't happened for a loooong time thank god. I'd do whatever I needed to make sure its my dog that comes out ok in the end though
If it's a real attack, I don't know how effective I'd really be. I always drop my dogs' leashes - partially because I want them to be able to get away, partially because I don't want to inhibit their ability to defend themselves by getting them wrapped up, and partially so my own hands are free. I've got one heck of a kick on me that I wouldn't be afraid to use.
Usually, I get off leash, rude dogs charging us - not dogs looking for a huge attack. Because Meg is so reactive (and because Gusto isn't, and I'd like to keep it that way), I do everything I can to keep them away. I throw food at the dog's face, since I usually have a pocket full of treats with me. I put my dogs behind me and stomp at the incoming dog and yell "git". I've kicked (nowhere near as hard as I'd kick if the dog really wanted to fight), with a comment to the owner that "I'm being a lot nicer than my dog will be".
Probably 80% of the time, treats raining down on them from heaven stops the dog enough for the owner to grab them.
Usually, I get off leash, rude dogs charging us - not dogs looking for a huge attack. Because Meg is so reactive (and because Gusto isn't, and I'd like to keep it that way), I do everything I can to keep them away. I throw food at the dog's face, since I usually have a pocket full of treats with me. I put my dogs behind me and stomp at the incoming dog and yell "git". I've kicked (nowhere near as hard as I'd kick if the dog really wanted to fight), with a comment to the owner that "I'm being a lot nicer than my dog will be".
Probably 80% of the time, treats raining down on them from heaven stops the dog enough for the owner to grab them.
I've never actually had a dog try to seriously attack us on a walk. Charge us or try to pick a fight, yes, but not attack. I've body blocked, yelled, kicked, and used my leather leashes as whips and smacked the other dog as hard as I could across the muzzle by the eyes.
If we were ever attacked, I'd probably drop my dogs' leashes and grab the offending dog by the hind legs, lift, and rotate until it's owner or another person could come grab it. Hopefully we'll never be seriously attacked by a dog out for blood. In all of the fights my childhood dogs got in to with other dogs, they were always mere "disputes" and typically all dogs walked away without any injuries besides mild scratches.
If we were ever attacked, I'd probably drop my dogs' leashes and grab the offending dog by the hind legs, lift, and rotate until it's owner or another person could come grab it. Hopefully we'll never be seriously attacked by a dog out for blood. In all of the fights my childhood dogs got in to with other dogs, they were always mere "disputes" and typically all dogs walked away without any injuries besides mild scratches.
I carry Pet Correct in my pocket. It is basically canned air & dogs do not like the sound of it. As backup, if Pet Correct didn't work, I have a small pepper spray cannister attached to the leash. I have used the sound aversion (Pet Correct) with success in stopping a dog approaching us but luckily have never had to use the pepper spray.
Never had a dog seriously attack us, I've been charged, once, when walking Abbey. I put Abbey behind me and advanced on the dog, bellowing at it to 'go home', which stopped that dog in her tracks. Abbey was happy to keep me between herself and the dog, so she wasn't an issue.
The owners were right out there to grab their dog and apologized. Not really their fault - we're a rural area, very few houses have fenced yards and walkers ARE a rarity. They weren't expecting someone to be walking a dog by their place.
The owners were right out there to grab their dog and apologized. Not really their fault - we're a rural area, very few houses have fenced yards and walkers ARE a rarity. They weren't expecting someone to be walking a dog by their place.
I have only ever once had a strange dog attack Frodo and I (in our old area, not the new one, where I have never seen a loose dog *knock on wood*) and of course it was at night and pitch black out.
I was really fortunate that someone driving down the road saw us and drove onto the curb, started blaring their horn, and opened their car door so I could throw Frodo inside. Startled the dog and he ran off. Normally I don't get *too* worried about off-leash dogs because Frodo is very reactive and most dogs start running up and then kinda stop like "Woah buddy, what's your problem?!" and then run away. With this dog there wasn't any slowing down, any stiffness or posturing, it literally just ran up and went for Frodo, all business. Scariest thing ever.
I was really fortunate that someone driving down the road saw us and drove onto the curb, started blaring their horn, and opened their car door so I could throw Frodo inside. Startled the dog and he ran off. Normally I don't get *too* worried about off-leash dogs because Frodo is very reactive and most dogs start running up and then kinda stop like "Woah buddy, what's your problem?!" and then run away. With this dog there wasn't any slowing down, any stiffness or posturing, it literally just ran up and went for Frodo, all business. Scariest thing ever.
It would really depend on the situation. Both of my dogs are more than capable of defending themselves, and have zero problem ripping into any dog that's looking for a fight. Most off leash dogs that come at us are usually small breeds, primarily very aggressive Chihuahuas, throwing themselves into Charlotte's jaws. I don't have to worry about these dogs killing my two based entirely on their sizes, but if I don't do something, those dogs are going to die. And no matter what, I don't like seeing animals get killed unless it's absolutely necessary.
In cases with small dogs attacking, it's usually my two I'm trying to calm down and gain control of. In the past I've given some small dogs some nice good kicks a few times, never hard enough to seriously hurt them, but enough to get the nasty little monsters to back off.
With big dogs, or dogs that are of equal strength it's another story. I always carry mace, or some form of self defense, but I've found in the past they aren't always effective with animals that are seriously out to **** someone up. If I'm alone, and the mace or tazer I have doesn't work, than God help us. I'd probably end up dropping the leashes so my dogs were fully able to defend themselves and do everything in my power to get the attackers to back off.
Again, I'd NEVER go so far as to kill another dog, unless it was completely necessary.
In cases with small dogs attacking, it's usually my two I'm trying to calm down and gain control of. In the past I've given some small dogs some nice good kicks a few times, never hard enough to seriously hurt them, but enough to get the nasty little monsters to back off.
With big dogs, or dogs that are of equal strength it's another story. I always carry mace, or some form of self defense, but I've found in the past they aren't always effective with animals that are seriously out to **** someone up. If I'm alone, and the mace or tazer I have doesn't work, than God help us. I'd probably end up dropping the leashes so my dogs were fully able to defend themselves and do everything in my power to get the attackers to back off.
Again, I'd NEVER go so far as to kill another dog, unless it was completely necessary.
We've never had a true attack. Usually just a curious dog. Normally friendly enough that I'm busy trying to catch the dog to take home with me in order to find its owner. I'd hate to think if one of my dogs walked up to someone looking for help to get home that they would scream at them and let them keep wandering.
If an owner is with the dog and it charges at us (in a friendly way or not) I stomp and yell. That's usually sufficient. I always carry treats that I could throw if needed. And I'm not against kicking if I had to. Never had to yet.
If an owner is with the dog and it charges at us (in a friendly way or not) I stomp and yell. That's usually sufficient. I always carry treats that I could throw if needed. And I'm not against kicking if I had to. Never had to yet.
Yeah, we carry but not mace! It would have to be pretty bad for me to kill a dog but there is no question if its that bad.
I guess I've been lucky its only ever been snappy little tiny terriers to come after us. I do always try to pick my dog up when another comes running but if it was a big dog that's going to take us both done that likely wouldn't be an option.
I guess I've been lucky its only ever been snappy little tiny terriers to come after us. I do always try to pick my dog up when another comes running but if it was a big dog that's going to take us both done that likely wouldn't be an option.
If I'm alone, I always try to make friends with any wandering dog that seems friendly - to the point where I've driven several to police stations to check and see if there was a missing dog called in. But with my reactive dog on leash? Like I said, me chasing that dog off is nicer than letting Meg do it.
I'm not sure how I'd react. How I think I would react to a situation and how I actually react if it happens are sometimes not the same thing.
I've only actually had this happen a couple of times... once, when I had my old Roxy girl, I was walking her on leash and a pair of small dogs came roaring out of an open front door and one jumped up and latched on to her loose neck skin. It was quite a long time ago but as I remember it I basically grabbed it by its scruff like a cat, which startled it, then I tossed it back into its yard and the owner got control of it.
The second was at the dog park, there is a dog there who is kind of a bully and will charge some dogs barking furiously. I'd seen that dog many times with Pip and didn't know that he would do this because he always ignored Pip, but that day I was with Squash and he tried it a couple of subsequent times to Squash as well. Anyway, the first time it happened fortunately Squash just ran away and the dog gave up chasing him. A couple of times after that I just body blocked and yelled him off as soon as I saw him perk up at catching sight of us.
If I were on a walk... I would probably drop the leash as a start. I usually walk with a second leash, and I suppose I would try to lasso the other dog around the waist and attach it to something, then get my dog out of it. Fortunately Pip and Maisy seem to give off some serious personal bubble vibes and Squash is big and intimidating enough, or we're just lucky, that it hasn't been a problem.
I've only actually had this happen a couple of times... once, when I had my old Roxy girl, I was walking her on leash and a pair of small dogs came roaring out of an open front door and one jumped up and latched on to her loose neck skin. It was quite a long time ago but as I remember it I basically grabbed it by its scruff like a cat, which startled it, then I tossed it back into its yard and the owner got control of it.
The second was at the dog park, there is a dog there who is kind of a bully and will charge some dogs barking furiously. I'd seen that dog many times with Pip and didn't know that he would do this because he always ignored Pip, but that day I was with Squash and he tried it a couple of subsequent times to Squash as well. Anyway, the first time it happened fortunately Squash just ran away and the dog gave up chasing him. A couple of times after that I just body blocked and yelled him off as soon as I saw him perk up at catching sight of us.
If I were on a walk... I would probably drop the leash as a start. I usually walk with a second leash, and I suppose I would try to lasso the other dog around the waist and attach it to something, then get my dog out of it. Fortunately Pip and Maisy seem to give off some serious personal bubble vibes and Squash is big and intimidating enough, or we're just lucky, that it hasn't been a problem.
Yeah, I mean, if the offending dog has one of mine in a death grip, I've done everything I can to get them to let go, and it looks like my dog is going to die if something doesn't happen immediately...then yes. I wouldn't be proud of myself, but I'd kill them. But I can't stand people that go into an all out hysterical blind panic and just pull out a knife and start stabbing as a first reaction.
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I don't believe I've ever been in a real fight with Roxie, but she has been attacked. If its a full on ball of fur scuffle, I usually am able to grab Roxie by the collar and waist and pull her up and out of it, then kick the other dog away.
Most times though, Roxie defends herself until I can get the other dog away. She just stands up on her hind legs, mouth open, clawing at the other dog. Roxie is good at keeping dogs off of her, never redirects, and is pretty calm about it. She has never injured another dog, although she has pretty thin skin so has come back bleeding a bit once or twice.
I always carry citronella spray now, so any loose dogs get that in the face and go away. I also have pepper spray, but have never used it and only carry it on hikes. Haven't had any Simba vs Scar moments since I started carrying the citronella.
However, if I am able to tie Roxie to something, I will grab a loose dog if there's absolutely no one around that claims it. I usually do have a few treats and this cheap little slip lead in my pocket just in case. I mean, I have to call the cops and have them come pick the dog up since I can't take it with me, but at least it won't get hurt.
Oh... If a dog is trying to kill Roxie, it's dead. I hate having to even spray dogs with the citronella, but Roxie is mine. I will kill a hellhound if I've got to. I'd prefer to choke it off of Roxie and run for our lives, but if I can't then I will do anything I can.
Most times though, Roxie defends herself until I can get the other dog away. She just stands up on her hind legs, mouth open, clawing at the other dog. Roxie is good at keeping dogs off of her, never redirects, and is pretty calm about it. She has never injured another dog, although she has pretty thin skin so has come back bleeding a bit once or twice.
I always carry citronella spray now, so any loose dogs get that in the face and go away. I also have pepper spray, but have never used it and only carry it on hikes. Haven't had any Simba vs Scar moments since I started carrying the citronella.
However, if I am able to tie Roxie to something, I will grab a loose dog if there's absolutely no one around that claims it. I usually do have a few treats and this cheap little slip lead in my pocket just in case. I mean, I have to call the cops and have them come pick the dog up since I can't take it with me, but at least it won't get hurt.
Oh... If a dog is trying to kill Roxie, it's dead. I hate having to even spray dogs with the citronella, but Roxie is mine. I will kill a hellhound if I've got to. I'd prefer to choke it off of Roxie and run for our lives, but if I can't then I will do anything I can.
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We've had a lot of dogs run up to us, luckily most are friendly or at least wise enough to stay away from the red monster at the end of the leash. If we see a dog off leash we do an immediate u-turn and hope it didn't notice us if I have Talon. With Art, if it's obviously friendly we will often see if it has tags.
The ones we've run into that charge us are usually not out for blood, thank god. Most of the "scuffles" we've gotten into because of off-leash dogs have been very minor luckily, no injuries.
I think the only time it wasn't minor was the corgi that attacked both Talon and I. It only ended in a few injuries to Talon and I, but I account that to me being able to grab Talon and pick him up high really quickly, and the dog being short. That dog went straight for Talon's neck and caused a few deep gashes to his face (as he lunged away and was picked up) and rear. My wound was from redirection I think, or a missed jump at Talon as I picked him up. Probably wasn't the "right" choice, but it was the only thing I could think of in the moment.
If we see a dog off leash we do an immediate u-turn and hope it didn't notice us if I have Talon. With Art, if it's obviously friendly we will often see if it has tags. The ones we've run into that charge us are usually not out for blood, thank god. Most of the "scuffles" we've gotten into because of off-leash dogs have been very minor luckily, no injuries.
I think the only time it wasn't minor was the corgi that attacked both Talon and I. It only ended in a few injuries to Talon and I, but I account that to me being able to grab Talon and pick him up high really quickly, and the dog being short. That dog went straight for Talon's neck and caused a few deep gashes to his face (as he lunged away and was picked up) and rear. My wound was from redirection I think, or a missed jump at Talon as I picked him up. Probably wasn't the "right" choice, but it was the only thing I could think of in the moment.
Yah, most of the loose dogs I've encountered was with my childhood dogs who were very DR/DA. An 85lb Labrador and a 60lb Lab mix don't care how friendly and nice your dog is, if it comes near them, they will try to eat it. Most of the dogs that bombed us were due to territory things (country setting, we'd be walking on a back road and passing that dog's yard so it would come out and bark/advance until we reached the edge of its property - typically wasn't an issue unless they got too full of themselves and came at us), but at times we had friendly dogs come up and I had to be just as forceful with them to keep my dogs from going after them. Super friendly dogs with no respect for an already growling/posturing dog are almost worse than the territorial driven ones when your'e walking DR/DA dogs.