I misplaced my cannister of dog deterent spray (not pepper spray, but a product specifically for detering dogs) and went to the Petsmart to buy a new one (I bought one there a year ago). So I ask a clerk where they are, and she reacts with mild but obvious distaste and asks why I need it. I tell her I take it on walks in case of (and here I was very, very polite and euphomistic) "dogs who have less recall than their owners belive" and tell her I bought it at this same store before. She shrugs, says they may have carried it a limited time, and I should try online. I tell her I'll try Petco.
So on to Petco. Where again, no spray. And again, a mild but clear attitude from the clerk. This one also asks me why I want it (I don't know about you, but I've never been grilled about why I want to buy a brush or a leash), and when I, slightly blunter, tell her that I and my dog have been jumped by too many loose aggressive dogs, she responds that some woman in Pennsylvania had pepper spray when she was attacked, and her dog was still killed. The message there being what? I wanted to ask her. Instead of dog spray, maybe I should carry a bib, so any dog that attacks us doesn't get blood on itself? I did not say this, of course.
My question here is, what in the heck is wrong with these people? I'm shopping for something to help protect my dog, the same as if I was looking for flea shampoo or a leash. I know a lot of people who carry some sort of spray or a pocketknife, just in case. I never used to, but over 30 years, I've had 3 serious attacks on 2 dogs, and the last time, I nearly lost my dog. I don't overestimate what I can do to stop an attack by a truly determined dog, but I want to have *something* I can use to at least try. And I get this superior attitude by clerks at the same 'pet-friendly' stores where I've stopped taking my dog because there is always at least one aggressive larger dog being allowed to terrorize entire aisles, without any action by store employees? It's crazy.
On a related note - anyone have a good source or reccomendation for dog spray? Bear in mind, I'm not going to use this to zap an eager Beagle or a bumptious Lab. Believe me, I'm not looking to hurt innocent dogs. This is only for a serious attack.
So on to Petco. Where again, no spray. And again, a mild but clear attitude from the clerk. This one also asks me why I want it (I don't know about you, but I've never been grilled about why I want to buy a brush or a leash), and when I, slightly blunter, tell her that I and my dog have been jumped by too many loose aggressive dogs, she responds that some woman in Pennsylvania had pepper spray when she was attacked, and her dog was still killed. The message there being what? I wanted to ask her. Instead of dog spray, maybe I should carry a bib, so any dog that attacks us doesn't get blood on itself? I did not say this, of course.
My question here is, what in the heck is wrong with these people? I'm shopping for something to help protect my dog, the same as if I was looking for flea shampoo or a leash. I know a lot of people who carry some sort of spray or a pocketknife, just in case. I never used to, but over 30 years, I've had 3 serious attacks on 2 dogs, and the last time, I nearly lost my dog. I don't overestimate what I can do to stop an attack by a truly determined dog, but I want to have *something* I can use to at least try. And I get this superior attitude by clerks at the same 'pet-friendly' stores where I've stopped taking my dog because there is always at least one aggressive larger dog being allowed to terrorize entire aisles, without any action by store employees? It's crazy.
On a related note - anyone have a good source or reccomendation for dog spray? Bear in mind, I'm not going to use this to zap an eager Beagle or a bumptious Lab. Believe me, I'm not looking to hurt innocent dogs. This is only for a serious attack.
