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09-15-2009, 11:21 AM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southwest MN
Posts: 188
| What to Do with attack dogs on walks? I was just wondering what the best thing to do is if my 2 yorkies & I are approached by a mean dog on our walk. We were walking yesterday, and I'm sure I did everything wrong but I went with my gut reaction. A very large black dog of some kind came snarling around the corner of a backyard and I thought it was going to eat Buster & Bailey! I kind-of shreaked & yanked Buster & Bailey by their harnesses/leashes up into my arms & continued walking. I thought about standing up to the dog, but if I did that I think it would have bitten me or my yorkies. Buster & Bailey were not calm to say the least, and I was petrified that the dog was going to bite them or me. The dog's owners were outside & yelling at it, and the dog stopped a couple of feet from me, turned around, then came back towards me a few different times...it did not listen very well to its owners. I tend to take various routes around town so I don't get bored & neither do the pups. I shiver to think what would happen if I'm approached by a dog like that and its owners are not around. I think that had I not picked my furkids, that dog would have bitten them & not let go. Any suggestions on what to do if you're approached by a mean dog on a walk with your dog(s)?
__________________ Buster & Bailey's Mom |
Welcome Guest! | |
09-15-2009, 11:26 AM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama
Posts: 941
| I carry pepper spray. I bought it from the obedience school that Sadie and I go to. It's made for dogs. It won't do any permanent damage to the agressive dog but it will stop them. Thankfully I've never had to use it. I just won't take any chances! |
09-15-2009, 11:34 AM | #3 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 239
| I carry Halt ( Amazon.com: Halt! Dog Repellent 1.5 oz: Sports &... ). It was recommended to me by one of the postal workers who did my route. He said it works (its what they carry)... and while I thankfully have never had to use it I do carry it on my walks. |
09-15-2009, 11:39 AM | #4 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama
Posts: 941
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09-15-2009, 12:14 PM | #5 |
My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca.
Posts: 12,228
| Thank you for posting the link to Halt Dog Repellent. I just ordered it. I've had the pepper spray for a year now and haven't had to use it. I don't know just how long it's good for but the last one I had for just a few months and when I had to use it in TN. it just sputtered instead of spraying, then just quit. I figure I had better get another type of spray and carry it too just in case.
__________________ AZRAEL RAZAEL JILLI ANN |
09-15-2009, 12:36 PM | #6 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,601
| Quote:
That's a great tip thanks!!! I will be moving to a big suburban neighborhood in six months and I know some people let their dogs out even when they aren't suppose to. And some do get out from the back yard accidently. Where my fiance lives there are a lot of BIG dogs lovers. | |
09-15-2009, 12:39 PM | #7 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southwest MN
Posts: 188
| Thanks for the suggestions. I hate to carry stuff on walks since I like to run for part of the time as well (I make sure there are public trash cans on any route I go so I don't have to hold a filled poop bag for too long), but I may just have to get a fanny pack or something like it so I can keep a few things - something for my barking dogs, something for mean dogs, etc...thanks!
__________________ Buster & Bailey's Mom |
09-15-2009, 12:43 PM | #8 | |
Therapy Dog Donating Member | Quote:
They say to NEVER stare into the eyes of an attacking dog and if you are standing to stand very still and not move until the dog goes away. Easier said than done with two barking furbutts in your arms that's for sure..hence the Halt now.
__________________ Cynd, Izzy (Yorkie) & Cosmo (Biewer)(Secwetary & Charter Membwer of the Dirty FurKids Cwub)-Jusz say NO ta bein' cwean!)proud member of the CrAzYcLuB! ~The PINK club~SRC | |
09-15-2009, 12:46 PM | #9 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 239
| Quote:
The Mace company makes one "aimed" for dogs too. I believe it has a keychain (and I think a belt clip but don't hold me to that.) I've seen it, but since I can get Halt for a bit less and I don't know anyone who has used it I've never purchased it. | |
09-15-2009, 12:52 PM | #10 |
Therapy Dog Donating Member | Dame..sorry you had to use your spray but have you ever gotten screamed at by an owner of one that you have sprayed? My only worry now with this is if I ever have to use it and I hope I never do..will I get sued?
__________________ Cynd, Izzy (Yorkie) & Cosmo (Biewer)(Secwetary & Charter Membwer of the Dirty FurKids Cwub)-Jusz say NO ta bein' cwean!)proud member of the CrAzYcLuB! ~The PINK club~SRC |
09-15-2009, 01:09 PM | #11 |
Crazy Miss Daisy Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Eastern Washington
Posts: 1,904
| I would like to hear more on this subject as it is of great concern to me. This situation has come up a few times with my dog. People seem to think that leash laws don't apply to them. If it is a friendly dog that approaches, they can still playfully hurt a small dog. If you pick your dog up, (I only have one, but 2 or more would be difficult) the offending dog could jump up and knock you over. Since I walk in the early mornings before daylight, I usually take the stroller and let Daisy hop in if need be. I have a stun gun that I hope I will never have to use, but just in case I am threatened by a vicious dog. It would seem a good idea would be to scream and make some noise to get the attention of neighbors. However, I try not to do anything that would freak out my dog and create fear. I try to keep her socialized to other animals and people. I wish we could educate the public about loose dogs and the nuisance they are to the public. We are fortunate, in a way, because our little Yorkies are small enough to pick up and carry. What do others have to say?
__________________ Yorkie Talkin' with Paula & Daisy! |
09-15-2009, 01:21 PM | #12 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 239
| Quote:
I've never actually sprayed, I started carrying the Halt after getting attacked for what was the 5th time (by different dogs.) I do test my can every couple weeks to make sure it works though. If you ever find yourself in the position that you have to spray, I don't think the owners (if present) will exactly be happy. Generally its the irresponsible ones and they are never kind to people who disagree with their... methods. Would the interaction be pleasant between the two parties? I doubt it. I doubt anyone would sue you though, they would have no real grounds for it. None of the pepper based spray actually harm. They are just unpleasant, you could empty an entire can in the face of the dog and beyond being uncomfortable they wouldn't be harmed. I am pretty sure the spray has the approval of a couple different agencies (like the dept of agriculture or something.) There would be no real grounds for being sued, unless you're using it in malice... like going around and spraying people's dogs in the face for no reason. We do live in a somewhat messed up world, but no one is going to say "you cannot protect yourself from a dog thats attacking you in a non-harmful way." I carry the Halt for that reason.. because if you were to actually harm a dog that attacks you or your dog, the potential risk of being sued would potentially be real. There was a new article about a postal worker incident (Postal Service to probe Dexter dog spray case - Bangor Daily News) but its the first any only thing I've ever seen like that - and its because she got the child as well. It also seems to be blown somewhat out of proportion as well, since I doubt the postal worker said "let me spray the child's eyes as well" and the mother admits upfront that while her daughter complains and she hasn't slept well because of it (obviously meaning this happened on a Saturday and its been over 24 hours) she hasn't seen anyone past the EMT's on the scene. (Ok, I have to give her the fact that they talk about going to the ER Monday afternoon - but thats 48 hours + afterwards?) Had that been just the dog, I doubt very very much that anything would have happened because of it. There are thousands of postal workers that get bitten every year (and I am sure several thousand more that get avoided with things like Halt). I think if the risk was there the USPS wouldn't use it, and I think we'd definitely hear about someone being successful with it. | |
09-16-2009, 06:32 AM | #13 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southwest MN
Posts: 188
| I also have concern over what liability I may have if I have to use the spray. I haven't bought one yet, because I need to feel comfortable that I won't be at fault if I use it. We live in a world where burglars can sue the homeowners that they were robbing, so I'm not sure that there's no liability if carrying & having to use Halt. Although, I'd rather have my dogs & myself all in one piece if a mean dog confronts us. Thanks for the posts!
__________________ Buster & Bailey's Mom |
09-16-2009, 06:34 AM | #14 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southwest MN
Posts: 188
| Quote:
__________________ Buster & Bailey's Mom | |
09-16-2009, 06:42 AM | #15 | |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,317
| Quote:
I use Muzzle, Mace's brand of pepper spray for dogs. It is on a chain so I attach it to the leash. Amazon.com: Mace Brand Muzzle Dog Repellent... You were very lucky that the dog didn't attack you once you picked your Yorkies up. | |
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