Protection against loose dogs?

[Isabella2009]

Originally Posted by Jasper Jax

Wow that is a scary thought, I never thought of that hunting instinct...my husband has toyed with the idea of getting a large breed puppy for himself while Jasper is still a puppy so they can grow up together...should I convince him not to?

For years, we were a three dog, two dog family. Each dog was introduced (for some reason unknown) at the age of five years. The last dog was a small Pomeranian.

Our dogs were an over 30 lbs mutt, a Bichon, and then the Pomeranian. We had no trouble whatsoever with the 'mix'. They all played with one another. The Pom knew enough to kind of roll under the other dogs when playing....All dogs lived to be at least 17 years old.

"Yorkies' somehow seem 'different. Aren't Golden Retrievers gentle? Just a thought...

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Isabella2009

Aren't Golden Retrievers gentle? Just a thought...

They can be, but just like any dog, an untrained and improperly cared for dog can be problematic. Golden Retrievers are among the dogs that have been jumping on me during our walks.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Best deterrent is a large breed TRAINED dog. Second best is a Stroller of some type, If a dog comes flying at you, most likely you will not have time to grab the mace and spray accurately. JMHO.
The Yorkie believes that she is the guardian...she treats him, all 125 pounds like her son.

I agree with you about the mace and a large breed TRAINED dog. When I had my 85-pound Airedale, I feared nothing on our walks. She protected me and was sturdy enough to withstand a few scuffles that required stitches. However, a large dog is out of the question for me right now.

[diane boden]

Originally Posted by PiePiper

I always walk Piper at a State Park where all dogs are to be leashed. When I'm walking I'm always keeping my eyes peeled for the one dog who happens to be not leashed or has gotten away from their owner and doesn't come when called. It seems that if there is a loose dog in the park they come right for Piper. Last year I saw a Doberman coming towards us with its leash dragging behind him and his owner running and yelling behind him. I scooped up Piper just as the Doberman reached us. It seems as though as soon as you pick up your little one a larger dog will start jumping for it. I'm only 5'1" and when you having a large dog jumping on you it's not good. This Doberman is jumping and Piper is trying to climb on my head to get away. The Doberman is going in circles around me, jumping, and now I'm wrapped in its leash. Meanwhile the owner is yelling it's all right, he won't hurt you, he just wants to play. I'm thinking if I go down that THING is going to kill Piper. Finally the owner gets to me and gets his dog under control and again tells me he wouldn't have hurt me or my dog. Somehow I just did not believe him. When a dog is snapping its teeth in your face, its not being friendly. Always be aware of whats around you when you're are out walking. I'm convinced that if I hadn't scooped up Piper that Doberman would have killed her. Friendly or Not.

I can fully sympathise with what happened to you and your little one. Two weeks ago I had just started out on a walk with my two when I spotted two boys outside their house about to start their paper round, one had accidently let their staffie out and was trying to get it back inside. As soon as she saw my two she moved towards them, I shouted HEY while scooping them up and she backed off, but not for long she came back a second time, circling me and growling, she suddenly moved in to jump and I instinctivley swung my leg and tapped her on her flank with my food CM style. It stopped her in her tracks and she ran back to the boys. They weren't happy I'd 'Kicked' their dog, I said would you rather See your dog tear mine apart?
Its against the law in this country to have a dog off leash in a public place and I explained the consiquences to their pet if she'd attacked. Think I might of got through.

[mercyme]

From what you've described, it sounds like there's a real problem with unleashed dogs where you live.

I guess the only real "solution" is to be hyper-aware of your surroundings at all times, maybe invest in a stroller for your dogs, as suggested by others here, and always carry a spray-type dog repellent with you on walks.

I do not think it is mean or cruel to fight off an unleashed dog to protect your vulnerable little ones.

Frequent calls to animal control might help the problem as well.

Good luck !!!!

[Nancy1999]

I've always wondered how hard it would be to spray mace on a large attacking dog, and I have read that some breeds aren't effected by it, they are in the attack mode by then. I wonder if something like this would be effective? You could use it before they get too close. Amazon.com: Pet Parade Dog Repeller and Training... I just pick Joey up, but with two dogs, that's a real concern.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by mercyme

From what you've described, it sounds like there's a real problem with unleashed dogs where you live.

I guess the only real "solution" is to be hyper-aware of your surroundings at all times, maybe invest in a stroller for your dogs, as suggested by others here, and always carry a spray-type dog repellent with you on walks.

I do not think it is mean or cruel to fight off an unleashed dog to protect your vulnerable little ones.

Frequent calls to animal control might help the problem as well.

Good luck !!!!

I'm considering buying this PetGear Stroller to pull along with me to throw the Yorkies into if we encounter a loose dog:

Amazon.com: Pet Gear Expedition Pet Stroller,...

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I've always wondered how hard it would be to spray mace on a large attacking dog, and I have read that some breeds aren't effected by it, they are in the attack mode by then. I wonder if something like this would be effective? You could use it before they get too close. Amazon.com: Pet Parade Dog Repeller and Training Aid: Kitchen & Dining I just pick Joey up, but with two dogs, that's a real concern.

I considered the Repeller and similar products, but I wouldn't want to rely on it alone. It might be something I could carry along for added protection with the stroller that I'm considering as something I could throw the boys into while I contend with the loose dog.

[LilMissy]

I have the Petgear AT3 All Terrain stroller and I absolutely LOVE it. Best $80 bucks I've ever spent (got it off Craigslist). Ever since the day Missy was charged by a Boxer at a park (he was on leash too!), I haven't let the yorkie girls feet touch public ground. That Boxers teeth was mm's from Missy's throat. I'll never forget the panic I felt, she could have been killed. It's just not worth it.

[2girls]

Carrying pepper spray may save your pup's life. One day I was walking 4 yorkies, my two, and my neighbors when we were charge at by the neighborhood rottweiler. I managed to put 3 of the dogs in my sweat shirt and while trying to get hold of the 4th and fighting off a big dog was impossible. the rotty bit me a few times. I would have died if anything happend to any of the pup's. I sprayed mace and the dog ran away, Thank God. I ended up with a few stitches and if I didn't have the mace I it could have been worse.

[zippadee]

I had a bad experience with a boxer killing my toy manchester when I was a teenager so I know how that can happen. My Zippy was out in our yard with me when a big dog came out of nowhere and took after him. Zippy ran and the big dog chased. I was frantic then I noticed the big dog was trailing a leash, so instead of trying to catch Zippy, I went after the big dog and stepped on his leash as hard as I could, shoving it down into the grass and dirt. That stopped the big dog pretty quick. Now I have a stroller for him just in case I need to hide him and I carry a big walking stick with me when we go out. I keep him on a pretty short leash and have a special halter thingy that fits around his shoulders and chest that allows me to just use the leash to pick him up. Anything you carry that has to be sprayed is probably not going to help because they have to be right next to you, standing in just the right place for you to use it and by then it's too late.

[Cerise]

Originally Posted by Kate

I used to walk my little Yorkie, on a leash, but am finding that big dogs come out of nowhere. I just got a Yorkie magazine, and it says that a big dog, esp. dogs like Labs, will attack a small dog thinking it is a rabbit,etc. After all, they are hunting dogs.

The article said under no circumstances should you ever let a big dog sniff a small dog, even if the owners are with their dog and say their dog is safe.
They tend to go for their necks, and one bite, and they are gone.

I am afraid to walk one dog, let alone two. Even if I pick Sadie up in my arms a big dog will still circle us. I am not very tall, and I felt scared and threatened enough that I won't walk her at all, unless friends are with me.
Otherwise, she stays in my yard.

I don't know what to tell you, but I would not walk any dog unless you have
another person with you. Even that does not mean it is safe.

I read that too! I refuse to let someone's big dog meet my baby. People just don't understand that things can happen and animals are too fast compared to humans. Austin has two outdoor shopping malls that a lot of people go to and take their small dogs for a walk. There are bowls of water placed outside many of the stores and some stores have free small treats (but I'm picky about that LOL) Both shopping malls also have plenty of restaurants with outdoor patios that the small dogs can go too as well.

Maybe you can find something simular in your area, at least once or twice a week. This way you don't have to worry about those big dogs coming around the corner.

[MaxwellHouse]

I'm in Virginia as well, but our county (Albemarle) has a leash law. I'm still scared to walk Maxwell on the walking trails, but in our neighborhood, I am always on the lookout for the next mailbox to put him in if I see a big dog coming. Even on a leash, if the person is a child or not alert, a dog could pull loose. Very scary.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by MaxwellHouse

I'm in Virginia as well, but our county (Albemarle) has a leash law. I'm still scared to walk Maxwell on the walking trails, but in our neighborhood, I am always on the lookout for the next mailbox to put him in if I see a big dog coming. Even on a leash, if the person is a child or not alert, a dog could pull loose. Very scary.

Albemarle is beautiful..

I love your idea of putting Maxwell in a mailbox; never thought of that! Brilliant and funny.

We have a leash law too, but you would never know it. I scouted a nearby park today. There were signs everywhere indicating dogs must be leashed at all times. Nonetheless, there were off-leash dogs running around.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Cerise

I read that too! I refuse to let someone's big dog meet my baby. People just don't understand that things can happen and animals are too fast compared to humans. Austin has two outdoor shopping malls that a lot of people go to and take their small dogs for a walk. There are bowls of water placed outside many of the stores and some stores have free small treats (but I'm picky about that LOL) Both shopping malls also have plenty of restaurants with outdoor patios that the small dogs can go too as well.

Maybe you can find something simular in your area, at least once or twice a week. This way you don't have to worry about those big dogs coming around the corner.

Wow, I want to move to Austin!

We have a couple of shopping areas in development that may one day be suitable for dog walking.