ANY ideas on how to protect your Yorkie from attacks by other dogs when out walking

[Franceen]

In my area several Yoirkies have been attacked by other dogs while out on their walk, some fatally. The owners of these dogs are totally unrepentant and seem to always get away with it. I have spoken to so many Yorkie owners on my walks, whose dogs (and their owner, while trying to protect their Yorkie!) have been bitten by other dogs. I cannot keep Toots inside forever - how can I protect her - I feel so unsafe when I take her out each day. People refuse to keep their dogs on leads and always assure you that their dog would never attack another dog, but it happens all the time. I have had a big dog jump on me to try to get to Toots and the owner yelled and yelled until the dog left us alone, but they shouted that he would not have bitten !!??!! I was so shaken up as it was a pit bull . - a breed that is illegal over here but are owned, anyway. It is very scary for me, as I am disabled with arthritis and use a disability scooter. I wish I could take a cricket bat with me or something similiar to hit the attacking dog with, but this is illegal here. I feel so vulnerable. The council seem to be powerless to help, as they do not have the manpower to patrol these areas and enforce the law. There are signs up saying keep your dog on a lead, but people ignore it. We do not have 'dog parks' as such here, so we walk our dogs in local parks, beach, cliff tops etc. I try to chose times when the least amount of people will be walking their dogs which is usually a very inconvenient time! I grab Toots as soon as I see another dog, so she is up and down all the time. This alone won't save her from attack as the dog could easily jump on me to get to her, which has already happened. It is nerve racking. Anyone got any legal ideas which may be useful to prevent an attack?

[Nancy1999]

I was just boiling mad after a walk yesterday. A woman had a large dog running loose and I told her about the leash law, but she ignored me. I didn't want to get too close, so I let it go. It's not too bad if I just have one dog, I pick him up, but with two dogs, it's really difficult. I'm wondering if fines should be bigger, but I'm going to start calling the police every time it happens, we live by a park, but it's not a dog park, and there are plenty of signs that say a dog must be on the leash. Irresponsible people ruin it for everyone; the police shouldn’t have to handle this type of nonsense.

[sganow]

Do you think pepper spray would work for stray and loose dogs? Obviously, only used if necessary. You would just about have to have it in hand so you could use it quickly if needed.

[HeathenFaerie]

I have a concealed permit. I would not want to hurt an animal but my children are only four and six and go with me to walk the dog. I cannot pick up all three of them to protect them. I would try my best to avoid conflict my dog is always leashed and we only walk near home or at the dog park but I would definitely shoot to protect my daughters and my baby Jenks.

If you cannot get a concealed permit maybe you could carry a tazer or something? I have been thinking of buying one myself.

[yorkietalkjilly]

After Jilly was attacked during a dog walk, I started carrying a large umbrella walking stick that one can open when a scary dog approaches. I have yet had one to continue to approach when I unfold that big thing out in front!

[susan lynn]

I noticed there are more attacks on dogs on YT. Fortunately we have 5 acres of land so I don't have to walk my dogs near other dogs. I haven't got to where I don't take them to petsmart because there are so many large dogs even if they are on a leash, and nervous when I take them to the vet because you are in the waiting room with lots of other dogs and for some reason it seem most of them are large. Didn't realize that Pit Bulls seem to be a popular breed. I think I would take Mace or a large stick but since I have 4 that would be hard to do.We have strict leash laws and I don't see many dogs running loose.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

After Jilly was attacked during a dog walk, I started carrying a large umbrella walking stick that one can open when a scary dog approaches. I have yet had one to continue to approach when I unfold that big thing out in front!

I love the idea that you can scare them away before they come close.

[shodanusmc]

Get a Cane Corso, and train it! No one will bother your Yorkie. If that is not an option, carry a walking stick, know your surroundings is also important. I like the CCW idea, if only I did not live in the one state where it is not allowed.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Get a Cane Corso, and train it! No one will bother your Yorkie. If that is not an option, carry a walking stick, know your surroundings is also important. I like the CCW idea, if only I did not live in the one state where it is not allowed.

Ha ha, I'd love to have a Cane Corso to take out to our park and remind people that we have a leash law. I'd deputize him so he wouldn't need the leash! I'll bet they'd listen to me.

[chachi]

I quit walking my dogs in my neighborhood because of the frequency of loose dogs and some scary situations. When you have 2 it is much harder because My Jewels was almost attacked one time because of it. Not worth it at all so I drive them 5 mins down the street to a park for walks. There are always police patroling that park anyway so I feel safer there also

[LoALAnna]

I have seen somewhere in a catalog (Heartland America ?) a very handy item. It was a walking stick with a stun gun built in. It really made me think about purchasing it just for protection of my boys when we are out walking. Maybe if you check online, you can find one. Good luck!

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by Franceen

I wish I could take a cricket bat with me or something similiar to hit the attacking dog with, but this is illegal here. I feel so vulnerable.

Why is it illegal to carry a cricket bat? I'd just make sure you had a ball and some wickets, so it looked like you'd just left a match

[yorkietalkjilly]

There are those unbreakable, defensive umbrellas that you can get that are very good for use as weapons. Check them out on Google.

[Franceen]

Thanks so much for all the replies. The umbrella idea sounds the best and, so far, the only one I could try legally. We are not allowed to have mace, pepper or any other sprays. Nor or we allowed a taser. Anything resembling a weapon eg cricket bat, would be deamed illegal. I think I would have a hard time convincing them I was off for a game/from a game in my disability scooter - wickets, balls or not - Ha! Ha! Ha! Worth considering though! It is hard to defend yourself legally over here. Somone suggested a loud horn, which you can buy here (has a pressurised canister to blow the horn), but that would upset my dog terribly as I hear that they are REALLY LOUD. So, that would be a last resort. I am going to google defensive umbrellas now and see if I can get one.

Isn't it awful that we have to resort to this sort of thing because other people are so selfish and inconsiderate. We actually have to consider hitting their animal to protect ours! I LOVE animals and HATE the idea of being forced to do that to save myself and my dog- what is wrong with people that they force us into this situation. They don't seem to even think about their dog getting hurt - how can they love their animals.

Thanks again. Any more suggestions anyone?

[yorkietalkjilly]

A $200.00 for a good umbrella that you can use to defend yourself in a big dog attack seems a small price to pay when you are in the middle of an attack and you will find it is money well spent. Works just like a charm so far. Even the nastiest dog has stopped in its tracks and/or backtracked when faced with that big wide sight facing them. I have never had any dog sustain or even try to sustain a challenge with it.