Comments on: What is the best way to protect yourself from dogs when walking?

By: Jazzie

Jazzie — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:54:55 +0000

Call animal control….they’ll have a field day.

Carry pepper spray.

And, this works for me:

Be the “Alpha” of your environment….you, your space around you, the sidewalk you walk on, and any pack members in your charge.

Be confident and totally comfortable with your ability to handle and protect yourself. Your calm confidence will ward off most dogs. The lack of nervous or angry energy will disarm them.

When a dog approaches me in challenge, I stop, turn towards them and gaze into their eyes and politely say, “My space. Go home.” I don’t move away from them. I don’t back down. As far as they’re concerned I will throttle them and kill them to defend myself (not really…. but I won’t let the dog know that!).

I’ve never had a dog come after me yet. Even growly, hair raised ones…. they walk around and grumble (unsure & undecided), then slowly walk away… their way of saying…”you win”. That’s all I want.

By: Tulssadog

Tulssadog — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:46:04 +0000

I first off, would try to remember where the dogs are running loose from. I mean the irresponsible owners. I also carry an umbrella with me. Dogs get frighten by them when popped open. Also do not stare at a dog running after you. It gives them more reason to be the alpha. Do not run..that makes you into a prey mode for them. Turn away from them and if you can in a deep voice say no. Also, you need to call animal control and report every single one of these dogs..for running loose. Their are leash laws…and if they want them to run loose then make them pay a fine for it. I do not feel sorry for anyone that lets their dogs run….get a fence or have them on a leash. I wish you the best of luck.

By: austinvillegirl

austinvillegirl — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:00:12 +0000

I don’t necessarily have the answer you’re looking for, but I have to disagree with spraying the dog with mace. I have a lab/rottie mix who would just a soon eat the meter reader as to look at her. The reason? (She told me this…) She was scared of his size alone…….he did come to alert (stand up and watch her - without growling or showing any agression) and because she was scared, she sprayed him. Now he seems to “enjoy” scaring her!

We are working on this issue. Each month I meet her at our property line (dog in tow) and he is learning that she is not here to hurt him. He still doesn’t trust her, but he is becoming better and better with her. I don’t think he wants her to be his friend, or vice-versa, but they HAVE to learn to get along.

I suggest NOT spraying the dogs for this reason.

By: SugarChick1369

SugarChick1369 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:32:17 +0000

I would definitely report all these irresponsible owners. Report them for your safety as well as the dogs. They could get hit by a car.

There is a leash law for a reason. Even if these dogs are not going to “attack” you, you still have a right to walk without being startled or messed with.

By: Diana A

Diana A — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:21:19 +0000

I too live in an area where dogs run loose, & when walking my Yorkie(now passed), I once had to jump into a stranger’s car to get away from a HUGE dog who was stalking my little dog. I now carry a stun gun, tho that may seem excessive to some. I agree with all those who have mentioned an umbrella, Mace, or an air horn. Your safety is far more important than the “right” these owners think they have to allow their dogs to run loose! But yes-I WOULD call your local animal control and report any addresses of the loose dogs’ owners. If you don’t, then a CHILD could possibly be a victim of one of the loose dogs in your neighborhood.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 11:09:23 +0000

My dogs have a fenced yard and use leashes when not in the yard…that said: It seems to me that you need to build confidence around dogs. There is no way that all of those dogs are trying to “attack” you. It’s normal for them to give chase when a stranger walks by their property (unless their owner has trained them not to). Their owners do need to restrain them, and I wouldn’t hesitate to take down their address and write to them and let them know that next time you’ll be calling the police. You shouldn’t have to be intimidated by their dogs, but I think that you should work on building confidence with dogs so that you can feel more in control when these things happen.

By: õКamı

õКamı — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:57:58 +0000

You should have the right to walk on your sidewalk without the worry of other owner’s dogs attacking you. Take a look around and study your neighborhood. See which dogs don’t have leashes and are just running amuck ready to attack.

There are leash laws. They cannot let this happen. These are very irresponsible dog owners.

Call your local animal control agency, and tell them your story and what’s going on. They are sure to help you.

By: aabc44

aabc44 — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:28:40 +0000

first, the owners have to be more responsible for their dogs. But I can see where someone would laugh in your face , if you brought that issue to their attention. I mean, I they had been responsible people, they would have taken appropriate steps to prevent these encounters from happening. I mean, the streets are for people first, and then the animals (especially left loose).

but for self defense, i would look into those devices with high-frequency sound emissions (I think they emit a high-pitched sound, beyond what human ear can hear, but annoying for animals), rather than using a pepper spray and enrage the dog or something (I wouldn’t be surprised if the owner sued you for harming their pooches and won-not that I wish you that, but in today’s world, anything it’s possible). And by the way, I have recently heard something about the “the good samaritan law” where people trying to do good, were later sued by the people they helped/rescued. Crazyyy…

By: princessbigmouth

princessbigmouth — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:34:53 +0000

don’t look at them or show any emotion or fear they can smell it.

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:59:46 +0000

i am the same way! i hate big dogs that have no leashes or owners that come up to me. you don’t know how the dog was treated and if it’s friendly or not. if it comes at you and is for sure going to bite and you don’t see a collar, kick the head or shove your hand down it’s throat. it will make the dog stop and is a good method for not getting bit if you don’t know if it’s had its rabies shot or not. call the humane society or animal control. most places have leash laws and after one or two get tickets, the rest will follow suit! if a dog is sick with rabies or distemper, they will attack for no reason. if you get bit try to get a good discription of the dog and owner if possible, go to the doc and get it documented and call the cops. the owner can get in big trouble if it bit you.