I have had a couple of times lately during my runs that owners have not been using a leash for their dogs, and they have come after me. So, what is the best thing I can carry so when
this happens again I can protect myself?
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dog treats
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Best way to protect yourself is to stop running and let them get their dog. It’s chasing you cause you’re running, if you stop the dog will usually lose interest. Most of the time the dog wants to play rather than attack.
That may be for 99% of the time, but what for the 1%? Pepper spray?
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Never been attacked by a dog. Not sure where you are running but I have never been attacked by a dog. To a non dog person some dogs can come across as agressive while they are just posturing or even want to play.
If you bring the Pepper spray you are probably more likely to use it on a human attacker or the dog owner.
I am just running at our schools. Even though the law is all dogs must be on a leash at all times, yep, a lot think there dog will always be perfect and can ignore it.
Again, folks get bit all the time by “nice” dogs. I just think I need to be prepared for the 1% dog that is not nice.
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If you have some water on you, use that. It moves their attention somewhere else.
No water on me.
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A cell phone to call the police.
I was out running a few years back when a person was walking 2 dogs not on a leash. They went and attacked and killed a poor cat. I called 911, nothing. When he got into his car to leave,
the breathalyzer start thing would not work, so he had to over ride it.
Calling after you have been bitten is a little late which is why I think carrying pepper spray might be the best?
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I would suggest a 9mm handgun. Thing comes running at you just blam blam blam. And then when the owner gets all up in your face you “stand your ground” and put him in the ground with two to the head. Tell the police you felt threatened. Problem solved, American as apple pie.
I just growl and bark at them then yell stop…works most of the time. If not, pop it in the nose. There are lots of disrespectful dog owners around where I live!
Best way to protect yourself is to stop running and let them get their dog. It’s chasing you cause you’re running, if you stop the dog will usually lose interest. Most of the time the dog wants to play rather than attack.
This. And if the dog does want to attack your body language goes a long way. A dog can tell if you’re afraid.
Quote from:
http://policelink.monster.com/training/articles/1759-effects-of-pepper-spray-on-the-police-k9
The dog was sent to apprehend the suspect and once on the bite was sprayed extensively in the face. This dog was a fresh K9, and had never previously been exposed to any OC product. Initially the dog had a good bite, but upon the first hit of spray the dog went into even a more intense fight with the suspect. Nearly half the canister was delivered before the dog was called off. The dog had received numerous shots in the eyes and nose areas during the apprehension and still the dog chose to stay in the fight. It was obvious that the dog was under a lot of discomfort. His eyes were shut tightly, but his bite never did relax. Once the dog was called off the bite the suspect was then directed to flee and hide in preparation for an area search. It should be noted that during the experiment the jute sleeve cover on the protective arm guard had been soaked through with OC. The decoy maintained the use of this same sleeve during the second phase of this particular test.
Since you’re worried about that “1%” of dogs, its probably worth noting that pepper spray isn’t going to do a damn thing against a seriously aggressive dog aside from maybe piss it off even more.
Against any other dog a squirt of water in the face will probably be just as effective.
I have had a couple of times lately during my runs that owners have not been using a leash for their dogs, and they have come after me.
I’ve never had a dog owner come after me. I’ve had a few dogs come after me though and I always yell, “Get off the couch!” Works great. Works for bears also and probably dog owners.
Better yet, get a dog to run with and let him/her do the dirty work. I’ve come across hundreds of dogs running with my dog off leash and the other dogs are never interested in me. And my dog is too savvy to be bitten in the extremely unlikely event that the other dog is mean.
Run faster. Any time I’ve ever been unsure about a dog, I decide to throw in an interval of intensity directly proportional to the apparent aggressiveness of the dog
I was out running a few years back when a person was walking 2 dogs not on a leash. They went and attacked and killed a poor cat. I called 911, nothing. When he got into his car to leave,
the breathalyzer start thing would not work, so he had to over ride it.
Calling after you have been bitten is a little late which is why I think carrying pepper spray might be the best?
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Statistically the dogs aren’t going to bite you and discouraging idiot owners who have their dogs off leash via fines is the best outcome. I think spraying the dog would lead to a confrontation with the owner which is not an outcome you probably want.
I’ve had several dogs come after me and I’ve found that the best defense is a good offense. I turn towards them, raise my arms, and scream in my loudest voice to “go home, go home” and the success rate is very high. Dogs are generally pussies when confronted by something that seems bigger than they are but you have to be ready to back it up and punch them hard if they come after you. I love dogs but I won’t hesitate to beat the crap out of one if it comes after me, sort of a Jekyll and Hyde response.
Your voice.
Yell NO!! BAD DOG!!!
Repeat as necessary.
Works quite well.
Your voice.
Yell NO!! BAD DOG!!!
Repeat as necessary.
Works quite well.
X2 plus
Be sure to use as deep and controlled a voice as possible. Shrieking will actually excite most dogs and lead to further aggression. I’ve seen several women have a dog problem escalate by screaming at dogs which then backed right down when a deep voiced command was used instead. Even the command “sit” works an amazing amount of the time to get a dog under control. It seems to be the most universal command dogs have been trained to understand.