Dog Defense

MoonRiver · #1 04/10/10, 05:53 PM

Let's just say that I had a few bad experiences with dogs as a little kid and I still get very nervous around large dogs, especially breeds that are protective and "biters".

I own about 4 acres - a 3/4 acre front lot where the house is located and 3+ acre back lot. At the rear of my back lot is a road that borders the property. Kitty corner and across the road is a big dog.

The young couple that live there have a couple of small kids and just got the dog a couple of weeks ago. Every time I go into the back lot, the dog starts barking and keeps barking until I leave. They keep the dog chained most of the time.

Yesterday I went back to weed around a pecan tree I had planted and when I looked up I saw the dog trotting straight towards me. He was half way across the road. The owner called him back but he ignored him. He had to run out and catch the dog to get him back on his property.

I believe the dog is a rottweiler - it's large, brown and black. Usually the dog is about 200' away and my eyes aren't that good, so I can't say for sure it is a rottweiler.

So what can I do for protection if the dog decides to come visiting? I'm often on my hands and knees weeding and I would hate to look up and find this big dog 10' away and I have nothing to protect myself with.

I wouldn't want to hurt the dog (unless necessary), but don't know what I can do to discourage him from coming on my property. I live in the city which has a leash law and limit on how long a dog can be chained up, but the neighbor lives in the county which doesn't have strict laws.

What can I do?

Bearfootfarm · #2 04/10/10, 06:42 PM

Bear spray:

http://www.google.com/products?compl...ed=0CDMQrQQwAg

Ed Norman · #3 04/10/10, 06:47 PM

Bear spray is good. So is a good belt knife. If he does attack, feed him your left forearm if you are right handed. Lift up to get him standing. Pull out the knife and start gutting. He will hurt you but you will hurt him worse.

mylala · #4 04/10/10, 07:00 PM

If you have animal control for your city call them and tell them your problem. Once the dog crosses the city line the owners are in violation of your city's ordinances, and can be cited for it. When someone has to pay some money they tend to be a little more responsible. In the mean time make sure you always have a shovel or rake with you to keep between you and the dog if something did happen.

**Terri** · #5 04/10/10, 07:53 PM

To start with, STAND UP. Stand up tall. Dogs are like people: they are not much into attacking what is bigger than they are.

That is not a guarentee: that is a usual.

You might also casually mention to the young couple that you are afraid of most dogs: that means that they are less likely to expect you to admire him when he is being cute, they are more likely to put the dog out without being asked if you visit them, etc etc.

PulpFaction · #6 04/10/10, 07:54 PM

Here's another vote for bear spray!

I would also talk to your neighbors and express your concerns, and tell them that you will be carrying it so they have fair warning. Get their phone number so that if you ever do have to use it on the dog you can let them know ASAP, it would not be good if the kids played with the dog after it was sprayed.

Always better to maintain good relations with neighbors when possible, right? Letting them know that you will be doing this may also encourage them to keep the dog better confined.

Edited to add this: The dog HOPEFULLY has a good steady temperament if they got it to spend time around their children. He probably just needs to learn his boundaries. Perhaps suggest boundary training or a wireless containment system, if they balk at keeping him chained all the time and say they can't afford a fence. This situation definitely calls for a conversation with the neighbors, though, no matter how you slice it.

tinknal · #7 04/10/10, 09:22 PM

I'm truly sorry to say this, but the problem is that you are afraid of dogs. Dogs sense what you are feeling and fear can trigger responses in dogs that normally wouldn't be there. You need to learn how to act around dogs.

Before you accuse me of insensitivity, let me state that I was savaged by a dog when I was 4 years old. Fortunately, at the time I lived with a large, friendly, loving dog so I didn't associate dogs with fear.

Overcoming your natural fear of dogs will go a long way in earning their respect. I can't tell you how to do this but if you do not do it this will be a problem for your whole life.

Sometimes dogs bite. So do horses. cats, children, llamas, rabbits, etc. Consider it tough love when I say that you need top get over it.

Bearfootfarm · #8 04/10/10, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Consider it tough love when I say that you need top get over it.

" Getting over it" won't stop a dog from trying to rip your throat out.
You're overlooking the main question

Willowynd · #9 04/10/10, 10:33 PM

First, you do not know if the dog is aggressive. He may be very freindly (I have never met a rott that was not a big baby), but as Tinknal pointed out, your fear can cause a dog that is normally sweet to act agressive. What you don't want to do is run and scream- aggressive or not. The dog will take that as a message to chase (even if just playing and the dog may nip then as well)....and screaming can sound like injured prey. Not exactly the message you want to send to a large dog. I have done several things when met with agressive dogs (not on my property)...first I do not act afraid, and I act like I am thier boss. I command them to go on. If they don't heed I step towards them and stomp the ground and yell in a deep voice- go on! This made them to take a step back or even run back and regroup- when they are doing that I quickly step back a few steps myself. I repeat until I am in a safe area...in the case of the 3 pit bulls going after my dog- they were in a UG fenced area...I was trying to keep them from attacking my dog again- who was already injured and get her to safety. I could not fault the dogs- my dog was on thier property...but I was going to do everything in my power to get her out of there in piece and hopefully keep myself from being attacked in the process. The other time the dog was in a fanced area and I did not know until I was in that area a good ways when it came around the house. Again, the dog was doing its job (though signs posted would have been a great idea)...I was able to get out of the fence and close the gate in front of me (remember I was backing out). I would have used pepper spray if I had it....but I do not carry it. Now I will say that all the dog I have met, agressive, fearful and otherwise- it is not the agressive ones I worry so much about- nor the big dogs...it is the fearful ones and the small dogs. I have only been bitten by small dogs (with the exception of when I reached into the middle of fighting dogs to grab the food they were fighting over- underneath one of the dogs- while my body was out of sight...the dog let go soon as it realized it had my hand along with the piece of chicken) ...and each time it was from out of nowhere- no warning and they came from my side or behind me....never a head on attack. They bit and ran. Since those times, I now keep my eye on small dogs at all times. I have even dog sat a small dog (a boston terror- pun intended) who loved to grab your shoes and bite the heck out of them while you walked. I made sure I wore my leather boots and carried long stick to distract her with or push her away with when she got out of hand.
So in a nut shell...gain confidence around dogs, learn to read body language, if confronted with an aggressive dog- maintain your stature (alpha), back the dog up while backing away , don't turn your back nor run or scream- and if need be use pepper spray.

tinknal · #10 04/10/10, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

" Getting over it" won't stop a dog from trying to rip your throat out.
You're overlooking the main question

Read the OP. At no time did she mention any overt aggression from the dog. Dogs are social creatures. Assuming that every dog is going to "rip your throat out" is going to send the message to the dog that I expect you to "rip my throat out".

It's a big old world out there, and everyone needs to learn how to live in it.

To a truly well bred dog pepper spray, or any other deterrent wouldn't stop them. You need to be smarter than them, not stronger.

Judy in IN · #11 04/10/10, 10:43 PM

Just fill a small spray bottle with vinegar and water 50/50. Aim for the nose. No need to buy pepper spray.

Better yet, talk to your new neighbor and tell them that you are afraid of dogs, and that they need to keep the monster away from you.

Even if they are in the country, they should keep their dog home for his own protection. Cars are pretty deadly to dogs, no matter what the size.

dezingg · #12 04/10/10, 11:37 PM

Fighting an emotional response can be tough, it's so automatic.

Is there any chance of visiting the neighbors and talking about it? Would they be willing to help defuse the situation? Maybe even getting to know the dog?

I don't know if it will help, but you could also look at dog breed sites and read information about getting a dog to consider you the "alpha dog" which may or may not interest you, but it will give you general clues how dogs think.

It's pretty easy to get nervous around big dogs that you don't know. And the dog's actions are certainly startling to you, making it worse.

Good luck with the dog!

tinknal · #13 04/11/10, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezingg

Fighting an emotional response can be tough, it's so automatic.

Is there any chance of visiting the neighbors and talking about it? Would they be willing to help defuse the situation? Maybe even getting to know the dog?

!

Excellent advise.

laughaha · #14 04/11/10, 12:30 AM

DH said to mace it's butt. Apparently it's much worse than macing the face. DH delivers propane to residences and has experience with lots of protective dogs. He carries dog treats and almost all the dogs on his route love him.

Honestly, most rott's are just big fruitloops. My suggestion is to go talk to the family and take some dog treats with you. Make nice with the dog. IF the dog is a vicious dog, then buy mace and call the dog catcher to discuss the issue with them (beforehand) so that the warden can make his presence known to the owners of the dog- kinda like a strong reminder of local leash laws.

If the owner was able to call the dog, wait for the dog to not listen, and then run after and catch the dog; the dog was curious or friendly. I'm guessing it was coming over to say "hi". I have a rott/dobe. When she is in protect mode there is not a person on this planet that could catch her, and she's 10 yrs old. She is a huge fruitloop 99% of the time. Rott's are just huge, goofy dogs. Actually originally a cattle dog.

salmonslayer · #15 04/11/10, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Is there any chance of visiting the neighbors and talking about it? Would they be willing to help defuse the situation? Maybe even getting to know the dog?

Yup, dezingg gave good advice.

texican · #16 04/11/10, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezingg

Fighting an emotional response can be tough, it's so automatic.

Is there any chance of visiting the neighbors and talking about it? Would they be willing to help defuse the situation? Maybe even getting to know the dog?

I don't know if it will help, but you could also look at dog breed sites and read information about getting a dog to consider you the "alpha dog" which may or may not interest you, but it will give you general clues how dogs think.

It's pretty easy to get nervous around big dogs that you don't know. And the dog's actions are certainly startling to you, making it worse.

Good luck with the dog!

That's what I'd do... Call the neighbor and let them know your concerns, and if it'd be alright to schedule a 'meeting' with the dog. Visit with the dog, with the owner there.

Living in fear is going to get you nowhere.

"Paper" won't trump "Teeth"... in other words, relying on the Law, the Dog Catcher, or 911, won't stop what's actually happening on the ground from happening.

Not to besmirch (2nd time I've used that word on HT today) the anti-dog remedies, but I don't think anything will stop a dog if it really wants to 'get you'... If something 'did' stop it, it really wasn't that interested in the first place. Best thing is to make friends with the dog, or Cowgirl Up, stand up to it and show no fear.

I don't know about you, but I'll not live in fear of Anything, on my own place. I've had to stare down some BAD (Big A.. Dogs) on other's properties, and did just that, stood up, stood tall, and in a stern voice let roll a string of profanities that'd curl their ear bones back inwards. My cousin has 7 90lb anatolians...on the property next door a half a mile away... I've had to wade through the middle of them before... and my cousin is even a'feared of them.

jen74145 · #17 04/11/10, 01:21 AM

I used to love dogs. Enter DS and poorly trained pets attempting to bite him; you defend your child a handful of times, you stop liking the untrustworthy things.

I would go talk to them, but frankly, most folks don't get it. They think their precious pooch would never do anything other than wriggle and wag his tail, and surely everyone loves dogs.... ha. No. Good neighbors keep their pets on their own property.

DH bought a shotgun and showed me how to use it. So far, a shake can has deterred little Death Wish (the doxie who gives me fits) but if his buddy Pitt Bull ever acts on his growing aggression, I will shoot him.

I volunteered at the pound, have rescued a half dozen or so and either found homes or kept them. Have had dogs who were my best buddies. Yet, I'll never have one again unless my kids are grown and it fits in one hand, lol.

Ravenlost · #18 04/11/10, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinknal

I'm truly sorry to say this, but the problem is that you are afraid of dogs. Dogs sense what you are feeling and fear can trigger responses in dogs that normally wouldn't be there. You need to learn how to act around dogs.

Before you accuse me of insensitivity, let me state that I was savaged by a dog when I was 4 years old. Fortunately, at the time I lived with a large, friendly, loving dog so I didn't associate dogs with fear.

Overcoming your natural fear of dogs will go a long way in earning their respect. I can't tell you how to do this but if you do not do it this will be a problem for your whole life.

Sometimes dogs bite. So do horses. cats, children, llamas, rabbits, etc. Consider it tough love when I say that you need top get over it.

I totally agree and would like to add that it might be a good idea to go over, let the neighbors know that you are afraid of dogs and then attempt to overcome your fear and get to know the dog and let it get to know you.

**Shrek** · #19 04/11/10, 01:45 AM

Tell the couple to keep their dog and children on their leashes and keep the bear spray handy in case either the dog or the kids attack.

rowan57 · #20 04/11/10, 06:10 AM

Show no fear. I lived on a farm with a neurotic Doberman and a gorgeous Rott cross. The neurotic Dobe decided it didnt like me day 1. AKA Im going to stop you coming into where you live (I lived downstairs in the house of the owners). I just walked through, with him barking up a storm at my ankles, held my head high and kept going even when it looked like he was going to attack. We eventually, after a few weeks of this, could respect each other.

Again, this Rott doesn't sound threatening. If he wanted you, he woulda had you. Try and meet the owners, explain your concerns, ask if you can feed him some (of their) treats and get to know him a bit. It might help with your fear of dogs as well (When I was a bit younger I was petrified of all dogs, no matter what size.).