Retractable walking stick? Cattle prod?
 

I walk my dog almost every day and there are 2 dogs on our regular routes that are pains in the patooty. Most dogs will back off if you give them the big, tough, "GIT." These two won't back down at all and one has even snarled at me a couple of times. Any thoughts on something I could carry to reach out and touch them? I am too susceptible myself to pepper spray or I'd use that. I'd like something light weight, preferably that will fold up or shorten up to make it easier to carry. I really don't like something in my hands most of the time. While I'm at it, a flashlight included would be nice! ;) We have a cattle prod but that thing is kind of big and bulky. A walking stick might also be nice up certain hills that are getting more difficult for some odd reason. I suspect it is that the cool weather is making the dog more energetic! Right. Anyway, I'm open to thoughts and suggestions!

.22 pistol??? Is this in a residential area? are the dogs close to their homes? I personally prefer the cattle prod or taser route myself but if the dogs are on property where they belong there's not a whole lot you can do. I wouldn't want to smack one with a lightweight stick and have it end up attacking me in self defense. You could try some amonia and water in a spray bottle and spray it in their faces.

Put amonia in a spray bottle...I would not dilute it....should just take a few squirts to make believers out of them when you say "git!"

Add some Rit dye to that ammonia, so the owners know it wasn't an accident. Water pistols can shoot further. A big one, not one of those little things. We used to carry ammonia and dye filled water pistols on walks, and the marked dogs were awfully easy to identify to the MPs later. The owners couldn't deny a thing. :D

Get you a horse whip. Not a bull whip but a long slender pole type whip. When the dogs come just make a popping noise with it to warn them. If they still come, Pop'em with the whip. Ought to send them running.

Ammonia will it hurt the dogs? I can not even take a walk in any diriction down our dirt road with either of my two big animals I always had to keep a muzzle on them so they would not attack the dogs that would come running after us in the road. Which the muzzle is not fair for my animals as we only want to take a walk but can not due to being attack by other dogs so yes I used the muzzles because I know that my big annimals will win any fight I have been afraird someone would take me to court because they would have dead dogs. So I have just stopped taking a walk at all.
Maybe I will take one in the morning with a spray bottle and see if they back off before I try to walk with one of the animals so they should remember me and the spray bottle.

At least put a few rocks in your pockets...dogs get to where they understand a nice solid thump from a rock. Pretty soon all you have to do is pull your arm back as if to throw something and they skeedaddle. Plus, you get to work on your aim...

I'd suggest a pistol.

If you don't want to go the lethal route try formaldehyde. A good squirt of strong formaldehyde in the nose and eyes will take the starch out of an aggressive dog. Formaldehyde in a simple spray bottle that delivers a good heavy stream will keep about any dog occupied. I've also found it isn't as susceptible to blowback as pepper spray. Just be careful not to get any on you or breathe too much of it.

I'd prefer a pistol but if I had to use chemicals formaldehyde works pretty good.

Sounds like an ASP baton is what you're looking for, you can get a flashlight attachment. Better check on the legality of civilian possession in your state though, may be considered a concealled weapon.

Have you considered changing your route?

is your dog leashed? the aggressive dogs probably see your dog as a threat to their territory.

This is my first post on H.T., been wanting to for a while.

The lady who runs the K-9 Club in Kansas City always carries a sprayer (looks like pepper spray) that is full of Citronella.

She says it works wonders when dogs act aggressive, fight, or attack.

I have never seen it used, so I couldn't tell you about its effectiveness.

Using an aversive will work if the dogs are not tenacious. If they are prone to aggression, your actions may only make them MORE territorial. And, if you are the least bit hesitant to hurt a dog, you will probably make a mess of it.

Another approach would be to use positive training. If it doesn't work, you will at least not have taught the dogs that you are an enemy.

When the dogs come toward you, but before they get as close as they usually do, toss a couple of large smelly treats to the dogs, the treats landing in front of them so they see them. They eat the treats and look at you for more. Toss a few of treats behind the dogs so they have to turn away from you to go get them (reward for turning away from you). As soon as they've eaten the treats, tell them "sit". If they sit, good, if not, just keep going. Throw treats as far as you can, again behind the dogs (reward for going away from you). You ought to be able to get out of their territory at this point. Bring extra treats in case you end up throwing them too far for their noses to find.

Next day, repeat the procedure. When they are more interested in your generosity than your dogs, move to step 3. If they seem happy to see you, toss the treats as far as you can, they will go looking for them. Move quickly out of their territory. I would use something chewy that will keep them occupied, like bread and peanut butter. A spray of large chewy treats will keep them better occupied than one little one. After a few days, use fewer treats, and fewer, until you are using just one or two for each dog.

Dogs that are not food motivated will ignore the treats to harrass your dogs. Dogs that are very dog aggressive would have already gone after your dogs with their teeth. This method will work with most dogs, but not all. Most likely, they will begin to see you as a friend and your dogs as harbingers of good news.

Lots of great ideas! These are residential dogs so it would be really hard to use a gun. I used to have a nice little .22 but we got rid of it because I never used it. WIHH, I LOVE that cute little 45! I can change my route but that would leave me only one daytime route. I like this route if the light is a bit low (or a lot low) as it is safer for walking in the dark. I'd have to be really careful with ammonia or formaldehyde due to my own sensitivity but that is certainly a thought. My dog is leashed and in both cases, I always go to the opposite side of the road to pass. Both of these situations are a bit tricky and I've even thought about complaining to the dog catcher. We do have a leash law and the one family CONSTANTLY has the dogs loose, a pr of pit bulls. The guy is a drug dealer too. Joy. The one pit has been around for years and she is fine but the young male has absolutely no fear of anyone. I've even pulled the car between him and a jogger because he was really pestering her. In the other case, I almost think they are deliberately letting the dogs loose when I pass. I never see them loose any other time.

As another poster said, I've got a 120 lb Pyr and all these two dogs in particular are 1/2 to 1/3 the size. I know he could stop the fight if he really decided to do something but then he'd likely get labeled "aggressive" which he most assuredly is not. He has never initiated a fight. He will defend himself though. I also don't want him put in a position where he expects that another dog coming out to see him is necessarily aggressive.

I'll see what I can find of that citronella spray. I have a citronella bark collar and the dogs HATE it! It also doesn't bother me! It also occurred to me to look for a little gadget I used to have that made a really high pitched sound that would annoy dogs. My Pyr is mostly deaf so I doubt it would bother him but I'd have to try it. I do have one of those long horse whips but it is too long to carry comfortably. A crop with a bit of whip at the end wouldn't be too bad. I have no fear of hurting a dog that would be pestering mine. I've kicked more than one that I could get my foot into. The problem in this case is that the Pyr is so big that I can't get around him quick enough.

Maura, it sounds like the treats might be my best bet. That said, I'll see what I can dig up for some offensive options as well! :duel:

I'm not sure what your states dangerous dog laws are but in MN a dog does not have to attack to be labeled as potentially dangerous. Then there are restrictions set against owning that dog. All it needs to do is approach in a aggressive manner. Talk to animal control again and say that these dogs have been aggressive, growling at you and your dog and they need to do something about now. Tell them you going to contact the sheriff or police so its reported with them and on file. Just to rub it in a little more, ask for a copy of their report that you called. They have to document and file every complaint they receive. Advise them if something does not happen to resolve the problem you will hold them legally responsible for any future problems since they are neglecting to do their jobs and you are taking steps to document it and have proof. I would also find out who they work for, if they are private contractor talk to the mayor or who ever is paying them to due Animal Control and let them know they are not doing there job.

A pit will beat a pyr no offense because that's what they were bred to do. In any case, a well-bred pit should NEVER be human aggressive. Dog aggressive is considered somewhat acceptable but in today's society that's a taboo. It's very common for pits to be dog aggressive but NOT human aggressive. If the dog is both or human aggressive....it needs to be put down.

I agree with TedH, a "trained" Pit Bull (trained to fight) will kill any dog out there. I hate dog fighting, but theres a reason they only use Pit Bulls.

Also about the Citronella spray, it might work, I wouldn't risk myself or my dogs with that stuff. I've never seen it used, but have read that some dogs are not affected at all by it. Even if it works, I've also read a tolarence can be built up. (It works less each time you have to use it on the same dog)

I would try some treats. (but would carry a stick too) If you feel theres real danger, either talk to them or call Animal Control. If they are drug dealers, I'm sure they want to avoid police contact.

DH is the police and unfortunately has never been able to come up with enough to actually get a warrant. Even with a drug possession a few months back, it wasn't enough to do much. We also have to live next to them which makes it even slightly more delicate. So far it is actually the second problem dog that is nastier than the bold pit. The problem with the pit is that there are a total of 3 of them (related) right next to each other but the 3rd one is new and I've only encountered it once and never yet at the same time as the other two. Also, the young male is just SO bold with absolutely no respect for ANYONE, including the owner. I have not yet called animal control but I think that is probably the best move, before things become a serious problem. As big a problem as he is now, I hate to see what he'll be like in another year or so.

make friends with the dogs if you can.

its the same thing all mail men, delivery men put up with....the dog thinks it is protecting its territory, the threat comes close, they bark, the threat goes away....the dog thinks its doing a good job.

the fed ex man has made friends with all four of my dogs.....they don't even bark when he parks in the driveway now.....which kinda ticks me off....i liked the warning.

i had a friend that tried the "get" thing with one of our dogs,,,,i thought to myself "he's made an enemy of that dog forever" the uncut ammonia (sp) will probably blind the dog if sprayed in its eyes.

ahh I see why this is weird. Well remember it's not the breed, it's the owner. If you try to make friends with the dog, try without your dog first and if you can, have someone else with you until you feel comfortable. Try a couple different treats, my dogs favorites are cheese or hot dogs. Be careful though and good luck.

Have you checked on leash laws? The first thing I would do is call animal control. Tell them the problem and if there is a leash law they can enforce if no law, they may can do something about these dogs being vicious and can go that route,perhaps chained or penned all the time.

I didn't realize how aggressive and the breed before.

The citronella may not be the best option in that case.

You like to walk that route when it is getting dark or dark outside, right? My little girl is a Rhodisian Ridgeback and Pit mix. During the day she is more curious, yet on guard at who is near her territory but will not instigate. At night, she becomes very cautious and a little bit more sensitive of those people she is not familiar with.

Try switching your times for each route if safety would allow. Might be able to get a jacket/vest with some reflective tape.

I would recommend calling Animal Control like others have said and get that report filed. But try a walk through his area during the day. Maybe the dogs will be inside if the dealer likes to sleep in too ;-)

There is a leash law and the owners have a fence, they just don't use it. They just TELL the officers that they keep the dogs fenced. There are enough people who walk this area though that know about the Pits. The jogger incident was daytime. Actually, most of my Pit encounters have been daytime on weekends. The other snarly dog was twice this past few week at night. I'll probably call the dog catcher tomorrow. I haven't been/won't be home long enough today to do much other than pass through.

I remember reading about two bicyclists who used firecrackers to keep back aggressive dogs, but that might get you in trouble with the law.

Another option might be to drive over in the daytime, without your dog, and put the dogs in your car. Take them to the animal shelter. Once you inconvenience someone they will pay more attention.

Try Paintball.

I recently shot one of the light scandium/titanium frame 44 magnums. A friend brought it over when we were doing some shooting. It was...a handful. Those featherweight pistols in .357 are quite shootable but step up to full house .44 magnum loads and they are a real handful. I'm not recoil shy in any sense of the word but sweet maria is that thing wicked with hot Cor-Bon loads. Not the least bit pleasant.

Of course I want one.

Hi longshadowfarms,
My brother-in-law is a policeman and they use fire extinguishers on aggressive dogs. That ice cold blast in the face hasn't failed, yet. If the dog has any sense you shouldn't have to carry it too many times.

Good luck,
SBJ