[TotallyAwesome]

Where I live some people take their dogs offleash. These dogs are not stable, and can go from calm to attack in an instant. It has already happened before, and we have escaped just by luck.

because they are offleash, and do not have any harness it is hard for the owner to grab on to anything to restrain their dog. The dog may have a collar, but not always.

my dog is always on a leash and harness. I can get his attention on me, and keep him under control, but I am concerned about what to do if the other dog manages to get near us.

I do not want the other dog to hurt my dog, nor do I want to hurt the other dog. these dogs are fast and big, and the previous time the dog attacked we escaped only because the elevator doors closed in time - we were inside and had no escape. The dog evaded two of his owners and was trying to leap into the elevator to attack my puppy - it was not paying attention to me. if it got in I would have tried to shield my puppy or restrain the other dog, but not sure how well it would have turned out. I do not think I would be able to keep an eye on both my puppy and the other dog, nor do I think my pup is so calm that he would not move in the event of an attack.

on previous occasions when dogs on leash have attacked, my puppy has kept calm and moved out of the way, and we managed to escape the situations. But this was because the other dogs were on leash.
My puppy did not growl or counter - he just dodged the bite quickly. By then I reacted and moved us away. Where I live corridors are narrow and blind, so there is not much room to manoeuvre till one leaves the building. If we’re in the elevator there is no escape.

I have considered the following:

• picking my dog up. He is 24kgs. Although I can pick him up, the other dogs are large and can surely bite him if they jump.
• standing in between the dogs. Although I can control mine, not sure what to do about the other dog.
• fleeing - There is absolutely no way we can outrun an offleash dog as fast as these.

What should we do? Is there nothing we can do? It seems these dogs are just dog aggressive, and do not even look at me.

 

[Pemi]

Carry mace and use it if you have to. It'll stop the dog before it makes contact but you might get blowback so be prepared for that. The gel mace is slightly better in preventing blowback than the spray.

 

[3ymum]

Bring an umbrella with the automatic button to open it. It is small and light enough to carry but acts an deterrent to the charging dog. Keep your dog behind you ( tho it is easy to say than do when it happens so fast), stomping on the floor, open the umbrella.

 

[David Winners]

Here's a determined dog.

The idea of not causing pain to an attacking dog is noble. It's just not how life works. A walking stick, bear spray, asp, tennis racquet, umbrella, air horn...

We were attacked by a determined loose dog and it ended up with that dog losing his life. There are many threads on the forum on this subject.

 

[dogma13]

Most dogs don't actually want to engage and bite. They put on a big scary show. The umbrella is an excellent idea or a stout walking stick.Standing your ground with your dog behind you and in a loud firm voice NO!GO HOME! along with your umbrella/stick will 99%of the time send the other dog on it's way when you stay calm and wait it out.Use your weapon if you have to.

 

[Heidigsd]

I wouldn't hesitate to hurt a dog that is trying to attack. If the problem in your area is that bad, it's only a matter of time before you or your dog gets hurt. We just had a man in his 80's killed by a couple of dogs here. Our country has gone downhill in so many ways, I won't get another dog San Antonio man mauled to death by dogs ID'd as Ramon Najera (nypost.com)

 

[Pemi]

Here's an issue to consider as well- the owner. I simply waved a ski pole at a dog who was rushing us and the owner saw fit to grab me, push me down, and physically assault me to tell me that the dog was 7 months old and "what did I expect?" It was a whole thing and I reported it but so far have heard nothing. So, be aware that the owner may also pose a formidable threat and for this was a 6 foot man and I am a smaller woman. Doubt this would've happened with another man, but women, be aware that once you deal with the dog, the owner could be a problem so be ready to get out of there or defend yourself against a human. Never thought I'd see the day--- but I did.

 

[drparker151]

I'm always out in front, Hey loose dog I'm the threat you need to worry about. 99% of the time they slam on the brakes. An aggressive human charging them is not what they bargained for.

EDIT: in general never run from a predator, that is what prey does.

 

[brookwoodgirl]

I've carried a big stick - though it might not be easy or sensible in an elevator as you describe. For a while I carried a citronnella spray, which I got from chewy, which is supposed to repel dogs without hurting them The thing is, I am not terribly coordinated ,and the idea of spraying the citronella spray as a dog is charging at me, I don't think I could do it. My first action would be to pull my dog back and yell at the oncoming dog and its owner, if it was around. If I had a stick (such as if I were in a park, I wouldn't hesitate to whack the dog if it got close and seemed agressive and tell it to go away. Sometimes the dog is just exuberant and the situation de-escalates (except for your heart rate and shaking hands). But as the person and dog being approached, you don't know that when its coming. The spray you can clip onto your lead, so it is handier than fishing it out of a pocket. I'd try the chewy citronella spray, if they still sell it. IT's less hurtful than mace, or bear spray. I personally don't know if it works. Like I said, my usual tactic is to get in front of my dog, and yell, and brandish a stick if I have one. The spray is just never at the front of my mind, and I think I'd need two hands to get the cap off and juggling getting it, the leash and an oncoming dog, I don't think I'd have time for it to be effective. I guess it is more for if you are in the middle of an attack and you're trying to separate the bad dog away, that it might be worth a try. It's light to carry anyway.

 

[Bearshandler]

Every dog attack or dog fight is different, so it’s impossible to give a set gameplan on how to handle them. You can’t cover every scanario. It’s about concepts and principles. If you haven’t practiced what you’re going to do, then you will most likely fall back on your natural reactions. The simplest answer is seperate and control. What I could recommend is having a second leash available.

 

[Sabis mom]

My dog, and I, have been attacked multiple times. Dog attacks can happen fast. And usually from behind. I always do exactly what I shouldn't ie, grab the dog by the collar.
In general I try and stay between my dog and the attacker and run it off. But If it makes contact with my dog anything is fair. A solid kick will deter most of them.

 

[HollandN]

I live outside Rochester NY and last weekend a guy was walking 3 dogs they broke loose and killed a small off leash dog The police came and felt threatened enough to shoot at the loose dog. They all got tickets for dogs being off leash Which doesn’t seem like much considering the police officer felt the need to shoot at the dog. He did not injure the dog. It was posted on Facebook and the comments were awful. I have a little dog and my first instinct would be to pick him up Not sure it would even be possible to protect him against 3 dogs

 

[peachygeorgia]

I carry pepper gel and pet correcter usually, if im in an area where i think there may be more off leash dogs, a large stick or an unbrella, and i always have an extra leash on me. Luckily off leash dogs are not bad where i live but i anticipate more when we begin to travel.

 

[Sunsilver]

The surest way to get bit is to get your hands in between two dogs that are fighting. When I've been in this situation, I kick the attacking dog, or hit it with a stick. Getting your ankle bit is not as bad as a bite to the hand.

Another alternative is to make a noose out of a leash, and slip that over the attacking dog's head, then try to choke it out/pull it away.

The worst fight I was involved in was with a really determined dog that refused to let go, I sat on the dog, planning to try to choke her out with my hands. Sitting on her was enough - she finally let go, and my dog turned and bit me on the forehead! (It was just a graze, fortunately.) The person who was holding his leash was then able to pull him away. Unfortunately, she got a couple of really bad bites from my dog, as he couldn't reach the attacking dog, so he bit her instead. 😥

The attacking dog was a dog I rescued, a beautiful purebred German show line. I wound up having to euthanize her. She was great with people, but totally unreliable with other dogs. She'd go from wagging/friendly to attacking in the blink of an eye, with very little warning.

 

[WNGD]

Every dog attack or dog fight is different, so it’s impossible to give a set gameplan on how to handle them. You can’t cover every scanario. It’s about concepts and principles. If you haven’t practiced what you’re going to do, then you will most likely fall back on your natural reactions. The simplest answer is seperate and control. What I could recommend is having a second leash available.

I'm not following how I could get a 2nd leash on a growling snapping dog while controlling my own, unless you're just looping it around its head. Nor would I stick my hands onto an attacking dogs collar. Maybe I'm not understanding.

I carry a very stout 4' hardwood stick which I have no dount can break a shoulder or foreleg if necessary. A skull if I was the one being attacked. The butt end is very persuasive in close quarters. My physical presence, yelling "NO!" with the stick extended at a 45 has been enough so far and causes most dog to hesitate and at the most, circle. But we have not encountered a truly determined dog yet who has gotten close enough for Harley to go at and I'd have to control him.

The only time we had a real issue, I was walking my little girl and a neighbor's Pit had escaped (it was a neighborhood biter, people and dogs) and my GSD bitch took it off its feet at the shoulder. Still, it didn't run away but didn't approach us further.

My daughter carries a pepper spray like cannister for coyotes but marketed as for aggresive dogs.

I also carry a 4" straight blade which I hope is never necessary but would be utilized in the case of multiple coyotes engaged on one of my dogs.

 

[Hopps]

Here's an issue to consider as well- the owner. I simply waved a ski pole at a dog who was rushing us and the owner saw fit to grab me, push me down, and physically assault me to tell me that the dog was 7 months old and "what did I expect?" It was a whole thing and I reported it but so far have heard nothing. So, be aware that the owner may also pose a formidable threat and for this was a 6 foot man and I am a smaller woman. Doubt this would've happened with another man, but women, be aware that once you deal with the dog, the owner could be a problem so be ready to get out of there or defend yourself against a human. Never thought I'd see the day--- but I did.

This has been my biggest concern as well. People are really unhinged where I live, even teenagers!! A group of them attacked a man and then wouldn’t let him leave when he got in his car. Lots of “I’m cool because I have a GSD, pit, corso” types as well. And I’m seeing a surge in mega Karens.

 

[Bearshandler]

I'm not following how I could get a 2nd leash on a growling snapping dog while controlling my own, unless you're just looping it around its head. Nor would I stick my hands onto an attacking dogs collar. Maybe I'm not understanding.

I carry a very stout 4' hardwood stick which I have no dount can break a shoulder or foreleg if necessary. A skull if I was the one being attacked. The butt end is very persuasive in close quarters. My physical presence, yelling "NO!" with the stick extended at a 45 has been enough so far and causes most dog to hesitate and at the most, circle. But we have not encountered a truly determined dog yet who has gotten close enough for Harley to go at and I'd have to control him.

The only time we had a real issue, I was walking my little girl and a neighbor's Pit had escaped (it was a neighborhood biter, people and dogs) and my GSD bitch took it off its feet at the shoulder. Still, it didn't run away but didn't approach us further.

My daughter carries a pepper spray like cannister for coyotes but marketed as for aggresive dogs.

I also carry a 4" straight blade which I hope is never necessary but would be utilized in the case of multiple coyotes engaged on one of my dogs.

By attaching it to the collar? By attaching it to the harness? By bringing it under the neck and looping it through the handle? If you don’t have control of one dog, then you don’t have the ability to stop the fight anyway so it’s pointless holding onto the leash.

 

[Dunkirk]

When Nitro was attacked, the attacker's handler was useless. The dog, estimated weight 120lbs, finally let go of Nitro after I pounded on it hard with a stick, long enough for me to get tired. I would not have survived if it had redirected on me.

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[WNGD]

By attaching it to the collar? By attaching it to the harness? By bringing it under the neck and looping it through the handle? If you don’t have control of one dog, then you don’t have the ability to stop the fight anyway so it’s pointless holding onto the leash.

Yah OK, I thought I had misunderstood.

I'm not sticking my hand out to geab a collar to control an attacking dog but others may want to try their luck. And I thought this dicussion was primarily about an out of control dog coming at you(rs), not a dog fight. I'm not thinking about a dog just running up and growling or posturing so I'll stick with trying to disuade the dog in a manner that doesn't involve trying to attach a leash to its collar. Like I said, luckily I haven't had too many out of control dogs around here.

 

[Bearshandler]

Yah OK, I thought I had misunderstood.

I'm not sticking my hand out to geab a collar to control an attacking dog but others may want to try their luck. And I thought this dicussion was primarily about an out of control dog coming at you(rs), not a dog fight. I'm not thinking about a dog just running up and growling or posturing so I'll stick with trying to disuade the dog in a manner that doesn't involve trying to attach a leash to its collar. Like I said, luckily I haven't had too many out of control dogs around here.

In my experience, in all the fights I’ve broken up, no dog has ever redirected at me for grabbing their collar. First off, I grab it from behind. I don’t stick my hands in their mouths. Second, in every full blown dog fight I’ve seen the dogs have zero concerns or awareness about where I am or what I’m doing. If you don’t go in and cause pain or pull them away with your hand near the head, you don’t get bitten. Most of the time not only is their focus on the other dog, but they quickly grab on. They generally don’t come off unless something is done to make them. I’m saying this based on hypotheticals. I speak from experience.