What to do in a dog attack?

[LizMarie]

I normally don't take my dog out everyday because after 5 minutes she's begging me to take her back home but lately I've been taking her out for 20 minute walks so she can get some exercise and to enjoy the beautiful summer mornings that we're getting now. Well today I was a little late and took her out at 12pm which is the time when A LOT of the people around here start taking out their bigger dogs. I live in a neighborhood where I know that a lot of people haven't socialized their dogs enough and we have a few of those jerks that abuse their dogs and make them out to be aggressive monsters. I've looked out my window a few times to see some let loose a pitbull that is extremely dog/cat aggressive and goes chasing whatever they see on 4-legs this is part of the reason i like to take my dog out at around 10-10:30 because most of those people and their dogs are still sleeping.

Anyway I took Luna out today and everything was dandy took her into a patch of grass she did her business, walked around it for a bit then I was going to take her around the circle path behind my building. I'm walking around when this woman brings out this huge rotti. I relax and try to keep calm and keep on moving but keep my eye on the dog. Soon the rotti sees Luna and can't stop barking/growling and tugging on its make-shift leash. The leash wasn't a chain, nylon or even rope it was like a bunch of twine frying on the ended by her hand. Once I saw that I started to panic a little because my dog is 12lbs and that dog was around 70lbs and the owner couldn't really control him or her. I looked around and saw a gated in area and walked in there with my dog, closed to gate and tried to relax so Luna wouldn't be too scared but too late. When the dog started growling at her she had started shaking a little and she was already begging me to pick her up and leave (she's a little punk) . Being that the dog was in the same direction of my building I decided to go around the other way to the front of the building out of the rotti's site. On my way over there I see this 40-50lb pitbull running around with NO collar or leash in a partially gated area (only 3sides were gated the other side just had a bar that she/he could jump over or go under). This time I didn't see an owner or have any fenced in areas to retreat too so I stood by a tree trying to see if I could find an owner and evaluate the situation but soon enough someone called for the dog and he ran into the building. By that time Luna put her little feet into action an damn near ran me back into my building.

When I got upstairs I started to think "what if" that woman let go of that rotti or the leash broke, "what if" that pitbull didn't seem so friendly and would have attacked me or my dog? Does anyone have any tips or things I can do if that situation ever arises? I rather be somewhat prepared than absolutely clueless screaming for help because I have no idea what to do..

 

[Ratman667]

Walk with a solid wood cane. Not only does it look cool, you have a club if you need it.

It sounds cruel, but if those dogs have their mind set on attacking your dog and the owner can't control it, it may be your only chance.

Or.... The more humane thing would be to get a can of pepper spray. I don't know how well this would work, but I'm sure the dog wouldn't like it.

 

[Barbel]

I really wish people would be more responsible with their dogs!
I don't know what to do once a dog starts attacking you, but I do know you are NEVER supposed to run from a dog. That will just make it chase you. You just turn around and walk away at a normal pace calmly.
I had a job once where I had to put fliers on people's doors. This guy and I were walking together and we came up to a house that, for some odd reason didn't have a door. They weren't home and as we were about to leave a huge German Shepard greeted us not so nicely at the doorway. He was barking and growling. Though it was really scary, and as hard as it was, we just turned and walked down the street. He followed behind us for a little over a block before finally turning and going back home.
You might go to a pet store and see if they have any sprays or anything. Pepper spray will work, but if you need to use it, try not to overdue it because it can cause blindness. My friend's dog got out once and someone sprayed her with it and she went blind in one eye.

 

[LizMarie]

I have pepper spray and I fear injuring the dog and myself.. I will be the idiot to spray it and inhale it myself. I'll see if they have anything at the pet store..

 

[Krow]

You could do like I do, carry pepper spray with you at all times(could help in any other kind of attack), a load air horn, or do like me & get a gun permit & carry a small handgun in your purse(also could with any othe kind of attck).)

 

[snakegirl]

what i have been told is if you are "Helpless" just walking around the block and a dog seems to be growling or you have the feeling it might attack. Stand still. do not walk or run away. (that will/can trigger a attack/chase) Do not make eye contact. this sometimes will make the dog take it as a threat and attack. Stand your ground. If the dog is moving closer and you are now 100% sure this dog is going to attack you.

this is a good time to take out your pepper spray or something else you might have. and aim. (no one wants to hurt a animal however you need to protect yourself!)

some people will yell "NO DOG" or something loud and try to show the dog you are stronger and brake the rules and seem like a stronger threat. However i belive this will Make the dog that much more to want to attack you and when this happens you only have moments to do something So choose wisely.

If none of this works you should curl up in a ball, tucking your head into your chest and keep your arms over your head tightly. if you have a small dog your best bet is to tuck the dog under your chest as you curl up then keep your hands over your head like before.

i have been attacked by dogs before. Once when i was younger and running from the dog....Never a good idea...i was on the ground faster then you could think a dog to push you down. and Once your down And not balled up..there is little chance you will be able to get back up.

Once was the "stand your ground" a dog saw me from a block away walking..i heard the owner screaming "It bites!!" i Stop once i saw it running at me. waiting for it to come near i looked at the ground near it as it came 5 feet away it stopped and starting barking,growling and acting like it was going to attack. Till the owner cough up and held it. He even asked "How did you do that?"


Last time was a pitbull. i happen to even play with a few times and really like this dog....One day when i showed up the dog came in to attack mood, snarling at the fence ramming it to get at me.before i could even come in. the owner came out grabbing it and putting it inside. it ran to a glass sliding door and bite at the handles to still once again attack me. i left. However if the owner didn't come out to grab the dog am 100% it would have hurt me even if i had done "stand your ground".

remember whenever a dog attacks you only have a few moments to decide what to do!

 

[Chewbecca]

They make a spray called "Direct Stop" it's a citronella spray and it's supposed to deter dogs because they HATE the smell.
I used it on a loose lab that ran up to my dog and me, and it did NOTHING but make the dog stop for 2 seconds to sneeze, then it proceeded to come up to us anyway.

I carry my cell phone and I have AC's number programmed in (have had to use it before), and I carry a 3 1/2' PVC pipe.

Whatever you do NEVER carry treats and attempt to use those to deter the dog.
A lot of people do, and to me, it only reinforces a behavior you don't want (you don't WANT the dog to approach you and your dog).

Don't be scared of hurting another dog with pepper spray.
Think of it this way: It could be you and/or your dog that gets injured. You're protecting you AND your dog.
Unfortunately, irresponsible people who allow their dogs to just "roam" off leash make their dog pay for their stupidity and irresponsible ownership.
That's not YOUR fault. You do what you have to to protect yourself and your dog.

If an off leash dog runs towards you and you have a tree or a gate or ANYTHING near you, and you have time, tie your dog's leash to it, so that you have the ability to take better control of the situation.


See, on walks, I'm ready to beat the snot out of any dog that runs up to me in an aggressive manner.

Sure, I don't want to hurt someone else's dog, but I'll be damned if me or my dog are going to pay for someone ELSE'S irresponsibility.

 

[DarthGekko]

They make a spray called "Direct Stop" it's a citronella spray and it's supposed to deter dogs because they HATE the smell.
I used it on a loose lab that ran up to my dog and me, and it did NOTHING but make the dog stop for 2 seconds to sneeze, then it proceeded to come up to us anyway.

I carry my cell phone and I have AC's number programmed in (have had to use it before), and I carry a 3 1/2' PVC pipe.

Whatever you do NEVER carry treats and attempt to use those to deter the dog.
A lot of people do, and to me, it only reinforces a behavior you don't want (you don't WANT the dog to approach you and your dog).

Don't be scared of hurting another dog with pepper spray.
Think of it this way: It could be you and/or your dog that gets injured. You're protecting you AND your dog.
Unfortunately, irresponsible people who allow their dogs to just "roam" off leash make their dog pay for their stupidity and irresponsible ownership.
That's not YOUR fault. You do what you have to to protect yourself and your dog.

If an off leash dog runs towards you and you have a tree or a gate or ANYTHING near you, and you have time, tie your dog's leash to it, so that you have the ability to take better control of the situation.


See, on walks, I'm ready to beat the snot out of any dog that runs up to me in an aggressive manner.

Sure, I don't want to hurt someone else's dog, but I'll be damned if me or my dog are going to pay for someone ELSE'S irresponsibility.

Dang Rebecca! You are "Walking Tall"

 

[DudleyDoright]

You could do like I do, carry pepper spray with you at all times(could help in any other kind of attack), a load air horn, or do like me & get a gun permit & carry a small handgun in your purse(also could with any othe kind of attck).)

Hmmmm, didn't know minors could get a permit to carry or even own a handgun. Care to explain?

...but as for the original subject, I have also heard the "direct stop" stuff doesn't work so well, maybe pepper spray would be better. That's scary stuff thinking about be attacked!

 

[Chewbecca]

hahaha, Nate.
When you have a dog aggressive dog that you walk on leash like I do (that has just as much a right to enjoy a calm walk while contained ON LEASH), you have to be prepared to take control if an off leash dog runs up to you.


They also make a spray called "HALT! Dog Repellent".
It's what mail men use.
It's pretty effective according to my sister-in-law who has had to use it on her mail routes before.

 

[RocksMama77]

I have worked with all kinds of dogs and have only been attacked once. If there is a dog fight and you yourself are not involved throw something. A rock or stick or full water bottle. Usually that will snap a dog out of it. If the doesn't work then try stomping your foot between or close to the dogs that are fighting. I wouldn't suggest going into it yourself although if it is your dog getting attacked that can be your first instinct. I personally have done this several times and got bitten once. I always go for the throat. Grab and clamp down as hard as you can and throw the dog as hard as you can and then advance on the attacking dog. The dog will take it that you are a bigger threat and will usually give up. If you get bitten do not jerk away shove the bitten part of your body into their mouths. It will then let go. If you jerk away you will rip your muscle and skin making the bite much worse.
Dogs are instinctual and have very strong survival instincts. When you are encountered with a big aggressive dog make yourself as big as possible and project yourself as dominant. The bigger and more confident you are the less likely you will be attacked.
I hope this helps and I apologize for other ignorant owners. I have two rottys and I have socialized them since they were four weeks old. They love humans and animals alike. People get these aggressive breeds and then have no knowledge on how toy handle them. It makes me so mad. Just don't let a few aggressive animals turn you against a breed. Its the people who are to blame not the animals.

 

[Krow]

Hmmmm, didn't know minors could get a permit to carry or even own a handgun. Care to explain?

I dont have a handgun permit yet, you have to be 21 & that's when I will be getting it. But other than that, I already have plenty of guns, which sometimes I do carry 1 in my purse when we go sertain places.

 

[paulnj]

Liz, carry BEAR SPRAY if you want to deter a dog. It's basicly a large can of pepper spray. Works for humans too

 

[robin]

i have a BB gun hand pistol thing. no one will let me carry a real gun LOL i don't even think i could get a permit for one or a license heh


also, Krow, do you know how to take care of a gun, handle and shoot a gun? one other thing is guns are not made to just hurt someone, they are meant to kill. could you live with killing a animal or even a human being if you had to?

a seventeen year old carrying a gun is just an accident (even a fatal one) waiting to happen

 

[Tommy13b]

i have a BB gun hand pistol thing. no one will let me carry a real gun LOL i don't even think i could get a permit for one or a license heh


also, Krow, do you know how to take care of a gun, handle and shoot a gun? one other thing is guns are not made to just hurt someone, they are meant to kill. could you live with killing a animal or even a human being if you had to?

a seventeen year old carrying a gun is just an accident (even a fatal one) waiting to happen

Agreed, if a dog tryed to attack me, say a bigger dog, if you get the chance grab there bottem jaw and pull down, makes it harder for them to bite, And for a smaller dog, this may sound harsh but if its a full blown attack, mabey just kick it really hard?

 

[robin]

I have pepper spray and I fear injuring the dog and myself.. I will be the idiot to spray it and inhale it myself. I'll see if they have anything at the pet store..

the pepper spray hurts horribly but it does eventually go away. my brother maced me once when we were kids, so i know exactly how it feels LOL

 

[robin]

Agreed, if a dog tryed to attack me, say a bigger dog, if you get the chance grab there bottem jaw and pull down, makes it harder for them to bite, And for a smaller dog, this may sound harsh but if its a full blown attack, mabey just kick it really hard?

if two dogs are fighting the last place you physically want to be is in between them. pepper spray, mace, a stick, your foot but dont put your hands down there or your face. dont just put you foot in bwteen i mean use it to kick the other dog, yeah ok it sounds harsh but ya gotta go what ya gotta go.

 

[BalloonzForU]

1. Stay calm

2. move slowly, any fast movements will cause a chase and/or attack.

3. no eye contact. Eye contact to a dog is a challenge. (only eye contact with a dog you should have is when it's your own dog and never break the gaze before they do. It's like playing, who will blink first, winner is dominant.)
4. Most "humane" sprays do n
ot work on a dog that is full of adrinline and in attack mode, pepper spray, tear gas, etc is what you need. The humane stuff works mostly with training, like a spray bottle with water and a teaspoon of vinigar, it gets their mind off what they were doing and stops them only for a short time. In this case you need to stop the animal for more than just a few seconds.


BTW carrying a concealed weapon without a lic is a federal offence and if caught you will NEVER get that lic. Not to mention that at the age of 17 it's very risky, there are reasons at to why you can't get one till you are 21.

 

[robin]

4. Most "humane" sprays do n
ot work on a dog that is full of adrinline and in attack mode, pepper spray, tear gas, etc is what you need. [/COLOR]

lol dude that mace spray my brother used on me sure stopped me in my tracks!

 

[M&I Gecko]

mabey just kick it really hard?

I kicked a pit bull that was attacking my belgium shepherd and was soo surprised that it didn't do anything. I kicked as hard as I could and the pit just stood there smiling. Not that I have anything against pits. i own one thats a sweetheart but man they are freakin machines.