berkdogg

In all seriousness, the best self defense is not to put yourself in a situation where you'll need self defense. We have all seen late night joggers, ATM withdrawls, lone woman on a hiking trail. I am from Atlanta and I am no coward, but going places here with no sun is pretty much asking for it.

tranquility

C'mon ppl, this is getting a 'bit' OT. Well, at least we now know who is the 'alpha male' in terms of gender. *gulp*

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Striving to become the most educated future 'yellow eyebrow dog' (aka Doberman) owner.

Julie W

I agree wholeheartedly. The best defense is to be smart about when and where you go, and always be aware of your surroundings. If you park in a parking lot at night, park away from other vehicles, especially vans. Keep your field of vision clear and unobstructed. Don't dally at your car, push the remote unlock as you approach and don't hesitate getting in then immediately locking the doors before you put on your seatbelt or do anything else. Walk tall, with purpose, and with an air of confidence. Criminals that are scoping out possible victims are going to be looking for somebody that appears to be an easy target. They don't want a huge battle on their hands. They want somebody taking their time, unaware of their surroundings, digging in their purse for their keys for a while not noticing what is going on around them etc. If you put off an air of confidence, have your head held high, and look empowered they are less likely to "pick" you. Having your car unlocked by the time you get there and holding your keys in your fist with the tips of the keys jutting out between your fingers doesn't hurt either. And for god's sake, if you are grabbed make as much racket as you can. Try to be loud enough so the people in the next county can hear you and put up an enormous fight. Women have a distinct disadvantage over men in strength, but there are a few weak spots that don't require strength to target. Kick their knee cap backwards as hard as you can. If you succeed they will crumble like a bag of sand on the ground. Go for the eyes with splayed fingers. Ouch. Jam their nose in an upward thrust with all your might with your open palm. And of course, the obvious, knee them in the crotch in an attempt to ram their balls all the way into their chest cavity. They love that. And as mentioned earlier, holding your keys in your fist with the tips of the keys protruding through the cracks of your fingers makes your punch a lot more convincing.

This has nothing to do with being paranoid or fearful. It has to do with the fact that it doesn't ALWAYS only happen to other people. Just having some basic common sense and being aware that it CAN happen and arm yourself with the knowledge of what to do in such an event.

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"Cher"
Starlaine Turn Back Time WAC,TT, CGC, AD

My web site:
http://www.bayberrywhippets.com

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http://www.bayberry.smugmug.com/

RedFawnRising

You forgot the soft spot at the base of the throat, Julie W!

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It takes more than a baby and a box to make a normal monkey.—Harry F. Harlow

faber

my daughter is 2 and 1/2...im already telling her all the time, "Pay attention to whats going on around you."

Luvbirds59

I am a hiker.....and I go out alone...99% of the time, I do have by my side Petey...and I am not afraid...EVER. It was evident when he was very little that anything out of the ordinary set him off, he gets extremely cautious, and pumps himself up so he looks HUGE! I was attacked at around 14 by several guys, so hiking with a big dog helps me feel powerful!

Quick note....I don't believe in the whole alpha thing....Petey is my companion and best friend, I don't feel the need to dominate him, we have a mutual respect that so far is awesome!

oxc

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~*LIVE~LOVE~LAUGH*~

~LET THE PEACE OF THE WILDERNESS BE WITH YOU~

Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love....they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces and old dog: it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big.
Erica Jong

Crow

That's actually exactly what "Alpha" is all about. An Alpha wolf is Alpha by consent of the pack. It's not necessarily the strongest or the fastest or the fiercest wolf, and it can be a male or a female. It's the wolf that the other wolves respect to lead them and its job is to direct the other wolves, not to bully them. So in fact you've got "Alpha" spot on, from the sound of it.

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Charlie, smiling as usual

Luvbirds59

yes you could be right....my kids are always amazed at how much most dogs love me, they think I have some sort of trick. I was thinking more in terms of people who do the alpha roll, and things like that to show the dog you are the boss.

oxc

__________________
~*LIVE~LOVE~LAUGH*~

~LET THE PEACE OF THE WILDERNESS BE WITH YOU~

Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love....they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces and old dog: it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big.
Erica Jong

RedFawnRising

Yes, I've mentioned a few times before how I think the whole "alpha" terminology with its current connotations sets folks up for an adversarial relationship with the dog who should be their companion and beloved friend.

I gotta tell ya, if I had a human around me constantly trying to dominate me and rub it in my face, I sure wouldn't LIKE that human much or feel real enthused about carrying out their requests

Being a leader and being a tyrant, world of difference.

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It takes more than a baby and a box to make a normal monkey.—Harry F. Harlow

Luvbirds59

This is exactly what I was thinking too, huge difference. Petey wants to be with me, I'm fun and we always have a great time together no matter where we go or what we do. He is my 24/7 side kick. It seems like the older he gets, the more he is trying hard to please me, I'm no longer using the e-collar for off lead recalls, it has been off of him for a few weeks now...and he is giving me 100% even in the face of major distraction, people, dogs, deer, dirtbikes, beavers!!! I'm also transitioning off of his prong while out in public. He is becoming a really nice dog. Hubby said this morning....he really is the nicest, most fun dog we have ever owned, I think part of it is that he is a Doberman and the other part is that.....I learned so much here on DT, that his life has been very different then any other dog we ever owned.

oxc

__________________
~*LIVE~LOVE~LAUGH*~

~LET THE PEACE OF THE WILDERNESS BE WITH YOU~

Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love....they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces and old dog: it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big.
Erica Jong