Elzajpn

I simply cannot believe the owner's reaction. What kind of a crazy man Instead of apologizing you, followed and yelled until you left!? Crazy and irresponsible. I'm sorry you started the bad day from morning.

Protection advices were offered by other members I think.

From my experience that my dobe was bitten by a neighbor's dog, please be careful the next time when you happen to meet the same dog. Elza considers the dog as an one-and-only enemy and tries to charge her, like revenge. She remembers and identifies the dog and barks heavily!

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Nala5

Wow, I haven't experienced this yet. Makes me wonder if I need to start carrying something with me when we go on walks . The most I have had to deal with so far is the dogs that run up and are clearly just playing but are too excited and are totally annoying Nala while the owner either just stands there smiling or tries to start a conversation??? If the other dogs isn't responding and doesn't want to play aren't you supposed to remove your dog? I dont' get it. So then I end up having to get the dog to back off.

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Toby'shuman

I have to admit not all dogs take the hint when a size 10 US comes hurtling towards and makes contact with their body.
A great many of the hunters think their dogs are macho for attacking a Doberman, in fact I swear they goad their dogs into doing it.
if i were to let Toby off his leash (bear in mind he is fear reactive) I believe he would either go mental and rip the hunting dog to shreds or run off. (latter is less likely). Either way the hunters armed with shotguns etc may feel so motioned to shoot him.
My friend carries a water pistol with a citronella mix in it. It works i would say 50% of the time with the small dogs but rarely on the bigger more aggressive/determined dogs.


If it were legal for me to carry a mace spray here (actually it is legal but the police don't know their own countries statutes and so arrest you for possession much less using, even on a dog) I would do so.
I hear bear mace stops a dog in its tracks, it might also stop nutjob owners too.

What ever you decide upon I actually hope you never have occasion to use it.
But with irresponsible owners like the nutjob I fear you may have too.

Stay safe.

adhahn

Pepper spray is reasonably effective, easy to use, it won't injure the other dog (or yours if you accidentally hit it) and unless you have laws that specifically prohibit pepper spray LE isn't likely to harass you for carrying it.

You aren't going to fix idiot owners that believe all dogs should be 'nice', 'friendly' and submissive to their loose animals.

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"We cannot lose sight of the fact that Schutzhund is a BREED SUITABILITY test or we do a disservice to the German Shepherd dog. Conscientious breeders should train and test their bloodlines...not simple be in the "puppy business". " -- Gunther Diegel

ajp240

Thank you for the advice everyone. I'm not sure how effective pepper spray would work on a dog, and I'd be worried it could get into my dog's eyes (wind, etc) - but is definitely something I will look into.

Sadly, as much as I would like to think I won't be in a situation where I would need to use it, I think I will at some point. We have been approached by off leash dogs 3 times in the last 6 months.

GrdnDelite

I think firearms are more than would be needed. At least one hopes so.

The ammonia/water in a spray bottle is effective. I'd forgotten about it, as it does sting badly. My mom used that years ago for a neighbor cat that was slow to figure out that he was not actually welcome to use our pet door to come inside our house and make himself at home (batting our cats away from their own food, and other unfriendly behavior).

I fear wind direction and personal clumsiness with pepper spray and even the ammonia spray. That is why I prefer the baton.

I had a Saint Bernard jump my Standard Schnauzer once, many years ago; came around a hedge off his lot onto the sidewalk where I was walking my legally leashed dog. My dog was not harmed, but it drastically changed my view as to what I might be willing to carry to protect my own dog. A kick is not necessarily enough, depending on the dog(s). I also don't care to physically engage a dog that might choose to bite me as a result.

Teach your own dog a solid sit/stay or down/stay. My Schnauzer was trembling, but she did sit/stay when I asked her to, so that both of my own hands were available to deal with the Saint Bernard, without my having to worry my own dog might run into the street out of fear.

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It should be good to be Dog.