Using pepper spray for a dog attack? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

CruiserCody · 10-04-2010, 05:51 AM

In the past I've seen posts where dogs have been attacked but I was wondering whether anyone carries (or has used) pepper spray on an aggressive dog.

Yesterday my DH and I were walking Cody and we were passing a woman with a large German Shepherd on a leash. The dog was barking, growling and showing his teeth. The woman was trying to calm him down and he knocked her to the ground. It was all that she could do to hold on to him. My DH asked her if she needed help and she declined. If that dog has gotten loose, my poor baby could have been hurt.

Usually Cody and I walk alone so I'm thinking about getting pepper spray just in case. But I wonder whether it actually works on an aggressive dog.

Deuce · 10-04-2010, 06:13 AM

I would be concerned about the pepper spray unintentionally getting on your dog as well as yourself. If the wind blew it into your eyes, you would be unable to grab your pup and run off. Honestly I don't know what you should do about it, I don't take Rizzo for walks around my block because there are too many loose strays around here, I just take him to dog parks and for walks around safe and gated parks. It sucks, but it's the only safe think I can do for both of us.

Deuce · 10-04-2010, 06:14 AM

Maybe get a retractable beating stick...not sure what they are called, that's just the most descriptive I can get with them, if an aggressive dog comes up on you pull it out and start swinging, they'll back off.

Beamers Mom · 10-04-2010, 06:47 AM

there is a product called "Dazer" which is supposed to work to repel dogs, it is an ultrasound device. Runs about $25 I think.

CouversMom · 10-04-2010, 07:19 AM

I had the same problem this weekend... My DH and I were walking our two on Saturday evening (it was starting to get dark) and we walked past a yard with a pitbull that was chained up. The moment we saw that he was barking aggressively and pulling hard on his chain, we picked up our pups and he pulled the stake out of the ground! There was only a 4 foot fence between us and this huge dog. I honestly thought that he was going to jump the fence, and we both started running for our lives

This sparked the conversation with my husband about pepper spray... I'm looking into different options, but we definitely need something to protect our babies on our walks

megansmomma · 10-04-2010, 07:23 AM

I personally would not use pepper spray for the reason above. Beamersmom suggest the ultrasonic repeller that I know works. They sell one on Ebay for about half the price called BarkRepellar. There is a thread in the training forum with all kinds of great reviews. Let me add~my sister has 2 Dobs and it works on them. They are not aggressive but their barking made my mom (who lives with them) crazy. So I bought on for her and she loves it. When she is home alone they barked at everything going past the house~including leaves, squirrels, kids on bikes you name it. Now she uses the "zapper" and it stops their barking immediately.

The really funny thing is that my sister has no idea that she has it or even uses it.

Here is the thread:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/tra...-repeller.html

Here is the link to Ebay that I used:
Dog REPELLER BARK Trainer STOP BARKING! Dog Training! - eBay (item 360305759139 end time Oct-07-10 08:46:57 PDT)

Let me add this as well~it does work well for fence barkers and also when my little sweethearts when they get overly excited in the yard too.

joann1166 · 10-04-2010, 07:24 AM

That is scary. I don't walk Charlie and Natalie in our neighborhood either cause of dogs being loose. They have come into our yard and growl at the kids and we threatened to call the dog patrol on them....but I still dont trust them. I keep a good lookout for any dogs that are around now. I only walk them at the park where i can pick them up and run if there is another dog around if necessary.

CruiserCody · 10-04-2010, 07:38 AM

[QUOTE=megansmomma;3289528]I personally would not use pepper spray for the reason above. Beamersmom suggest the ultrasonic repeller that I know works. They sell one on Ebay for about half the price called BarkRepellar.
QUOTE]

I actually bought the BarkRepeller on Ebay for Cody to teach him not to bark. Didn't work on him or the neighbors dog. So I'd be a little leary about depending on it to repel an agressive dog. I'm sure it works on some but my experience hasn't been good.

CruiserCody · 10-04-2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CouversMom

I had the same problem this weekend... My DH and I were walking our two on Saturday evening (it was starting to get dark) and we walked past a yard with a pitbull that was chained up. The moment we saw that he was barking aggressively and pulling hard on his chain, we picked up our pups and he pulled the stake out of the ground! There was only a 4 foot fence between us and this huge dog. I honestly thought that he was going to jump the fence, and we both started running for our lives

This sparked the conversation with my husband about pepper spray... I'm looking into different options, but we definitely need something to protect our babies on our walks

I'd love to know what you come up with. I'm not wild about pepper spray for a number of reasons so I'm looking for suggestions. I've read about other sprays like citronella but I've never heard of an actual use on an aggressive big dog.

Ladymom · 10-04-2010, 07:58 AM

Citronella won't work on on aggressive dog bent on attack. Trying to beat it with a stick may get you injured, too. Remember, all it takes is one shake by a predatory dog to break their neck. You won't have that much time if you are attacked.

I have carried Mace's Muzzle ever since a loose dog snuck up behind Lady and I. I fell on the frozen ground and broke my pelvis trying to save her. Thankfully the dog's owner was right there (a child had let him out).

I have never had to use it and hope I never do. I worry about it getting in Lady's eyes, too, if I ever needed to, but if it saved her life it would be okay. It just stings, but doesn't do any permanent damage.

Amazon.com: Mace Brand Muzzle Dog Repellent...

trin7 · 10-04-2010, 09:19 AM

I will be getting dog spray soon. My husband is a letter carrier and it has saved him quite a few times. Just make sure you are thinking when you use it and it is directed at the aggressive dog, don't spray it into the wind, etc. I'm sure there are other choices but I'm going with something that has been used successfully for years and not once inaccurately. I'm not going to let irresponsible pet owners confine me to my back yard.

Rhetts_mama · 10-04-2010, 09:21 AM

I do carry pepper spray- yes, there is a risk of it getting in to my eyes as well as my dogs, but I'd rather do a lot of rinsing then get bit.

OwnedByJezebel · 10-04-2010, 10:01 AM

I've been wanting to carry pepper spray ever since Jezebel and I were jumped by two huge german shepherds several months ago. I was able to scoop her up and cradle her before they reached us, but they jumped up all over me and scratched me. It could have been much worse. They were being walked by a small woman who just wasn't able to control them, boy did I give her a piece of my mind.

Now that the weather isn't so blazing hot, I've wanted to go out for walks more and I've told hubby I want some pepper spray to carry. He came home that other day with a can about the size of hair mousse! Too big to carry around, so I'm looking for something smaller.

I'm a runner, and when I'm out on a run, I don't worry at all about dogs. It's when I've got my little one with me that I'm concerned.

Ladymom · 10-04-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OwnedByJezebel

I've been wanting to carry pepper spray ever since Jezebel and I were jumped by two huge german shepherds several months ago. I was able to scoop her up and cradle her before they reached us, but they jumped up all over me and scratched me. It could have been much worse. They were being walked by a small woman who just wasn't able to control them, boy did I give her a piece of my mind.

Now that the weather isn't so blazing hot, I've wanted to go out for walks more and I've told hubby I want some pepper spray to carry. He came home that other day with a can about the size of hair mousse! Too big to carry around, so I'm looking for something smaller.

I'm a runner, and when I'm out on a run, I don't worry at all about dogs. It's when I've got my little one with me that I'm concerned.

Muzzle is very small. It comes on a chain so you can attach it to a belt or leash.

Rhetts_mama · 10-04-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OwnedByJezebel

I've been wanting to carry pepper spray ever since Jezebel and I were jumped by two huge german shepherds several months ago. I was able to scoop her up and cradle her before they reached us, but they jumped up all over me and scratched me. It could have been much worse. They were being walked by a small woman who just wasn't able to control them, boy did I give her a piece of my mind.

Now that the weather isn't so blazing hot, I've wanted to go out for walks more and I've told hubby I want some pepper spray to carry. He came home that other day with a can about the size of hair mousse! Too big to carry around, so I'm looking for something smaller.

I'm a runner, and when I'm out on a run, I don't worry at all about dogs. It's when I've got my little one with me that I'm concerned.

This is the one I carry. It's about 4 or 5 inches long and very light.

Amazon.com: SABRE Compact Pepper Spray with Quick...

10-04-2010, 05:51 AM	#1
CruiserCody Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 163	Using pepper spray for a dog attack? In the past I've seen posts where dogs have been attacked but I was wondering whether anyone carries (or has used) pepper spray on an aggressive dog. Yesterday my DH and I were walking Cody and we were passing a woman with a large German Shepherd on a leash. The dog was barking, growling and showing his teeth. The woman was trying to calm him down and he knocked her to the ground. It was all that she could do to hold on to him. My DH asked her if she needed help and she declined. If that dog has gotten loose, my poor baby could have been hurt. Usually Cody and I walk alone so I'm thinking about getting pepper spray just in case. But I wonder whether it actually works on an aggressive dog.

10-04-2010, 06:47 AM	#4
Beamers Mom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Palm Bay, Fl, USA Posts: 5,957	there is a product called "Dazer" which is supposed to work to repel dogs, it is an ultrasound device. Runs about $25 I think. __________________ Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered. - Bob Barker

10-04-2010, 07:19 AM	#5
CouversMom and Khloe Mae's too! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 14,732	I had the same problem this weekend... My DH and I were walking our two on Saturday evening (it was starting to get dark) and we walked past a yard with a pitbull that was chained up. The moment we saw that he was barking aggressively and pulling hard on his chain, we picked up our pups and he pulled the stake out of the ground! There was only a 4 foot fence between us and this huge dog. I honestly thought that he was going to jump the fence, and we both started running for our lives This sparked the conversation with my husband about pepper spray... I'm looking into different options, but we definitely need something to protect our babies on our walks __________________ Michelle- mommy to Couver and Khloe Mae! http://yorkiehavenrescue.com/

10-04-2010, 07:23 AM	#6
megansmomma Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL Posts: 12,235	I personally would not use pepper spray for the reason above. Beamersmom suggest the ultrasonic repeller that I know works. They sell one on Ebay for about half the price called BarkRepellar. There is a thread in the training forum with all kinds of great reviews. Let me add~my sister has 2 Dobs and it works on them. They are not aggressive but their barking made my mom (who lives with them) crazy. So I bought on for her and she loves it. When she is home alone they barked at everything going past the house~including leaves, squirrels, kids on bikes you name it. Now she uses the "zapper" and it stops their barking immediately. The really funny thing is that my sister has no idea that she has it or even uses it. Here is the thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/tra...-repeller.html Here is the link to Ebay that I used: Dog REPELLER BARK Trainer STOP BARKING! Dog Training! - eBay (item 360305759139 end time Oct-07-10 08:46:57 PDT) Let me add this as well~it does work well for fence barkers and also when my little sweethearts when they get overly excited in the yard too. __________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain

10-04-2010, 07:58 AM	#10
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Citronella won't work on on aggressive dog bent on attack. Trying to beat it with a stick may get you injured, too. Remember, all it takes is one shake by a predatory dog to break their neck. You won't have that much time if you are attacked. I have carried Mace's Muzzle ever since a loose dog snuck up behind Lady and I. I fell on the frozen ground and broke my pelvis trying to save her. Thankfully the dog's owner was right there (a child had let him out). I have never had to use it and hope I never do. I worry about it getting in Lady's eyes, too, if I ever needed to, but if it saved her life it would be okay. It just stings, but doesn't do any permanent damage. Amazon.com: Mace Brand Muzzle Dog Repellent... __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

10-04-2010, 06:13 AM	#2
Deuce No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,717 Blog Entries: 1	I would be concerned about the pepper spray unintentionally getting on your dog as well as yourself. If the wind blew it into your eyes, you would be unable to grab your pup and run off. Honestly I don't know what you should do about it, I don't take Rizzo for walks around my block because there are too many loose strays around here, I just take him to dog parks and for walks around safe and gated parks. It sucks, but it's the only safe think I can do for both of us.

10-04-2010, 06:14 AM	#3
Deuce No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,717 Blog Entries: 1	Maybe get a retractable beating stick...not sure what they are called, that's just the most descriptive I can get with them, if an aggressive dog comes up on you pull it out and start swinging, they'll back off.

10-04-2010, 07:24 AM	#7
joann1166 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Arab, AL, USA Posts: 1,117 Blog Entries: 1	That is scary. I don't walk Charlie and Natalie in our neighborhood either cause of dogs being loose. They have come into our yard and growl at the kids and we threatened to call the dog patrol on them....but I still dont trust them. I keep a good lookout for any dogs that are around now. I only walk them at the park where i can pick them up and run if there is another dog around if necessary.

10-04-2010, 07:38 AM	#8
CruiserCody Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 163	[QUOTE=megansmomma;3289528]I personally would not use pepper spray for the reason above. Beamersmom suggest the ultrasonic repeller that I know works. They sell one on Ebay for about half the price called BarkRepellar. QUOTE] I actually bought the BarkRepeller on Ebay for Cody to teach him not to bark. Didn't work on him or the neighbors dog. So I'd be a little leary about depending on it to repel an agressive dog. I'm sure it works on some but my experience hasn't been good.

10-04-2010, 09:19 AM	#11
trin7 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 554	I will be getting dog spray soon. My husband is a letter carrier and it has saved him quite a few times. Just make sure you are thinking when you use it and it is directed at the aggressive dog, don't spray it into the wind, etc. I'm sure there are other choices but I'm going with something that has been used successfully for years and not once inaccurately. I'm not going to let irresponsible pet owners confine me to my back yard.

10-04-2010, 09:21 AM	#12
Rhetts_mama Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	I do carry pepper spray- yes, there is a risk of it getting in to my eyes as well as my dogs, but I'd rather do a lot of rinsing then get bit. __________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.

10-04-2010, 10:01 AM	#13
OwnedByJezebel YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,921	I've been wanting to carry pepper spray ever since Jezebel and I were jumped by two huge german shepherds several months ago. I was able to scoop her up and cradle her before they reached us, but they jumped up all over me and scratched me. It could have been much worse. They were being walked by a small woman who just wasn't able to control them, boy did I give her a piece of my mind. Now that the weather isn't so blazing hot, I've wanted to go out for walks more and I've told hubby I want some pepper spray to carry. He came home that other day with a can about the size of hair mousse! Too big to carry around, so I'm looking for something smaller. I'm a runner, and when I'm out on a run, I don't worry at all about dogs. It's when I've got my little one with me that I'm concerned. __________________ Life is merrier with a Yorkshire Terrier! Jezebel & Chuy ... RIP: Barkley Loosie & Sassy