Ron has a good point on the cane.....I don't recommend the baton for most people. Which was my point in my post.

The pepper spray in not a total solution. Wind and distance can be factors HOWEVER, it works pretty well and is useful for 2-legged pests as well, if needed. You just have to deploy it before the attacker is on you. There are inert practice sprays you can buy. Learn to read dog behaviour as best you can. It is usually pretty obvious if the dog is truly aggressive. You do not want to deploy spray if it is not necessary. Personally, with large-breed, aggressive breeds I don't take chances. But really, having a truly aggressive attack is very unusual. In my experience the tiny dogs are the ones to watch out for...and typically their owners are oblivious.

Edited August 16, 2016 by Jack Mayer

Fulltimed over 5 yrs and all over the country. Not one time was I ever attacked while walking my dog. This is a very rare thing indeed!

In most cases, the problem dogs are from the long-term people. I guess they think they live there and we are just visiting.

The little ankle bitters are not the problem as for attacks. But their owners seem to think that little Fifi won't hurt you.

We have a smaller standard schnauzer, about 33#, that used to get along with all dogs. But since she has been attacked by 3 larger dogs, she has become less friendly to dogs in general. I can't blame her though, as I have become "gun-shy" myself.

Last month I surprised myself when I had a 50# dog come at us snarling and when it went for Abby I grabbed him by the collar and completely lifted the dog off the ground and held it that way until the owner came out to the road to get the dog. He was not happy that I was choking his poor dog.

I really hate to see a dog harmed when the fault lies totally on the dog owner. It is the dog owner that needs the whack with the stick or the pepper spray.

How much is it to ask to keep your dog on a proper restraint?

I appreciate the suggestions of a spray or a walking stick or a cane. My old axe handle is going in the trash.

Ken

We got attacked twice, frightened several times. I have several scars on my arm from the second attack as a reminder that it can happen to me.

Our biggest issues so far have been from young kids that weigh less than the dog they are walking (read being dragged around) in a park. When the dog comes running over, kid in tow, they start yelling "He is friendly, he won't bite". That's fine, mine WILL bite. They don't seem to understand that someone else can have a dog that is aggressive towards other dogs. We keep Max in check and he is always on lead but he is not the most dog friendly critter in the park. Loves people but if your dog comes running up, friendly or not, Max will try to take a chunk of hide as a souvenir of the trip.

Unless you are very good and well trained, an ASP baton can kill or maim an animal (2 or 4 legs) but have their place as do walking sticks and pepper spray. Given a choice, try to use a can of bear spray or dog spray instead on the dog but make sure you do not use that spray on a person. Always try to use the minimum force required to stop a charge before escalating up the ladder.

Edited August 17, 2016 by GeorgiaHybrid

I once used the same pepper spray that are is issued to Postal employees--it didn't phase the dog at all. I lost all confidence in sprays, but have been tempted to buy the bear pepper spray, but it would be my luck the wind would blow it back at me and my dog.

  On 8/17/2016 at 7:54 AM, BigTexRex said:

I once used the same pepper spray that are is issued to Postal employees--it didn't phase the dog at all. I lost all confidence in sprays, but have been tempted to buy the bear pepper spray, but it would be my luck the wind would blow it back at me and my dog.

That is the problem with any spray. You WILL get it places you would prefer not to. Well, at least most of the time. It is a last resort if you need it. A walking stick is a great idea but it is not effective unless you practice how to use it. Really, attacks are rare, but they do happen. And using appropriate force is something you should take seriously....

Where is the OP staying because I don't want to go there. After three years traveling full time with two, now just one, dogs we have never been "attacked" by a dog off leash. I have encountered several instances where an off leash dog has rushed out to greet us but never, so far, in an aggressive manor. Maybe I have just been lucky.

Most dogs are not aggressive towards people, unless in a pack, but I've had my dog attacked five times in the last three years. Fortunately, my walking staff blocked and diverted all of them and the dogs were not overly aggressive. The worst one was a German Shepherd--I turned around to see it just as it leaped in the air, growling, mouth open with eyes on my dog. My staff blocked the attack and, fortunately. it was submissive to me and backed off.

Edited August 18, 2016 by BigTexRex

I live in the semi rural country where we all have five acres with woods in back and can shoot targets and hunt in our backyards. We have a leash law. I bought a spring operated BB pistol that won't penetrate cardboard and dogs will only get stung on the butt once to learn. If it is a big dog I have a .40 cal on me if the BB does not motivate them to leave fast.

However we had a problem with my FIL's rental tenant next door to his place several years ago. His tenant was accustomed to having his small children play on their swing set in their unfenced backyard. Two really big Rottweiler adults started terrorizing them in their own yard. I thought he was over reacting until I saw them approaching the yard with the kids in it. I chased them and found their home. Now out here we shoot dogs that attack humans. All it takes is a charge on our properties. So I went over to talk to the owner about his dogs trespassing and off leash scaring the children. He said that they could not have been his dogs though we both knew otherwise. So without missing a beat I said thank goodness because I almost shot them last time but was afraid they might be pets. Since no one else claimed them, they will be shot the next time they come on our property since they have to be DANGEROUS STRAYS AS WE HAVE LEASH LAWS.

That was 2003. Haven't seen them since. And the answer to the inevitable question is yes. I would shoot my own dog if she threatened even one child. And she knows and gets away from anyone that she feels uncomfortable around. She, and her buddy dog Skylar who just died in January, never leave pour property except to go to Home Depot, Lowes. Tractor Supply, Goodwill, and a lot of other places that I have been surprised are pet friendly as long as they are in arms, a leash and well behaved. Folks are always asking me where Maggie is when I have to leave her because I am going to some non pet friendly, like food stores justifiably so, when it is too hot to leave her in the car or truck. My pup is not just on a leash, but heels properly in stores and is polite in not approaching people who have not approached her or shy away. She loves going to see her buddies. Lots of folks ask if she is a "Service Dog," and ask if she can be approached. I tell them she isn't and go right ahead. She will not jump unless asked and gives all a few seconds of affection but is always eager to continue shopping and see some more new stuff.

While RVing Bogart was our pup and he was a full blooded beautiful Shar-Pei, who, at 60 pounds, was very large for the breed. Pics of him on my website below. He was the same and we got charged by the ankle biters who their masters did not even apologize for. I would hold mine back but he knew not to respond and just looked at them. The owners would come out to save their baby from the leashed dog being walked by his owner in the middle of the road. I have only once had a dog try to agress against me and I stood my ground with a pistol in his face waiting for him to attack or clear out. I have rescued a few strays and will call animal control as I don't want stray dogs around mine. Cats are my gripe. They need to be walked on a leash too. I like other people's cats. Just not leaving dirty paw prints on my freshly washed and waxed vehicles.

We have a stun flashlight, a steel collapsible baton, and guns. Hope we never have to use them because, as already said, it's the owners! Attitudes travel up and down the leash.

Edited August 18, 2016 by RV