Do you take precautions when walking your dog(s)?

[abiyhayil]

Last year before DD was born, I would take DS and the dogs for a bike ride with my adult tricycle and DS in his iBert seat. I am now scanning yard sales and craigslist for an affordable bike trailer so we can all go out again. However, I am a little nervous about this. Neighbors across the way just let their two very large dogs outside, they are supervised but no leash and no fence, so what could the owner really do?? Also, a little girl was attacked by a dog that slipped the leash back in August. Would pepper spray be effective if I needed it? I worry about the worst case scenario most of the time, but I'd also like to be practical and be ready to do what I would need to y'know?

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by abiyhayil

Last year before DD was born, I would take DS and the dogs for a bike ride with my adult tricycle and DS in his iBert seat. I am now scanning yard sales and craigslist for an affordable bike trailer so we can all go out again. However, I am a little nervous about this. Neighbors across the way just let their two very large dogs outside, they are supervised but no leash and no fence, so what could the owner really do?? Also, a little girl was attacked by a dog that slipped the leash back in August. Would pepper spray be effective if I needed it? I worry about the worst case scenario most of the time, but I'd also like to be practical and be ready to do what I would need to y'know?

My dad pepper sprayed a rottweiler who was attacking him and his border collie. It was effective. It pissed off the owner- but the owner didn't have the dog on a leash, so what did he want my dad to do, let the dog kill my parents' dog?

[*Eva*]

Not many people around here have large dogs, actually mine is the largest on the block by far so not too concerned about her getting hurt while we're out. What does worry me is the fact that none of the "lovely" people around here put their tiny yappy nippy little dogs on leashes and they try and chase my dog and bite her. One day Lola is just going to snap and bite one of these yappers in half and then I'm going to be the one in trouble even though my dog was safely contained on a leash.

[midnightmommy]

Originally Posted by *Eva*

Not many people around here have large dogs, actually mine is the largest on the block by far so not too concerned about her getting hurt while we're out. What does worry me is the fact that none of the "lovely" people around here put their tiny yappy nippy little dogs on leashes and they try and chase my dog and bite her. One day Lola is just going to snap and bite one of these yappers in half and then I'm going to be the one in trouble even though my dog was safely contained on a leash.

We have a Lab that is well behaved. Could be let off her leash when I am out with her. I don't though. The neighbors let their little dogs run. They come in our yard and go after her! I can call her off...for now. Some day though I worry she won't listen, and kill one of them. I run with my dog and I don't carry anything. I've thought about it, but unless you are really good at dog language it's hard to gauge a dog that is going to bite, and one that says a very loud hello. You could really mess someone's good dog out of your own fear. Now if they are already attacking then duh!, but at that point you are already in a bad situation.

[stardogs]

I carry a citronella spray - Spray Shield - no risk of side effects from blow back and more likely to stop an aggressive dog without escalating the aggression. I wear it on my belt when I walk my dogs in any areas where I think we might encounter loose dogs.

[Zach'smom]

Timber and I have been rushed twice by off leash dogs. Both times we just stopped. The first dog barked like crazy and danced around us, but stayed a few feet away. The owner rushed over and grabbed it and said it was going to end up getting bit. My dog was showing no signs of aggression or biting. She just stood there with me. The second time a dog rushed us we stood still and the dog got bored of barking at us and went home. I really should carry my pepper spray or get some citronella spray in case we were attacked by a truly aggressive dog.

[plantnerd]

You bet. I carry pepper spray and a big stick. Usually just brandishing the stick is enough to deter a dog from approaching, but it would also help to break up a dog fight if I had to. If I had a penny for every time someone's loose dog approached and the owner says "oh, it's ok, she's friendly" Yeah, well my dog isn't, and is in protect mom mode, so you better come and get your dog! It ills me to no end that I can't even walk my dog with her short leash and training collar on without people putting me in situations like that. Penny has exscellent leash manners, however if she is pushed too hard I know she would fight, and it'll be my BIG leashed, controlled dog that gets the flak, rather than so and so's tiny, yappy, loose yorkie.