I am a believer in a good walking stick, for a variety of reasons. One reason is that dogs recognize it as threat, and are more likely not to close. I am also a believer in redundant systems such as pepper spray and air horns.
Walking stick for canids
- Thread starter Barry the Bear
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.308 Norma
Member
As a person that's been attacked by a dog when younger, I would still hate to kill someone's dog. They should also know that if their dog attacks someone, legally they could lose a lot.
But if the dog won't let up and continues the attack, sorry but I'm not getting bitten again! I have a scar that runs from the side of my face next to my eye, down to my lower cheek.
Besides a stick or gun, I've also found that steel toed boots will launch dogs through the air. Some dogs just don't learn when you yell at them.
The gun is for dog owners that lose their mind when they find out you had to protect yourself against their sweet little puppy!
But if the dog won't let up and continues the attack, sorry but I'm not getting bitten again! I have a scar that runs from the side of my face next to my eye, down to my lower cheek.
Besides a stick or gun, I've also found that steel toed boots will launch dogs through the air. Some dogs just don't learn when you yell at them.
The gun is for dog owners that lose their mind when they find out you had to protect yourself against their sweet little puppy!
FL-NC
Member
Unless a fox is rabid, they tend to be very shy in my experience. When I lived in NC, in the area I used to do my am run there were lots of poorly trained dogs that liked to aggressively chase everything. They responded well to pepper spray, which was much easier to carry than anything else when running. I also did my part in training dogs for the owners- after a time or 2 of that, they stopped chasing me. In fact, they never even moved from wherever they were again when I went for a run. This was several dogs in multiple locations on my route. I learned this trick in Haiti- any use of a firearm there required paperwork.
.308 Norma
Member
I may have told this story on THR before.
One hot summer afternoon when I was about 12, I was riding my bike over to “Johnson’s Ditch” to go swimming. And just as I started up the last hill, a couple of vicious little mutts came charging out of someone’s front yard while yelling at the top of their lungs. They quickly caught up with me, and each one took a pant leg to tear at. Luckily, I was wearing high-top boots, so I didn’t actually get bit, but I got the heck scared out of me. I think the dogs eventually just got bored and went home - they sure didn’t go home because I did anything to make them quit tormenting me.
Well, I’ve always been kind of vengeful. So, when I got to the top of the hill, I stopped, picked up a few nice-sized rocks, and headed back down that hill at full tilt. Sure enough - as I got close to the bottom of the hill, here came those two dogs out of their front yard again. When they got within range, I let fly at the lead dog.
The nearly fist sized rock hit the asphalt right between the dog’s front feet, bounced up, and obviously hit him right between his hind legs! He immediately dropped down on his rear end and started dragging himself around with his front feet, all the while howling like a cartoon dog. His “partner in crime” just stopped and watched the show, seemingly not able to understand what had just happened.
After that day, anytime I rode my bike past that house, and those dogs were in the front yard, the one that I’d hit with the rock would take off around behind the house, and the other dog would just stand in the yard and bark. I don’t think the other dog was brave or aggressive enough to take on a 12-year-old kid on a 3-speed Schwinn all by himself.
One hot summer afternoon when I was about 12, I was riding my bike over to “Johnson’s Ditch” to go swimming. And just as I started up the last hill, a couple of vicious little mutts came charging out of someone’s front yard while yelling at the top of their lungs. They quickly caught up with me, and each one took a pant leg to tear at. Luckily, I was wearing high-top boots, so I didn’t actually get bit, but I got the heck scared out of me. I think the dogs eventually just got bored and went home - they sure didn’t go home because I did anything to make them quit tormenting me.
Well, I’ve always been kind of vengeful. So, when I got to the top of the hill, I stopped, picked up a few nice-sized rocks, and headed back down that hill at full tilt. Sure enough - as I got close to the bottom of the hill, here came those two dogs out of their front yard again. When they got within range, I let fly at the lead dog.
The nearly fist sized rock hit the asphalt right between the dog’s front feet, bounced up, and obviously hit him right between his hind legs! He immediately dropped down on his rear end and started dragging himself around with his front feet, all the while howling like a cartoon dog. His “partner in crime” just stopped and watched the show, seemingly not able to understand what had just happened.
After that day, anytime I rode my bike past that house, and those dogs were in the front yard, the one that I’d hit with the rock would take off around behind the house, and the other dog would just stand in the yard and bark. I don’t think the other dog was brave or aggressive enough to take on a 12-year-old kid on a 3-speed Schwinn all by himself.
PWC
Member
In hi school, my friend had a little MG Sprite convertable (I think it was called) and I believe the top of the passenger door was only about 20" hi. When we used his car, a Boxer-Rotweiler mix down the street would chase us and the dogs mouth wasn't far from our face.
One time he stopped and tied a gunny sack to the rear wheel wire spokes. Driving slowly the sack just flopped around, when the dog came out, it "caught" us by the sack. My buddy gunned it, and we rolled the dog down the street about 100 feet, then stopped and let a very dizzy and confused dog untangle it's jaw. Drove further and cut the sack off. The dog never did chase us again, but it did chase other cars, but never caught one.
One time he stopped and tied a gunny sack to the rear wheel wire spokes. Driving slowly the sack just flopped around, when the dog came out, it "caught" us by the sack. My buddy gunned it, and we rolled the dog down the street about 100 feet, then stopped and let a very dizzy and confused dog untangle it's jaw. Drove further and cut the sack off. The dog never did chase us again, but it did chase other cars, but never caught one.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
Back when in my mid-20's I had a dog charge me on my bicycle. I grabbed the tire pump off the frame and swung it at the dog. As luck would have it, the pump extended out and popped that dog right on the nose.
After that it would still bark when I went by but stayed at the gate.
After that it would still bark when I went by but stayed at the gate.
They can and do take dogs that people are walking on lead.
But if you have anything like this with you, not happening.
kBob
Member
I am still trying to imagine a dog using a cane.
I like having a cane anytime I am out walking incase I need it to walk.
I used a Sheppard’s crook for my last hike with the scouts up in North Carolina. The boys and other adult leaders poked me about needing it to follow mountain paths (which I did) but I told them it was for when they abandoned me on the “upward trail” to keep off bears and banjos…. they thought I was joking. They abandoned me anyway. I did listen carefully for banjos.
Most were unaware that a hiking staff was part of the scout “uniform” pre 1960’s
Most fun for me was I left four trail markers where they could be easily seen on my way back down, as in they had to step over them. No one in the troop, Scout or leader, noticed a one!
-kBob
“…and here’s yea a fine stick to beat the lady with..” Name that film.
I like having a cane anytime I am out walking incase I need it to walk.
I used a Sheppard’s crook for my last hike with the scouts up in North Carolina. The boys and other adult leaders poked me about needing it to follow mountain paths (which I did) but I told them it was for when they abandoned me on the “upward trail” to keep off bears and banjos…. they thought I was joking. They abandoned me anyway. I did listen carefully for banjos.
Most were unaware that a hiking staff was part of the scout “uniform” pre 1960’s
Most fun for me was I left four trail markers where they could be easily seen on my way back down, as in they had to step over them. No one in the troop, Scout or leader, noticed a one!
-kBob
“…and here’s yea a fine stick to beat the lady with..” Name that film.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
The only dogs that ever came after me I quickly established dominance over and never had a problem with them again.
My favorite was back in the early 90s when I was working a second job delivering pizzas. One delivery, the person had a small dog chained up in the front yard. The small dog was definitely completely out classed by the chain and was kinda funny to see because of it. Anyway, I stood outside the dog's chain range as this little critter strained at his chain and put on a fantastic imitation of a vicious, blood thirsty killer with direct ties to his wolf heritage, and asked the owner to take care of the dog.
"Don't worry! He's all bark and no bite!"
So I walked right up to the door and that little dog started in on my ankle like he was that weasel from the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons.
I held the pizza bag in one hand and bent over as I swooped my other arm down in a long slap that knocked that dog halfway across the front yard until it was yanked to a stop by the chain.
The owner was..."upset"...shall we say and started threatening me with abusing his dog and threatening to call the police. I told him go ahead...in fact, I'd happily go back to my car and call them myself, then show them my pants leg and ankle when they showed up. Then I told him the next time he ordered a pizza, have his dog under control or come out of the house entirely to get his pizza.
Couple weeks later I delivered to the guy again. The tiny wolf-on-steroids-wannabe came at me to the end of his chain again. I know he couldn't understand English, but he sure understood who I was and what I meant when I said "So, you wanna go for Round two?" because he stopped and slunk off to the far side of the lawn on his chain.
Dogs in their own yards, I don't care about. That's THEIR territory and I'm of the opinion they have a right to bark and be threatening about it. Dogs on the loose, however....that's another story. Especially for two or more together, because they can be downright dangerous then.
My favorite was back in the early 90s when I was working a second job delivering pizzas. One delivery, the person had a small dog chained up in the front yard. The small dog was definitely completely out classed by the chain and was kinda funny to see because of it. Anyway, I stood outside the dog's chain range as this little critter strained at his chain and put on a fantastic imitation of a vicious, blood thirsty killer with direct ties to his wolf heritage, and asked the owner to take care of the dog.
"Don't worry! He's all bark and no bite!"
So I walked right up to the door and that little dog started in on my ankle like he was that weasel from the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons.
I held the pizza bag in one hand and bent over as I swooped my other arm down in a long slap that knocked that dog halfway across the front yard until it was yanked to a stop by the chain.
The owner was..."upset"...shall we say and started threatening me with abusing his dog and threatening to call the police. I told him go ahead...in fact, I'd happily go back to my car and call them myself, then show them my pants leg and ankle when they showed up. Then I told him the next time he ordered a pizza, have his dog under control or come out of the house entirely to get his pizza.
Couple weeks later I delivered to the guy again. The tiny wolf-on-steroids-wannabe came at me to the end of his chain again. I know he couldn't understand English, but he sure understood who I was and what I meant when I said "So, you wanna go for Round two?" because he stopped and slunk off to the far side of the lawn on his chain.
Dogs in their own yards, I don't care about. That's THEIR territory and I'm of the opinion they have a right to bark and be threatening about it. Dogs on the loose, however....that's another story. Especially for two or more together, because they can be downright dangerous then.
I started carrying during the "summer of love" 2020 when walking the dog after dark. There was a small protest in town but they never came back, maybe it was the feeling that a lot of the town people were carrying!
So one morning at 5:30 my dog got me up early to go out, as we reached the end of the drive, I shined my light up and down the road and saw two dogs up the road about 75 yds. away. I turned and was headed back to the house half way into my drive when the one dog latched onto my dog's ear.
Now my dog is howling and the second dog is barking at the both of us.
I tried beating on the dog's head who had my dog's ear in it's mouth with no results, at that point I drew my Kahr CW45 and shot at the dog on my dog,it was a lucky day for him as he must have zigged at the right time.
At that point both took off and I have never seen them again
So one morning at 5:30 my dog got me up early to go out, as we reached the end of the drive, I shined my light up and down the road and saw two dogs up the road about 75 yds. away. I turned and was headed back to the house half way into my drive when the one dog latched onto my dog's ear.
Now my dog is howling and the second dog is barking at the both of us.
I tried beating on the dog's head who had my dog's ear in it's mouth with no results, at that point I drew my Kahr CW45 and shot at the dog on my dog,it was a lucky day for him as he must have zigged at the right time.
At that point both took off and I have never seen them again
I wanted a trekking stick but was to cheap to pay for the commercial versions. I wanted the ability to mount a light and to use it as a gun prop for hunting. I want the ability to hook it onto something and then pull myself up or that thing to me. On the one side there's a plastic Picatinny rail holding the forward hand stop and a matching one a little lower down on the other side that can be used for a quick mount light. The sling is of course removable and yes that is a fireplace poker.
Now it is a little heavy so it's not a casual walkabout but I've found it useful for exploring. The light is only mounted for night time usage. I used it as pictured when exploring Driftwood Beach in GA and it was quite handy at poking and prodding at things in the sand.
Now it is a little heavy so it's not a casual walkabout but I've found it useful for exploring. The light is only mounted for night time usage. I used it as pictured when exploring Driftwood Beach in GA and it was quite handy at poking and prodding at things in the sand.
kBob
Member
Yep The Quiet Man Staring John Wayne.
We watch it every couple of years around my place. More than a couple of characters in the movie are seen with sticks.
Up stream someone mentioned Volks March canes. in the early to mid 1970’s some units in the US Army in Europe considered them illegal weapons because of the metal pointed tip…. go figure. I thought the little bragging shields you attached to the cane to show what Volks Marches you had made were cool. We joked about getting the company that made the little shields to make them reading “Hohenfells”, “Hielbronne” , “Baumholer” for the major training areas and putting them on our shelter half poles.
-kBob
We watch it every couple of years around my place. More than a couple of characters in the movie are seen with sticks.
Up stream someone mentioned Volks March canes. in the early to mid 1970’s some units in the US Army in Europe considered them illegal weapons because of the metal pointed tip…. go figure. I thought the little bragging shields you attached to the cane to show what Volks Marches you had made were cool. We joked about getting the company that made the little shields to make them reading “Hohenfells”, “Hielbronne” , “Baumholer” for the major training areas and putting them on our shelter half poles.
-kBob
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I am very partial to phenolic (canvas micarta) rods for impact use, and general hiking. They are heavier than wood, though they do look like wood at first glance.
For a dedicated impact tool, I would go for 1 1/8" 48" rod. For hiking, with impact being a very secondary role, I would go with 7/8 in. if you're a little handy, a hole can be drilled near one end, and a paracord handle wrapped around the rod. This not only improves grip, but also reinforces the idea of that this is a hiking stick, and not just a 4-ft whomping stick.
I guess you could also use grip tape near one end, if you're not so handy.
I have broken a lot of training tools over time, by striking things very hard with them. Phenolic rods are one of my very favorite impact tools for their extreme strength.
John
For a dedicated impact tool, I would go for 1 1/8" 48" rod. For hiking, with impact being a very secondary role, I would go with 7/8 in. if you're a little handy, a hole can be drilled near one end, and a paracord handle wrapped around the rod. This not only improves grip, but also reinforces the idea of that this is a hiking stick, and not just a 4-ft whomping stick.
I guess you could also use grip tape near one end, if you're not so handy.I have broken a lot of training tools over time, by striking things very hard with them. Phenolic rods are one of my very favorite impact tools for their extreme strength.
John
Wow, that is cool information to learn. I never knew there was such a thing and will look around.
I absolutely love the durable canvas micarta scales on my old Busse knives and they feel great.
Speedo66
Member
Curious how you attached the piece of fireplace poker in the stick so that it had the strength "to hook it onto something and then pull myself up".
JN01
Member
Walking stick for canids?
One made from dogwood, of course
One made from dogwood, of course
Seedy Character
Member
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Shanghai McCoy
Member
Walking stick for canids?
One made from dogwood, of course
Good one.
(And I actually have a walking stick made from dogwood...
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