markk
Member
Perhaps a Cold Steel Sjambok. I've heard it said that a handy way to carry one is to feed it through your belt loops like a belt.
Last edited:
It happened again
- Thread starter Gunnerpalace
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shouldifail
Member
Gunnerpalace, what line of work are you in?? Would it be possible that you could use something that may be appropriate in your line of work as a defensive weapon?
For example.... construction.....hammer
plumber......pipewrench
businessman...sturdy metal briefcase
Personally, I would go with something that wouldn't draw alot of attention. There is the old "roll up a bandana, tie the ends together forming a loop, and fasten a large padlock around the bandana" trick...just tuck the lock into your back pocket with some of the bandana hanging out. Probably not real legal, but I wouldn't assume carrying a knife large enough to quickly stop an attacking dog would be either.
Maybe see about picking up a stun-gun type device. I know they have them in the Cheaper than Dirt catalogs.
good luck.
chris
For example.... construction.....hammer
plumber......pipewrench
businessman...sturdy metal briefcase
Personally, I would go with something that wouldn't draw alot of attention. There is the old "roll up a bandana, tie the ends together forming a loop, and fasten a large padlock around the bandana" trick...just tuck the lock into your back pocket with some of the bandana hanging out. Probably not real legal, but I wouldn't assume carrying a knife large enough to quickly stop an attacking dog would be either.
Maybe see about picking up a stun-gun type device. I know they have them in the Cheaper than Dirt catalogs.
good luck.
chris
starpuss
Member
walking stick would forsure be my pick (maybe even a bb-gun)
SSN Vet
Member
several have posted in the past that a spray bottle with a mixture of ammonia and water does just the trick and won't permanently injure the dog.
Kimber1911_06238
Member
hahaha....BOO looks pretty ferocious. My cat (I call him dopey) really hates dogs. My grandma lives next to me and has two german shorthairs.....she lets them run around loose on our property several times a day. At first I thought dopey was toast when the dogs had him cornered....both dogs ended up running home to grandma with torn up noses.
Harley Quinn
Member
Loose dogs are always a problem.
If you are walking two dogs on leash's it would be tough to carry a stick unless you had it secure somehow. Some folks have mentioned a whistle that hurts the ears and we don't hear it
Depending on the way the whistle is used, a trainer may simply gather a dog's attention or inflict pain for the purpose of behavior modification.
Might not be a bad idea to have around if you walk dogs.
HQ
If you are walking two dogs on leash's it would be tough to carry a stick unless you had it secure somehow. Some folks have mentioned a whistle that hurts the ears and we don't hear it
Depending on the way the whistle is used, a trainer may simply gather a dog's attention or inflict pain for the purpose of behavior modification.
Might not be a bad idea to have around if you walk dogs.
HQ
emotions
To keep this at least gun related, not just cat related -
Boo was about 22 pounds at his best, could get to 25 if I let him. I actually have him under 20 pounds now as he is in his teens and has arthritis in his front paws.
I "inherited" my two current cats from a friend who went overseas. They were apartment dwellers. I live out in the country, so I was introducing them to going outdoors. They were pretty cautious about it, sticking pretty close to the front door but obviously fascinated.
One fall day I was in the yard doing some fall work. A couple of guys came out of the woods with 2 hunting dogs, cutting down a neighbor's driveway. The dogs saw cats and charged. The smaller cat scooted into some shrubs but Boo just stood there in the middle of the yard, looking at the onrushing dog curiously. He had never seen a dog before.
I was armed - I had a TZ-75 Witness Compact 9mm in a holster. Please keep the " is a 9mm adequate for lawn work" comments in another thread!
At any rate, as the dog lunged at the cat, I flashed on the fact that I was armed, but did not draw - my neighbor was running over from his yard where he had been working, and that made 4 humans, all yelling at the dogs, 2 fast moving dogs and 1 cat - all in my yard and moving fast. Looking back, I discarded the idea as unsafe. I ran to intercept the lead dog but saw that I was a couple of steps late. As the dogs jaws went at the cat, still standing there with head tilted, in the back of my mind I was sure I was going to be sending an e-mail with, "by the way, your cat is dead" in it.
What happened next was sudden and ugly. Boo grabbed the dog, a 80 pound+ golder retriever, with both front paws and threw him head first hard on the turf. In one to two seconds he opened up lacerations that would require several dozen stitches. When the dog tried to get away he pulled it down by the hindquarters and removed several golf ball sized chunks from the rib area. The dog survived, but did spend a couple of nights in the vet hospital.
The dog ran back across the way they had come - and the owner was very emotional. I was initially patient, but did get terse in reaffirming that his dog had been in my yard, he was still in my yard acting out of control. At one point I thought the guy might swing at me, and I was concerned since I was carrying. Of course, it would have been a much more emotionally charged scene if I had my pistol out and had just shot the dog! Fortunately, my neighbor, his buddy and I got the dogs under control, got the guy under control and got the focus on finding the injured dog. He came back and said the dog was badly hurt, so I grabbed some clean towels and went to where the dog was huddled. I held the towels on the wounds while he got his truck and I helped load the dog up.
The next day he came back with the freshly laundered towels. He wanted to apologize for having the dog off leash and for how he acted. He said he just lost it when he saw all the blood coming from his dog. He did ask, "what the heck was that thing?" and I told him it was a cat. He was shocked so I introduced him to Boo. He had thought it might have been a pet racoon!
So:
As many of the threads involving dogs show, emotions run high in this area.
Under MN law, however, perfectly legal to shoot a dog threatening domestic animals or livestock on your own property. Just because you can draw does not always mean you should.
Boo went on to impress on any dog that came in his yard that he could throw them to the ground, regardless of size. He never really injured one again though.
Years later, one of my best buddies was going through a divorce and came to bunk at my house, along with his dog, a doberman/boxer cross. Boo decided that, as long as we were letting the dog in the house that was OK, but he was going to teach the dog the rules. He only hit the dog once with claws out, but for weeks would belt the dog so hard the dog's head would snap and his eyes lose focus. After about a month, however, we started to notice the dog and cat were hanging out together, curling up together, eating together, etc. They became constant companions.
He loves my two labs now - they hang around together constantly and the labs clearly treat him as the "alpha dog".
To keep this at least gun related, not just cat related -
Boo was about 22 pounds at his best, could get to 25 if I let him. I actually have him under 20 pounds now as he is in his teens and has arthritis in his front paws.
I "inherited" my two current cats from a friend who went overseas. They were apartment dwellers. I live out in the country, so I was introducing them to going outdoors. They were pretty cautious about it, sticking pretty close to the front door but obviously fascinated.
One fall day I was in the yard doing some fall work. A couple of guys came out of the woods with 2 hunting dogs, cutting down a neighbor's driveway. The dogs saw cats and charged. The smaller cat scooted into some shrubs but Boo just stood there in the middle of the yard, looking at the onrushing dog curiously. He had never seen a dog before.
I was armed - I had a TZ-75 Witness Compact 9mm in a holster. Please keep the " is a 9mm adequate for lawn work" comments in another thread!
At any rate, as the dog lunged at the cat, I flashed on the fact that I was armed, but did not draw - my neighbor was running over from his yard where he had been working, and that made 4 humans, all yelling at the dogs, 2 fast moving dogs and 1 cat - all in my yard and moving fast. Looking back, I discarded the idea as unsafe. I ran to intercept the lead dog but saw that I was a couple of steps late. As the dogs jaws went at the cat, still standing there with head tilted, in the back of my mind I was sure I was going to be sending an e-mail with, "by the way, your cat is dead" in it.
What happened next was sudden and ugly. Boo grabbed the dog, a 80 pound+ golder retriever, with both front paws and threw him head first hard on the turf. In one to two seconds he opened up lacerations that would require several dozen stitches. When the dog tried to get away he pulled it down by the hindquarters and removed several golf ball sized chunks from the rib area. The dog survived, but did spend a couple of nights in the vet hospital.
The dog ran back across the way they had come - and the owner was very emotional. I was initially patient, but did get terse in reaffirming that his dog had been in my yard, he was still in my yard acting out of control. At one point I thought the guy might swing at me, and I was concerned since I was carrying. Of course, it would have been a much more emotionally charged scene if I had my pistol out and had just shot the dog! Fortunately, my neighbor, his buddy and I got the dogs under control, got the guy under control and got the focus on finding the injured dog. He came back and said the dog was badly hurt, so I grabbed some clean towels and went to where the dog was huddled. I held the towels on the wounds while he got his truck and I helped load the dog up.
The next day he came back with the freshly laundered towels. He wanted to apologize for having the dog off leash and for how he acted. He said he just lost it when he saw all the blood coming from his dog. He did ask, "what the heck was that thing?" and I told him it was a cat. He was shocked so I introduced him to Boo. He had thought it might have been a pet racoon!
So:
- dog recovered - eyes and nose OK
- Boo fine - not a hair mussed
- I kept pistol in holster and really think with the emotions involved, a firearm drawn would have been a bad thing
As many of the threads involving dogs show, emotions run high in this area.
Under MN law, however, perfectly legal to shoot a dog threatening domestic animals or livestock on your own property. Just because you can draw does not always mean you should.
Boo went on to impress on any dog that came in his yard that he could throw them to the ground, regardless of size. He never really injured one again though.
Years later, one of my best buddies was going through a divorce and came to bunk at my house, along with his dog, a doberman/boxer cross. Boo decided that, as long as we were letting the dog in the house that was OK, but he was going to teach the dog the rules. He only hit the dog once with claws out, but for weeks would belt the dog so hard the dog's head would snap and his eyes lose focus. After about a month, however, we started to notice the dog and cat were hanging out together, curling up together, eating together, etc. They became constant companions.
He loves my two labs now - they hang around together constantly and the labs clearly treat him as the "alpha dog".
azredhawk44
Member
The best dog training implement I've found with my two retrievers is a Squirt Gun or spray water bottle.
It will stop my two dogs from tearing up the house, and leave them with self-conscious and recriminating stares for a couple of days. Really hurts their feelings. It's hilarious.
It stops "play" fights between the two, tearing up clothing, pulling on the leash during walks, barking territorially as people walk by the house... very useful fix-all solution.
Get a hot pink transparent squirt gun (so as not to be confused with a real gun) and carry that on your walks. Or one of those banana-colored super soakers. The bad lab will run from a dose of that.
It will stop my two dogs from tearing up the house, and leave them with self-conscious and recriminating stares for a couple of days. Really hurts their feelings. It's hilarious.
It stops "play" fights between the two, tearing up clothing, pulling on the leash during walks, barking territorially as people walk by the house... very useful fix-all solution.
Get a hot pink transparent squirt gun (so as not to be confused with a real gun) and carry that on your walks. Or one of those banana-colored super soakers. The bad lab will run from a dose of that.
chaim
Member
Richmond, good story (well, it is a good story since: 1) the dog that got hurt was where it didn't belong trying to hurt your cat who was where it belonged, and 2) the dog healed).
Never underestimate the ability of a cat to handle itself with dogs. They are a lot smaller, so the dog gets them right and the cat will be dead. But, cats are fierce when under threat. They know, go for the eyes and nose. I remember a while back, one of the last of our outdoor cats, she was a wimp and afraid of everything. A neighbor had a guest with a dog who let their dog run loose. I saw my cat retreat (have to be in compliance with MD law- you must retreat before using a deadly weapon) into our open garage and the growling dog went in after her. I figured I'd have a dead or injured cat so I called for my dad who was nearby (I was around 12). Next thing I know I hear a "yelp" and my cat is chasing this dog all over the neighborhood. To give you an idea how large and intimidating this cat was, her name was "Squeeky" (just an average to slightly under average sized cat).
For the OP, sounds like some good advice has already been given. When I delivered pizza I carried a knife and pepper spray- the spray was for menacing dogs as much as for attackers. I never had to use it (came close a few times) so I couldn't say how well it would have done on a threatening dog. I think in your situation, I'd talk to the owners, and if you can't convince them to keep the dog in, go with both the spray and the walking stick.
Never underestimate the ability of a cat to handle itself with dogs. They are a lot smaller, so the dog gets them right and the cat will be dead. But, cats are fierce when under threat. They know, go for the eyes and nose. I remember a while back, one of the last of our outdoor cats, she was a wimp and afraid of everything. A neighbor had a guest with a dog who let their dog run loose. I saw my cat retreat (have to be in compliance with MD law- you must retreat before using a deadly weapon) into our open garage and the growling dog went in after her. I figured I'd have a dead or injured cat so I called for my dad who was nearby (I was around 12). Next thing I know I hear a "yelp" and my cat is chasing this dog all over the neighborhood. To give you an idea how large and intimidating this cat was, her name was "Squeeky" (just an average to slightly under average sized cat).
For the OP, sounds like some good advice has already been given. When I delivered pizza I carried a knife and pepper spray- the spray was for menacing dogs as much as for attackers. I never had to use it (came close a few times) so I couldn't say how well it would have done on a threatening dog. I think in your situation, I'd talk to the owners, and if you can't convince them to keep the dog in, go with both the spray and the walking stick.
zxcvbob
Member
In offering this as food for thought and not to be taken as advice or acted on, disclaimer in effect.
Years ago I lived in a really bad neighborhood it was infested by three different gangs and many members had dogs that ran loose.
One of the cheapest easiest ways that was found to deter them was to pick up a couple of bottles of bow hunters skunk scent and to fill a small water sprayer bottle with the contents carefully outside (rubber gloves are your friend) fido has a very keen nose and does not like the smell of a pollcat after one or two encounters fido usually cuts a wide path and on a few occaisions lets just say for late night revellers and substance abusers a squirt or three in the air nearby from behind a bush or parked cars gets feet to moving on.
Again this is not "advice" as laws may very and I would not wan't you to get in trouble for some violation or another,take it for what its worth and do what you have to do to stay safe.
Years ago I lived in a really bad neighborhood it was infested by three different gangs and many members had dogs that ran loose.
One of the cheapest easiest ways that was found to deter them was to pick up a couple of bottles of bow hunters skunk scent and to fill a small water sprayer bottle with the contents carefully outside (rubber gloves are your friend) fido has a very keen nose and does not like the smell of a pollcat after one or two encounters fido usually cuts a wide path and on a few occaisions lets just say for late night revellers and substance abusers a squirt or three in the air nearby from behind a bush or parked cars gets feet to moving on.
Again this is not "advice" as laws may very and I would not wan't you to get in trouble for some violation or another,take it for what its worth and do what you have to do to stay safe.
chaim
Member
Another idea, how about carrying a piece of cheap beef, a pocket full of dog treats, or a bone to throw to the dog. I'm not sure I'd like it when facing a dog's teeth, but it may work (maybe try it along with one of the more aggressive options as backup). If it works you have behavioral conditioning on your side- after a few encounters you won't have this hostile dog to deal with ever again, this dog will associate you with food and it will LOVE you (even when you don't have food).
Get one of these: http://www.ltspecpro.com/citystick.html
langenc
Member
Pepperspray OR if you can find the old style squirt gun load it with regular kitchen ammonia. Will be irritating but no real damage-at least compared to
357/45 and no one will be wiser. Also works on 2 legged skunks-right in the eyes.
357/45 and no one will be wiser. Also works on 2 legged skunks-right in the eyes.
Gunnerpalace
Member
Thanks for all the info/suggestions the weather reports here look promising enough that I can carry an umbrella, (I have a BIG golf one) so I will practice up if I can, pepper spray is good I will have to get some (have to order it), as for stun guns I still think those are illegal for civilians in MI (Cox just fixed it for police to carry I don't know otherwise). BTW I work at a library Yeah I know,
Will update as well.
Yeah I know, Will update as well.
JamisJockey
member
Numchucks and throwing stars.
Seriously.....you need a good sturdy walking stick or cane. You can always say it was for a bad knee or old injury and it just so happened the nuisance dog down the street came at you. And the added reach of the stick might keep you from getting bit. A flashlight or tool means the animals gotta be closer to get hit. And alot of the other things being tossed around are pure mall-ninjery.
Oh, and get your permit so that if the stick doesn't stop the mutt you can dispatch it.
Seriously.....you need a good sturdy walking stick or cane. You can always say it was for a bad knee or old injury and it just so happened the nuisance dog down the street came at you. And the added reach of the stick might keep you from getting bit. A flashlight or tool means the animals gotta be closer to get hit. And alot of the other things being tossed around are pure mall-ninjery.
Oh, and get your permit so that if the stick doesn't stop the mutt you can dispatch it.
Harley Quinn
Member
True, a cattle prod is brutal
Cats and real dogs.
http://www.stodghillsarfregistry.com/book pit bulls & tenacious guard dogs.htm
Never allow "boo" around one of these
Seen to many of them, eat cats for breakfast, then they will chase um down with a drink of water.Honest...
lanternlad1
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2007
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- 770
Steel toed boots and a LOUD VOICE. Use YOUR bark, kick its ribs in, and it won't bother anyone again. I'm a huge dogs lover, but I know that you have to be the pack leader or you're toast. I haven't met a dog yet that I'm afraid of, but many I've respected. But I'm the pack leader, not them. If they get bitchy (couldn't resist the pun) they soon learn the hard way. I don't fear any animal except the two legged kind.
macadore
Member
In my experience, most dogs don’t like extremely loud noises. I have been attacked by dogs several times. The noise from a shot between their front paws usually turns them around. A very loud bull horn or an air horn might work. I would still carry a cane for a back up.
AVESguy
Member
Another vote for a defensive walking stick. I took a class on how to use one as a defensive weapon from Steve Tarani and it was amazing (he's just amazing, period). It keeps you at arms length from the dog and if you really had to it can be used like a baseball bat.
I have one I take with me every night when I walk my dog, as we have loose dogs around too. I used it one night when a loose large aggressive dog charged my little pup, I stuck it in his chest (a tap, it was enough) as he got to my dog and he turned around and bolted really fast.
Either of these should do nicely:
http://www.coldsteel.com/91wacx.html
http://www.coldsteel.com/91was.html
PS I love the steel toed boots idea, too.
I have one I take with me every night when I walk my dog, as we have loose dogs around too. I used it one night when a loose large aggressive dog charged my little pup, I stuck it in his chest (a tap, it was enough) as he got to my dog and he turned around and bolted really fast.
Either of these should do nicely:
http://www.coldsteel.com/91wacx.html
http://www.coldsteel.com/91was.html
PS I love the steel toed boots idea, too.
CNYCacher
Member
Can I clarify something please?
Are you intentionally going into an area where the dog might attack you, hopng that it will, so that you can "defend" yourself?
Gunnerpalace
Member
The whole area (suburbia) I live in has multiple dog owners who are less than enthusiastic about using leashes or fences the only reason I am going by this house is the other direction there is a house with a Saint Bernard and owners with poor pet retention skills, going the semi-safer route with a small-er dog.
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