Non lethal ways of defending against dogs

[JShirley]

I've seen a lot of people and a few dogs pepper sprayed. I've never seen OC make anything "more aggressive". I love dogs, but if people don't want their dogs sprayed, they should follow the law and keep them leashed.

The product you suggest is illegal to use in the manner you describe, and not a good choice for snuggling up to children, either.

John

 

[PabloJ]

Once walking at dusk I saved myself with beam from Surefire x300. Not sure how effective it truly is but my grandfather said wolves roaming certain parts of Eastern European countryside shortly after WWII were afraid of light. These were the kind that fed on human remains so
probably very aggressive and dangerous critters.

 

[craftsman]

Jock Elliot (upstate NY) has a .50 cal. 3 ft. blowgun, wood encased to look like a walking stick. He keeps a few glass marbles in his pocket (yes, they work like slingshot ammo). Said he's had to use it a few times up where he lives - works well.

 

[22-rimfire]

I see a pit or similar dog (usually a pit mix), I get ready for just about any possibilty. That includes a pit inside someone's house. I don't trust those dogs no matter how "friendly" the owner claims they are. I suspect they view me as "aggressive" versus passive as I don't fear them. And I will kill one if I have to.... (but not inside someone's house; I just leave.)

I know to keep my distance from Doberman's if they are in a car or inside a fenced yard. They are very territorial.

Non-lethal defense... pepper spray. I have just started to see it in stores in my area.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

Teddy said it best

Speak softly and carry a BIG STICK.

 

[sgt127]

If we knew we were going to hit a dope house with dogs, I carried a 5 lb CO2 fire extinguisher. As we went by, I hosed them and then dropped it and we made entry. It is extremely effective. And, they stayed out of our business until we were done. However, carrying around a 5 lb cylinder of CO2 is hardly practical except from the van to the front door.

I've seen pepper spray used often. Very effective. Usually. If it was truly an aggressive dog though, you need deadly force to back it up.

I've got friends who lived in sketchy areas outside of the US. They say a small round squirt bottle of Real Lemon juice is highly effective against threats 2 and 4 legged. And, legal anywhere. Easy to palm in your hand. Good range.

 

[zdc1775]

I can vouch for the lemon juice and the ammonia. We have used them both very diluted to train stuburn dogs.

Also lemon juice also has the side effect of killing fleas.

 

[BLB68]

Lemon juice is also good for getting a large constrictor to let go.