Lightly pet the dog in his safe spots, avoiding his belly, tails, ears, and feet. The approximately 4.4 million pit bulls in the U.S. appear to be killing nearly 7,000 other dogs per year, severely injuring more than 12,000, and killing at least 1,300 cats. What do you do as your four-legged family member is being mauled? If you're a dog owner, it's extremely important you know what to do if an off-leash dog approaches you while you are walking a dog. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Dogs roam in packs in some countries or rural areas, so get information about how to stay safe before you go exploring. Your veterinarian can help you find a trainer in your area. If my dog is attacked by another dog, is it wise to kick the other dog? Dogs are faster so there’s no chance you can get away. Here are some strategies for protecting your body as much as possible. Just curl as tightly into a ball as you can. What if I'm such a lady that I can never sound manly? All the tips in here help. What will happen if I make eye contact with a barking dog? (Pack of 12) Lambert Kay Boundary Indoor/Outdoor Dog Repellent Pump Spray, 22-Ounce. It depends on the dog and your relationship to it. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 197,728 times. I have been accosted by stray dogs, my parent's dog was severely attacked (required surgery) and my best friend's father was hospitalized by a dog attack - all separate occasions in decent parts of town. Also, you can provoke the dog to attack you even if at first the dog didn’t mean any harm; Stand still. A stun gun/stun baton is the perfect self-defense tool to have while you are walking your dog. It can be so shocking that it often makes the dog break off the attack. I now carry a cattle prod when walking my dog. On June 1, 2019, 33-year-old Robert Joseph Quick of Dallas City, Iowa, defended his 5-year-old daughter from a dog attack, and the dog killed him. Laws vary depending on your area, but in general if you believe your life is in immediate danger you are allowed to defend yourself. If you have a large dog, you might think your dog is all you need for security. PetSafe SprayShield Animal Deterrent - Citronella Dog Repellent Spray – Ranges up to 10 ft - 2.4 oz / … Pet the dog only on his head or upper back. Kicking a dog can just make the dog attack you, for "revenge". Loud noises and human voices also tend to frighten these animals. Last Updated: December 11, 2020 A wagging tail may not be friendly, so don't try to play with a dog just because its tail is wagging. There isn’t a day that goes by in the United States that at least one and usually more people are attacked by a dog or dogs. For example, carry Protector® Dog Spray with you while walking with or without your furry friends. Ask the dog's owner before giving it a treat. It sounded something like a rattlesnake. This is HUGE problem in my city. – A woman and her dog were mauled by an aggressive dog Sunday while walking in a Wilton Manors neighborhood. If the dog saw you running then it might have thought that you were a danger trespassing on her property. This product was designed specifically as an environmentally friendly, safe and effective option that allows pet owners to keep their best friend safe by deterring attacking dogs at a safe distance. Look for a whistle that irritates dogs. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. If you are running, stop and stay calm. While it's common for dogs to share walkways with people, think about how comfortable you are around dogs before you go to an area that is popular for dog walking. Just make your voice as deep as you can when dealing with loose dogs, and it does help. Now, Broward County Animal Control has removed that aggressive dog … There are other examples in prior years of people trying to defend others against a vicious dog, and dying the the process. PetSafe SprayShield Animal Deterrent - Citronella Dog Repellent Spray – Ranges up to 10 ft - 2.4 oz / 71 mL - Protect Yourself and Your Pets. Remove any items of clothing that may be around your neck since the dog may pull on it to play tug-of-war, which could strangle you. Dog attacks are treated very seriously, with huge fines up to $30,000 and potential imprisonment. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Many years ago I got between two dogs that were family “pets.” They were having a fight very close to one of my small children. Avoid eye contact, turn your body away from it, and slowly walk away. But if you throw the stick far away, it might chase the stick and give you time to vamoose. A dog taser keeps the animal further away from you while stopping it. Having pepper spray may come in handy. Unwanted dogs are often dumped in the country and left to fend for themselves, which leads to roaming dogs along country roads. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. What will happen if I kill the dog when protecting myself? If you can't deter the dog and confrontation is imminent, stop, put the bike between you and the dog, and avoid eye contact. If a dog attacks a person or another animal the owner can be … My small schnauzer was severely injured, had to be stitched, and is hopefully recovering, but is still in pain. Be on guard while walking on country roads. If it's a mini dog, chances are the dog will be toward the back of the legs or feet. If a dog is attacking you, don't assume that a yawn means that it's tired. See details. Talk to your dog. I have been in a situation where an owner left his Rottweiler unleashed while washing his car. The Home Security Superstore is one of the oldest and largest independent distributors of high quality home security, surveillance, spy, self-defense, survival and safety products. A traditional whistle can also work by startling the dog. You can also find Mace bear spray which will discourage anything short of a grizzly. Fight back only if the dog is small. The dog may be on a special diet or may have already had treats. I would get behavior training for your dog as soon as possible. Not that I could have done anything to protect myself, but at that point in my life I was completely unaware of products could help protect me for my own personal safety and personal security. For more tips, including how to safely approach a dog, read on! Bring Spray Deterrent. One thing I’ve never been able to figure out is why you can get a license to carry a handgun to kill people but some cities and states have restrictions on pepper sprays-give me a break! ". Here's a real-life story of how to avoid a dog attack while taking your daily walk. Don't move or try to scoot away. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Dogs can sense emotions and will know if you're uncomfortable, which could trigger a stressed dog. Fighting back can make the dog fight harder, especially if it's a larger breed that can overpower you. Threats may be made to sue you (let them try) but other than that, nothing. A sturdy walking stick or cane, which can be used to claim your space if dogs confront you, and as a defensive weapon if necessary. Depending on where you are walking, choose a way to protect yourself. If it is an unfamiliar dog, it may view this as a threat or invitation to attack. Get the owner's information if the dog has an owner because they should pay your medical costs. You shouldn't go around kicking dogs that you're afraid of. Dog repellent spray is one popular way to keep a dog from attacking your own pooch, but it’s not the only way to protect yourself and your four-legged family. Our BLOG is updated daily and is a wealth of information covering tips and info you can use with over 500 posts. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If you are afraid, don't reach out to the dog. You can continue to shout commands if you've chosen to do so. [1] X Research source You can purchase commercial products that are proven to deter dog attacks. Floodlights or high-powered flashlights can be effective at scaring most nocturnal critters off. You can blow the whistle and most dogs will run away from you. But in some cases, things can get much more aggressive. References. You also might purchase a brace that can be hooked up to a leash so you can pick up the dog the same way. What if your dog is the victim of an attack by another dog? Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. It cost me a trip to the emergency room and 80 stitches in my forearm. A dog gate works well. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. You can purchase commercial products that are proven to deter dog attacks. If there is no way to avoid passing the other dog, create as much space between you and the other dog as possible, and keep walking with your dog at your side. The dog charged and I began to defend myself. ARI 61101 Halt Dog Repellent Aggressive Dog Spray, 1.5 oz. No, it's quite a bad idea. Probably not. Can I shoot a dog if it's trying to attack me? If you are carrying a stun gun or stun baton, you have your answer in hand. 4. As a matter of fact, on a daily basis over 300 people are admitted to hospitals for stitches and/or treatment for rabies. I intervened to protect my child. Dogs can sense your emotions and might get scared. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. We not share your email to any 3rd part companies! About Dog Repelling Stun Guns Do you want to remain safe and well-lit on your evening dog walks? If you are going on a walk to explore a new area, ask the locals about the likelihood of dog encounters. And believe it or not, that may be the easy part. % of people told us that this article helped them. You can sing or talk to your dog while walking , you can place a bell around your dog’s neck , or you can simply jingle your keys as you walk . 6. Pepper spray might be a better option if you live in an area with very strict gun laws, or have little experience with gun safety. This means that you may be able to discourage attacks by simply making a racket while you walk your dog. The dog needed to be reminded I was a lot bigger than it, and not going to accept a gratuitous bite at my leg. You want to show that you mean no harm. This Sabre Brand Dog Pepper Spray is a great defense against dog attacks too. I ended up breaking the dog's neck. The owner tried to sue me in Alabama court but lost the case. Report any animal attacks that happen to you. For a few years, the telescopic stun baton was effective up to a point. Carry an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered dog attack deterrent spray. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. How to Protect Yourself and Your Pet From Aggressive Dogs and Other Animals - Dacula, GA - What do you do when you are walking your dog in the … If you're going to purchase an animal repellent, be sure to do your research. If there is another threat, you might have to pull up the dog from the neck and hold onto it. Lean your head forward and fold your crossed arms backward so that your head is covered. You can protect yourself from dogs while walking by dealing with an approaching dog, avoiding encounters with dogs, blocking an attack, and approaching a dog the right way. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. To this day I cringe when I see a dog running up to me. Dog Repellent 1.5 oz. It depends on the dog as they all have different personalities. Check it out to see what you might be missing. If a dog comes near you while you’re walking, avoid looking in its eyes, since some dogs may take this as a challenge. This article has been viewed 197,728 times. The psychological effect on people who’ve been attacked by a dog or had a dog bite is substantial and quite frankly never seems to go away. Never pet a dog when it is eating or drinking. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Bringing dog repellent that is EPA approved is one of the best ways to control canine aggression. In addition to the traditional stun gun, you can find stun batons that not only work on dogs but may frighten them away before you have to use it. Dog repellent spray, such as DirectStop®, which uses citronella and is safer than something like pepper spray for the other dogs, you and your dog. If the dog knocks you down, curl into a ball with your head down and your hands or arms covering your ears. Neighborhood Watch-Safety Tip Of The Week. Well, animal repellent comes in all shapes and sizes. Dogs love sticks (obviously) and it will probably just follow you. If worse comes to worst, purchase a short leash - or you can chock up on the leash you already own. Instead of using pepper spray, it’s best to use a citronella spray that sprays at least 8-10 feet away. The Home Security Superstore LLC © 2003-2020. There are 23 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Never turn your back on a barking dog and never run away from a dog. Check your local laws and ordinances before carrying a gun outside your home. Seasoned walkers, joggers and runners carry spray deterrent to protect themselves from loose dogs. And I always recommend carrying some kind of self-defense product to protect yourself while you're walking, running or jogging. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Further protect your head by tucking it under your arms. You may choose to carry a large stick, a dog whistle, dog deterrent spray, or a stun gun. By using our site, you agree to our. For more tips, including how to safely approach a dog, read on! It can mean that the dog is stressed and about to escalate the situation. A dog bite is not the end of the world, IMO, it is even preferable that you proffer your shin, or boot to be bitten (ie kick at it’s mouth or block attack with with lifted shin) than for your throat, hand, or cojones be chewed on, and you get the added bonus of proof the dog deserved the damage you may inflict on dog while defending yourself. Check it out to see what you might be missing. Can I scare a dog off with a certain sound? The dog will see the baton and hear its electric charge, frightening it. That is why I always carry a self-defense product with me that can protect against a dog attack or dog bite. If the loose dog redirects on you (which is rare, but does happen), protect your … You can’t talk a dog out of a fight, but you can stop an attack dog with a stun gun. 5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Protect-Yourself-from-Dogs-While-Walking-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Protect-Yourself-from-Dogs-While-Walking-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Protect-Yourself-from-Dogs-While-Walking-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1539160-v4-728px-Protect-Yourself-from-Dogs-While-Walking-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"