to pepper spray a dog?

[happydazed]

well not actual pepper spray, its intended specifically for dogs and tested and approved so I am hoping wont actually cause them any harm.
My ds has been bitten once, not badly just nipped, my friends little girl was bitten again not too badly but drew blood, my ds has also been knocked over twice, on one occasion he was only 18 months old, toddling along next to me and a dog ran over jumped up and knocked him backwards his head hitting a stone wall, he was dazed, very upset and had a big lump on his head. All this has happened in local parks, with owners saying oh dont worry the dogs friendly, and then oh dear he's not usually so boisterous...

Because of this I avoid parks with the kids, which is such a shame, I have a beautiful park at the end of my road and I haven't been in it for 3 months, today we ventured in to feed the ducks with 5 kids under 3 between us, a dog ran up knocked 2 of the kids over, it was a staffy type and very boisterous, the children were very upset, we picked them up but it kept jumping up at us, the owner said it was our fault because the children were playing with sticks and the dog wanted them.

I have tried to train the children how to behave around dogs, to keep calm, to keep their hands by their sides etc, I am used to dogs, but if a dog runs at any 3 year old I know especially one who has been hurt by a dog before they scream and run away, I really don't know what I can do about that, it s often suggested to me by dog owners that it is my fault for not having the children behave appropriately but if they keep their dogs with them it wouldn't be an issue!

Summer is coming up and I don't feel I can safely take my children to the park or the beach which is just as bad. I know there are plenty of lovely responsible dog owners out there but unfortunately not all are. over 6000 people were admitted to hospital because of dog attacks last year so I don't feel I am being paranoid. Am I unreasonable to pepper spay the next dog that runs towards me or should I just accept parks have been given over to the dogs and children should stay in the fenced in playground areas.

[Crowler]

I totally understand where you're coming from. However, pepper spray is considered a weapon in the UK and it may serve only to enrage a dog - they bounce back.

[startwig1982]

Sounds like you've had a rough time but pepper spray isn't the answer. I would be enraged if you sprayed my dog(not that I have one at the moment).
I'm not sure what to suggest except persevering with going as it can't be that bad all the time.

[DiseasesOfTheSheep]

Half of me thinks it wouldn't be unreasonable, the other half thinks it is unfair to punish the dogs for their feckless, ill-mannered owners. Could you pepper spray the owner instead?

[Fantissue]

Would you pepper spray a man who ran up trying to knock the children over? Yes? Then have at it.

If it was me I'd taze them

[SomethingkindaOod]

You would be U and putting yourself in danger of getting some serious abuse off dog owners if you sprayed anything at it.
It's a tricky line though isn't it? I've taught ours to stop and ask the own if they can pet the dog but if a dog jumps up at your child then it's difficult/damn near impossible to stop them panicking, even if it's a friendly dog. The only thing I try to get my children to do is to stop and stay still, don't run away and then move the dog away and get it to sit if the owner is too far away to respond. Try 'paw' if it's a friendly type maybe?

[Crowler]

I wouldn't really care if anyone were enraged if I pepper sprayed their dog for charging at my child.

[Crowler]

But please note, it does not work on dogs.

[HMG83]

You could try citronella spray. It's used effectively in dog training as it's harmless, but they hate it.

Ideally, dog owners would have their dogs on leads in public spaces or trained to walk to heel properly. We live in hope.

I speak as a responsible dog owner!

[VelvetGecko]

I would think that would be a very bad idea for the reasons Crowler mentioned. The dog could flip out.

[RevoltingPeasant]

Only if I can pepper spray your child when they run squealing up to my dog and pull her ears and tail, or, once, throw stones at her face.

[WooWooOwl]

I don't think it would be fair or right to spray anything at a dog. If a dog is being aggressive and it's not under control then that is the fault of the owner, the dog doesn't deserve to be harmed.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Please don't do that, it's cruel and could trigger a bad response if the dog was hurt - from owner or dog.

How about campaigning for dogs to be kept on leads, complain every time to the council/dog warden when your child is knocked over.

[Retropear]

I hear your pain.

My 10 year old was bitten and now freezes when he hears those metal leads.

I'm looking for a phobia course for kids.Obviously we'll have to pay,quite frankly I think we should be able to bill owners.

[Pumpkinnose]

YANBU - I was knocked over by a dog as a young child, still scared of them. Has has a massively detrimental effect on my life.

[Tulip26]

You may scare the dog into biting. Hard. Some dogs can massively over react when scared. Look at that dog that killed that poor little girl (Lexi?) last year. It was scared by a firework. I say this as the owner of a giddy dog who is never let off around kids as he probably would knock them over. YANBU but you could make the problem worse.

Pets at Home sell this www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pet-corrector-spray-50ml it could be much more effective. Or an airhorn, etc. No harm done to dog but it'll run away.

[happydazed]

revolting peasant, I would never let my child or any in my care do that. We are in a public park playing when out of control dogs off the lead run over.
HMG83, thanks I'll look into that.

If a dog is on the lead and I get into conversation I will sometimes ask if children can stoke it, I will supervise very carefully and only with the owners permission.

[GColdtimer]

It is a problem. Dog owners who let their huge great dogs leap all over children cheerfully shouting. "He won't hurt her" get right on my nerves. They should properly train their dogs but they won't because they think their behaviour is "harmless". I don't think pepper spray is the answer though.

And revoltingpeasant - no sympathy for the ops dc who have been bitten?? I am sorry your dogs have been subjected to unacceptable behaviour from children but to suggest ops dc have behaved in the way you suggest is pretty unfair.

[SmashleyHop]

Are there laws here that dogs should be on leash while out in the general public? I was really shocked how many loose dogs there were in my local park. Back home dogs were only allowed off a leash in dog parks or on private property. I am a huge dog lover but it just seemed safer to have your dog on a leash, for dog and kids alike!

[HavantGuard]

Pepper spray would make things worse.

Take photos and tell owners their dogs are out of control in a public place (they are) and you'll be reporting them to the council.

[musicmadness]

I sympathise but I'd think that was a really bad idea, you would be potentially putting yourself in danger from the dog if they reacted badly or the owner if they did! That would be much worse for you and your DC. I'd think it would be pretty much 100% guaranteed that the owner would give you a mouthful in the best case scenario. Up to you if you want to risk it.

[happydazed]

I agree its not fair to hurt a dog, and totally agree the owners are the ones at fault, but if its the dog getting hurt or my child getting bitten I have to defend my child, also I am a childminder and if a child in my care gets hurt.. I want to be able to say i do everything i can to keep them safe. When my friends little girl was bitten they only got the dog off her by kicking it repeatedly, its horrible, I would hate to hurt a dog but what else can you do in that kind of situation

[NakedMum33And3rd]

If you peppered sprayed the dog to get it away from your child surely you are at risk of pepper spraying your child?

[Ohbyethen]

I'm sure I'm being an idiot but how do you avoid also pepper spraying your toddler?

[TwittyMcTwitterson]

Haven't read the other replies but you are on about 'bite back' or similar sprays which dogs hate aren't you?

I see no problem (I'm a dog owner) but I don't understand why these dogs/your kids are so close as to be bitten? My dog is a rottweiler and although he's a softie I'm always extremely vigilant if anyone near him. As all dog owners should be. I've only been bitten by one little yappy dog and I was clearly trying to fuss it when it didn't want it.

Confused as to why you've had a few bad dog experiences as this shouldn't be the case really. Dogs should be trained if out in public as should children if poss