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AIBU?

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Original poster

To want to be able to protect myself against a dog

75 replies

fizzwhirl · 02/08/2011 11:47

This morning when I was out jogging, a dog repeatedly rushed at me, snarling. The first time, he rushed past me from behind, just growling as he went past. I didn't react too much to that, and just kept running. Then it turned around and came at me again twice from the front - a bit bolder. The second time, I yelped a bit and the third time I shouted for the owner - who was out of sight on the other side of a hedge - to call the dog away, which she did.

Further around the park, I came past them again. I called for the owner to stop the dog from coming at me, but she didn't do anything and it came at me again another 3 times. This wasn't playful: the head was level with the body wolf-style, and it was full-on snarling and slathering. After the first feint, the owner started calling the dog, but it ignored her and just turned round and rushed me again. By the 3rd time - each time it was snarling more, and breaking off later - I really thought it was going to take my throat out.

Now, I know I did some things wrong here. After it got funny with me earlier on, I should have stayed right away. But I wasn't really scared at that point, and I just wasn't thinking. After all this, I stayed at one side of the grounds just running back and forth along one side, and the owner stayed at the other side - and put the dog on a lead thank goodness. But I don't really think I should be chased out of a public area!

And from reading stuff on the internet when I got back, it seems that squealing, looking the dog in the eye (I was transfixed by this great slathering beast!) and lifting my hands up towards my face (my scardy-cat instinct!) would all have made it think I was aggressive/weak and made it worse.

I am scared of dogs. And it seems that something in my body language shows that, and makes them more likely to see me as a target, since I've had a dog come at me a couple of times before when cycling or running, and they always seem to go for me rather than other people. But I'm fed up of it! My dh suggested a personal alarm.

So, my (rather long-winded) question is, would one of these high-decibel personal alarm things make a dog back off? Or might it just make it more likely to attack? I know there are some dog-lovers on here - so I'm hoping some of you will have some insights into dog behaviour.

OP posts:
orangehead · 02/08/2011 19:52

None of this dogs I have had eye contact with, I think all of the expect the aggessive one saw me running and thought I was something to chase

LeoTheLateBloomer · 02/08/2011 20:01

OP what were you wearing? Some colours/clothing types such as hats can effect how a dog behaves. My labrador is terrified of bike leathers (even when worn by someone he knows well).

TiggyD · 02/08/2011 20:28

I've got a dog zapper.

It's basically a personal alarm at dog whistle frequency. It makes an unpleasant noise that only dogs can hear. It works well at making dogs back off. It won't work with well trained dog,s or deaf ones of course. I think the company is Dog Dazer.

spiderpig8 · 02/08/2011 20:29

'the finger up its bum trick'
Think I'd rather be bitten!! Wink

mum0ftw0 · 02/08/2011 20:39

Was this a husky by any chance?

Because I'm a husky owner and there is no way my doggy is coming back if he doesn't feel like it. They're intelligent and have their own minds.

I think she's unreasonable letting the dog off the lead in public, especially when she knows that the dog doesn't always respond to being called back.
(like a faithfull labrador might).

chibi · 02/08/2011 20:42

why do you have a dog who you cannot recall? is this dog always on a lead. i would hope so, but somehow i doubt it Sad

mum0ftw0 · 02/08/2011 20:48

My dog is always on a lead now, because as gorgeous as he is (blue eyes, beautiful wolf looking snow dog) I don't trust him not to run.
Especially since he ran into a road and had his leg torn off, which has now been repaired at the cost of just shy of a grand.

Siberian Huskies just don't act unless they see it to be in their benefit.
I can get him to come back with a bag of food if he's hungry at the time, but otherwise, no way.

People can get 20 metre leads, that should be enough freedom for the doggy to keep everyone safe I think.

hephaestus · 02/08/2011 21:02

chibi - Siberian huskies typically have zero recall and should always, always be on a lead unless in a completely enclosed area (and for a sibe that's 6ft+ fences and constant vigilance to prevent digging underneath it). It's not a training issue, you can train them consistently and effectively from day one and they will still piss off at the first opportunity, it's a breed thing - they are working dogs through and through, not pets.

chibi · 02/08/2011 21:15

And here we are, with someone keeping one as a pet.Hmm

Signet2012 · 02/08/2011 21:49

i have a border collie springer cross.... he is seven and on the whole very good but he hates anyone with jangling keys, crutches, or with glasses/hats/umbrellas, anyone on a bike, scooter or skateboard, dog shaped, cat shaped, or them pesky prickly balls that roll up each Autum

i love him to bits unfortunately he has been attacked numerous times by staffys as a result he is very anxious and this comes across as aggression.

word of advice from someone with a "naughty" dog at times. DO NOT kick him... you wont win. All you will do is piss it off more. Stand still, act like your not bothered and cross your arms dont make eye contact.

Also ask for the persons name or take a photo of them on your mobile (apparently if someone is in a public place u have every right to do this, so im told)

show the police.

I ALWAYS have my dog on lead and if i dont im constantly scanning the area for any persons about to enter the field so i can pop him back on. Luckily he does recall as long as his interest isnt taken by something more interesting than me. :)

DogsBestFriend · 02/08/2011 22:01

Let's not forget the large percentage of dog owners who DON'T have concern-causing dogs. We are surely in the majority.

I have 3 big dogs - DDog1 is a previously abused, wary dog so if I see a jogger I lead him up, get him to sit and stay by me and the jogger jogs on untroubled. DDog2 is a big GSD, scaredy-cat and thus protective, hence again I lead up, sit him to one side and let joggers pass, DDog3 is a HUGE submissive, friendly GSD with 99.9% perfect recall who I call to my side, sit and stay with no ned for a lead while jogger passes with no issue and I almost always get a smile and thank you - and those who don't are just rude, not in any way threatened or at risk - isn't that the MAJORITY experience?

mum0ftw0 · 02/08/2011 22:13

Excuse me, my Siberian Husky makes a great pet.
He's very loving (but not overbearing with it).
He always shows concern for my small children.
Infact he circulates my toddler in a very protective way and stays next to him when there are unfamiliar people around.
He is very playful.
He can 'sing' howl with us.
He keeps me and the kids healthy, taking us for walks.

He does not bark at anything like my partner's dog does.

He's a very thoughtful doggy.

hephaestus · 02/08/2011 22:35

And you let him off the lead, he got run over and nearly lost a leg. Hmm

"Infact he circulates my toddler in a very protective way and stays next to him when there are unfamiliar people around" is not exactly a good thing either.

They cannot be let off the lead yet require huge amounts of exercise, typically suffer from separation anxiety with accompanying destructive behaviour, no they don't bark at things but I bet the neighbours love the howling, shed heavily all year round and really heavily twice a year, hunt and kill small furry things with astonishing ferocity including any pet rabbits in the vicinity and are as stubborn as mules to train in pretty much anything.

I love mine to bits but they are possibly the worst 'pet' dog.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 02/08/2011 22:50

I was thinking (only a fleeting thought mind) of going for a husky as a pet. The above has put me off! Grin

Will just go to my local rescue place!

hephaestus · 02/08/2011 23:01

AmazingBouncingFerret, the Siberian Husky Welfare Association has a very helpful Facebook page with lots of 'So you want a Siberian husky' type things to take a look at. If you're up for a complete change of lifestyle wholly dedicated to a dog, do it, they are wonderful creatures but you really need to give 110% to make it work.

Am however guessing that camping in the freezing mud in January with a pack of stinking muddy dogs and your rusty transit van in order to race said stinking howling creatures is not most people's idea of fun. Grin

hester · 02/08/2011 23:05

My elderly mum got attacked by dogs when walking in France. No barking or warning - two of them just run up to her from behind, dragged her down to the ground and chewed her. She managed to limp back and bandage herself up, then when she got back to the UK she mentioned it to her GP, who instantly sent her to the hospital for a rabies check. The hospital insisted that she would have to have the rabies jabs unless she could ascertain whether the dogs were healthy. After much effort, she managed to find someone locally who talked to the dogs' owner. His response? "Tell your friend she shouldn't go walking in the country without a big stick".

Now, THAT is an irresponsible dog owner!

BooyHoo · 02/08/2011 23:27

i'm always amazed at the suggestions to kick an already nervous/agressive/agitated dog!!

those who suggest kicking, if you were walking along with a knife in your hand and suddenly a person walked past you and punched you, do you think you would set the knife down and look pitifully back at the attacker or would your defence instinct kick in and you use the best thing you know you have to protect yourself?

vintageteacups · 02/08/2011 23:32

Think we just meant that if the dog's jaws were literally wrapped around your face, then punching/poking/kicking the dog would give you the best chance of it releasing you and potentially saving your life.

BooyHoo · 02/08/2011 23:35

i have to be honest and say that if the dogs jaw was round your face then you'd have fun getting your foot in anywhere near the right position to deliver a blow that would have any effect.

mum0ftw0 · 02/08/2011 23:36

Well, luckily my husky has lots of company, my kids and other dog are his little pack.
When we lived on the farm he did use to find his own dinner, which was quite impressive, several rabbits he'd bring back and eat every last bit of them.
The rabbits were considered vermin anyway.

I get what youre saying they need looking after alot.
Certainly not lap dogs either.

wotabouttheworkers · 02/08/2011 23:53

Ickledoggywoggy always right, naughty jogger shouldn't even think about invading canine's divine right to be anywhere it likes...

BooyHoo · 02/08/2011 23:58

yes because thats what every post has said isn't it? Hmm

intelligenceitself · 03/08/2011 00:02

Hmm x 177000

AmazingBouncingFerret · 03/08/2011 08:32

I scrolled up looking for what "Ickledoggywoggy" said but then suddenly clicked... note to self must have more caffiene. Blush

Morloth · 03/08/2011 09:24

Taser?

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