When you’re attacked by a dog .....

[Bakedbrie]

We live in a large area of open heathland popular with dog walkers. Every once in a while you can cross paths with an aggressive dog that makes a bee-line for my own dog (leashed) and I haven’t a clue what to do other than try and body shield my own dog. Any ideas please?

I’d tell the owner very firmly to recall their dog.

I would carry one of those small can of spray aimed at deterring aggressive dogs. I think they’ve got citronella in them or something, nothing that will cause long term harm. Politely ask the owner to control their dog but if it attacks, spray it.

We have a shithead dog where we walk who runs up barking insanely and I know he will nip because he has in the past (my clothes, rather than me or my dogs, but he's going to bite someone or their dog sooner or later).

I now walk stompily towards him saying loudly, 'Go away! Just GO AWAY!' It works. He doesn't like the pressure and he buggers off to his frantically bellowing owner down the path.

He's not all that big, though. I'm not sure I'd be as brave if he was a Malinois or a rottie.

Thanks all. The perpetrators I’m sorry to say are often German Shepherds. Many are just goofy and want to play, no probs. But there’s a couple who are nasty blighters who rush forward, try to start a chase and land some bites. It’s a bit bloody scary tbh. I’m only 5ft 2 and Ddogs a totally wimpy cockapoo. Yesterday, I tried lifting my dog up out of harms way (she was petrified) and kept turning my back to the GSD. I said to the owner - “Clip your dog please or mine will bite yours as shes scared”. DDogs hanging feet and my arms were being snapped at.

Dogs should not be allowed to approach other dogs on lead and should be recalled immediately if the owner or dog are unhappy about the interaction. Unfortunately there are loads of shitty owners about. If you are sure you won’t get bitten yourself, stand in front of your dog, between it and the dog running up to you, put out your hand and firmly say ‘Stop!’. But only do this if you are not putting yourself in danger.

Having said that, how experienced are you in reading dog body language? Starting a chase is in many cases normal dog play and not a prelude to ‘landing some bites’. Bites with bite inhibition that do not hurt the other dog are also part of normal dog play. Judging when either chasing or biting has gone too far requires a bit of experience because play sessions can appear rough and sound scary without being so.

Picking your dog up is not a good idea. It increases her fear and puts her in a higher position from which she may be aggressive. You are more likely to get bitten in the middle of all that. If the GSD was really aggressive and you are 5.2 he’d have knocked you over in two seconds. I’m 5.1 and my GSDs head is over waist height. If he were to jump up his front legs would be on my shoulders. I think you are exaggerating a bit with the ‘snapping at her hanging feet’ bit.

We used to walk with a big stick, mine are absolutely teeny chihuahuas so don’t stand a chance. The sticks not for whacking anything but being able to use it as an arm extension rather than being bitten.. especially when bending to pick up my own if needed.

Also learning a “big scary man voice” seems to help I don’t know why but normal shouting doesn’t bother dogs half as much.

I also don’t give a shit if it’s play nipping, my dogs 4lbs if a horse of a dog play nips him it could still be a serious injury.

@Booboostwo ...it was a smaller female GSD and thankfully didn’t go on hind legs. But yes, it did snap at my dogs legs. I’m not prone to exaggerating thanks.
I know dogs love to chase...in fact cockapoos with each other adore this! I don’t wish to maligne the GSD breed but have noticed that many - both friendly and aggressive have a very forward initial approach with little tail wagging, which genuinely makes them quite hard to read from a distance. Other breeds often take a few seconds pre-chase for a bit of mutual tail wagging and kind of “consent” ...you often see older dogs politely refuse to play if they wish. I’m afraid it’s not until GSD’s are nose to nose that you get a sense of the intention...and it is often to physically dominate. It would be a shame to have to carry a big stick but these events are really unnerving.

Water pistol?

I think a big stick is useful - we used to use one when I had a staffie when I was growing up. The idea was to put it between us and the attacking dog (crosswise so it bit the stick instead of me or the dog) NOT to hit it.

I don't use one nowadays as we don't get attacked so much. My usual ploy is to step in front of my dog (breaks attacking dog's stare at my dog while it is approaching) and like the other two posters, I say NO! in a loud bossy confident voice. (I would not put my hand out in case it really is a nasty dog and grabs my arm!). If your tone and demeanour are determined enough, this will work 9/10 times. (the 10th time will be a nutter dog - bad owner - and no-one can do anything about them).

I stand in front of mine and bellow as aggressively as i can 'get away, go on, shoo'. It seems to give the incoming dog pause for thought while their embarrassed owner scurries up with the usual, 'he's never done that before', or 'he only wants to say hello'. I usually remain silent and glowering.
If you carry a stick or swing a lead, this can also give you a bit more of a threatening stance.
I have read that throwing a handful of tasty treats down for the incoming dog might work as a distraction, but I'm not convinced that would stop most dogs, whereas my bellow seems to do the trick.

I'd probably kick it to be honest!

I yell no in loud voice and an out mines not friendly in loud voice (he is but not to that breed)

Had to when someone dog wanted to come see mine .

I already put mine on lead and walked into field away from them to go round as mine hates that breed after being attacked by 2 .(Note he never bitten them but is very vocal so don't give him a chance )

I carry a big fuck off stick.

No seriously, I do.

My dog was attacked by a tiny little terrier (not bitten) and it turned him into a different dog. We're still working on it months down the line.
I have absolutely no tolerance of people that will repeatedly allow their dog to blow recall (don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about a once or twice thing. I'm talking about the dumb ass dog owners that seem to use everybody elses dog to exercise their own).

So yeah, I carry a stick. I'd rather a potential bitey dog get hold of that instead of my dog or me. I've also banged it on the ground (think Gandalf style in LOTR "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!") when I've seen a dog charging at us.

I'd also advise you to not waste politeness on serial dog-idiots. I spent months trying to be nice, and calm with a few of these fools and it got me nowhere. If they don't collect their dog after one polite request a loud " GET YOUR FUCKING DOG BEFORE I DO" usually does the trick.

I know all this ^^ makes me sound like a mad bitch (I am), but this is the only method I've found that works with some people local to me.

A little bag spray of perfume is brilliant at deterring dogs without getting into a fight with their owners.

I used to have a fearful, reactive dogs and off-lead dogs with no recall seemed to make a beeline for her.
A quick squirt in the air above the dog, not in it’s face, usually confused and grossed it out enough for us to walk on calmly.
Also, loony owners can’t see you doing anything, so no altercations.