jorgelito

I was wondering, how do you stop another dog from attacking your dog (or other pet) when you are:

1. Walking your dog on a leash but the other dog is off the leash.

2. You are at the park and your dog on a leash but the other dog is off the leash.

3. Both dogs are off the leash.

Usually when my dog is attacked, I either pull back on the leash and try to create as much space as possible between the dogs or sometimes I grab my dog by the back of the neck/collar. But obviously, this doesn't help all that much if the other dog is not controlled.

I was thinking of getting some mace /pepper spray as a precaution. I know mail carriers use this but I am more worried that it is not effective (than it actually hurting the dog). I've been maced many times. It's not a big deal. I would rather not kick the other dog as it may potentially start a conflict with the other owner (and kicking may not be effective).

If pepper spray doesn't work, maybe a stun gun or taser (obviously on the appropriate setting of course)?

For the record, the dogs that keeps attacking mine is a pit bull. Other dogs have been rotweillers or bigger. I've heard that pepper spray won't stop a pit bull so I want something stronger (no, not a lawsuit after my dog has been killed, I'm looking for prevention).

People in LA are really stupid and irresponsible. They get mad at me when I suggest their dog is being aggressive or improperly trained.

Thanks for any help or constructive advice.

zed wolf

My method, although not the safest for most people. I will try to remove my dog from the situation by force, pulling her leash tail or the back of her neck. whatever will be most effective. If that is not working I will turn my efforts to the attacking dog. That Is almost always a direct grab for the throat just under the chin with as much squeezing force as necessary.
I have not met a dog yet that was able to get away from this maneuver. This move is usually accompanied by flipping the dog onto its back and pinning it there still holding its neck. When it gets that far I'm not at all nice about it.
With that said, I haven't had much cause to do that. My girl is very friendly and trys her best to avoid confrontations it does happen sometimes though and her being a Husky, she wont back down and is quite capable of defending herself. I usualy worry more for the safety of the other dog then I do for her.

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ratbastid

Agreed. When you've got to assert dominance to avoid injury, there's no room to be nice--you have to be like a dog who's aggressively asserting dominance: fast and nasty.

That said, 90% of what we humans think of as "dog fights" are either aggressive play, or dominance squabbles that the dogs are best left to work out on their own. I only intervene if the muttering hits a certain level, or if it looks like somebody's about to get hurt.

My Cooper hardly ever gets into trouble with other dogs. She's generally very submissive (with one exception--a lab/border collie who she has spent a lot of time around since he was a very young pup, and who she's definitely the "big sister" with). I've had dogs come up to her who were clearly looking to start something, and Cooper will do every trick in the dog book to make them happy. She'll submissively pee for them, then roll over and present her belly... Even the most aggressive dog chills out once they see that.

*Nikki*

I would recommend ALWAYS keeping you pet on a leash first and foremost. That way if another pet DOES attack yours, you will never be the one at fault in the situation were there to be vet bills and such.

Carrying mace sounds like a good idea to me also. There really is no easy was to separate dogs that are fighting. Just don't put yourself in the middle of it, and only spray the mace if it is the last resort.

Elphaba

I have a very loud and fierce 'NO' that has stopped other dogs from getting aggressive with mine. It startles people, too.

thingstodo

The other dog needs to know who is the pack leader - that's you. You have to dominate all of the dogs. Make yourself look very big, make a loud noise using "no" or something like that. Jump up and down and be aggressive. The other dog has to understand that you aren't going to be intimidated and will kick his ass, not the other way around.

Of course, a mean rot or doberman might change things!!

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jorgelito

The key issue is the fact that my dog is on a leash but the other ones aren't. Therefore we are at a distinct disadvantage. I can only control my dog, but the other dog can still "get at us" as he is unrestrained. In the 10 secs or so it's gonna take for the owner to come over and control their dog, I need to make sure that we are ok.

The only time my dog is off the leash is at the park where all the dogs are off leash.

So, yes, I do have leash and voice command of MY dog, but it's the other dog I'm worried about. That's why I'm looking into back up, like mace or a taser. I think it's more humane than me kicking the other dog and breaking ribs. I also don't want to be bit either.

I will try the no and all the other suggestions but in case it doesn't work, I don't want to be writing a new thread that's a RIP for my doggie.

Thanks you guys for the help.

eribrav

1. They probably won't let you carry a .357 where you live. Pity. That's the remedy for an unleashed animal attacking my dog. I do however own a large property in the woods, so if a dog is here attacking my dog it's way out of bounds, as opposed to say a dog park.

2. Large flat rock, in your hand, striking the attacking dog squarely on top of the skull. Likely to fracture the skull of most breeds and be lethal.

jorgelito

Dang, that's serious protection (and no, since I live in Los Angeles where the 2nd Amendment doesn't apply, I cannot carry a .357).

However, I am not maniacal. I am simply looking for non-lethal means to protect my dog and myself. But thanks for your input.

Willravel

I tie my dog to something as soon as possible, fence, tree, w/e, and get between the two animals. I know how to fight dogs, and I'm confident that I can disable it before it can do any lasting harm to me.
Same, but I'd be alright letting my dog run away while I engaged the aggressive dog.
Same.

Most privately owned dogs, or dogs not trained to fight, will back off if a full gown 185 pound man charges them yelling. When a dog attacks, you should employ misdirection: give them a target, then hit them from a different direction. An example would be to stick out your right arm like you're going tto punch, then kick them in the jaw when they come up to bite. Dogs tend to be completly reliant on their bite, so you have the advantage of several weapons on them.

If, however, I was not confident that I could take the charging animal, I'd take up my dog in my arms and face my back to the aggressive dog. I'm a lot tougher than a 25 pound beagle puppy.

I should be clear, I have no problem attacking a dog or dog owner who can't keep track of their big aggressive dog. That's like carrying a loaded weapon that can go off at any time. It's irresponsible, and they should be heald accountable.

jorgelito

Thanks Will, Elph, Nikki and everyone, I appreciate the advice. I was starting to wonder if maybe I was the one who was nuts or irresponsible. The other owners seem to think it's my fault or that it's no big deal when their unleashed dog attacks my leashed dog.

I'll be honest Will, I am a bit hesitant to put any of my limbs in harms way, especially large or aggressive dogs like pit bulls and rotweillers. It's also weird to hear your willingness to attack another dog or human (in light of your pacificism

I will employ the yelling and trying to make myslef look bigger method. Hopefully I will never have to do any of these things.

Willravel

Most pacifism is relative. I was kinda joking about attacking the owner, though I wouldn't hesitate to persue legal action. As for attacking a dog, my intent is to disable as quickly and efficiently as possible. I'll avoid hurting the dog at all costs, but I do have to remain ever ready becuse dogs can be extremely dangerous. I know how to disable most dogs without blinding them, breaking a bone or cracking a scull.

Don't be afraid to call the police if you or your dog is attacked.

Lady Sage

While I would never grab another dog by its throat, Zed has a valid point. Taking a dog by its throat and pinning it on its back asserts you as being the alpha in charge and therefore more powerful than the other dog who has now been humbled and beaten by you. I would defend my dog/pet with whatever I had at hand. Should the attack prove to get viscious I wouldnt put myself above hurting the attacking party.

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magictoy

Screw risking getting bitten. Get a walking cane and whack the absolute shit out of any dog that isn't on a leash and attacks yours. Have a maniacal gleam in your eye and a cell phone within reach, and call the cops if its owner doesn't like it. Come to think of it, the cell phone can be used to record the dog's owner, and the fact that the dog isn't on a leash.

After that San Francisco case where the woman was mauled to death by the two dogs, you would have a very strong case for self defense, if it came to that.

shakran

We're talking about a pit bull and a rottweiler here. They will kick your ass and then eat you. Hell I'm a VERY experienced fighter-of-people but I will almost certainly NOT go after a dog.

Also, this scenario is unrealistic even if you do hold a blackbelt in Dog Fu. While you're tying your dog up to the tree, your dog is being torn to shreds by the rottweiler.

The best solution is the long stick and mace. Mace first, if that doesn't work, start whacking the crap out of the dog with the stick. If the owner doesn't like it, then he can put his damn dog on a leash next time.

Willravel

Well, the question itself doesn't really state that the hypothetical deals with a rotwiler or pit bull. I've had to counter-attack several dogs in my time, including a rottweiler around the corner when I was 15. Actually, my then dog Schnookie, a wire-haired fox terrier, also gave the rottweiler quite an ass kicking.
Well that all depends on how close or far the rottweiler is from me when I spot it. If it's a block away, I DO have time. I'm not sure why you're trying to correct me in such a very open ended hypothetical situation.

shakran

From the OP:

Yeah, fighting a dog is a lot easier when you have one of your own that can fight. Used to have a Chesapeake that would kick the crap out of anything that looked at me wrong. With smaller, totally nonaggressive dogs, however, I'm now on my own.



Because what you're suggesting, even if you happen to be skilled enough that it works for you, will put others in danger. When a human gets into a fight with a dog, it is VERY rare for the human to win. I've been around dogs all my life and have trained in martial arts for most of it, and I still wouldn't take one on bare handed unless there are no other options. Dogs are very fast, and they have the advantage of infinitely better balance and maneuverability than we do. they also have the advantage of having an excellent weapon in their mouths, and many of them will lock on and won't let go no matter how much you hit them.

The real answer is that if this is a recurring problem you contact the police and have them wander out there to observe the pit bull off the leash. A few "you're an asshole" tickets and the owners will get tired of paying them. If that doesn't work, then the mace / stick/cane comes into play. I never walk my dogs without having some sort of stick-type weapon, because there's no way that my totally passive dogs would be able to fight off so much as a bluebird



BTW, on a slightly different subject, if a dog ever does bite you, don't try to pull away - - their teeth are designed to stop you from doing this. Instead, shove your hand or whatever else the dog is biting toward their mouth - it'll weaken their grip and help you escape.

cyrnel

I once found it useful to land on a raging dog. Basically pinned him on his side. Nothing made that formerly wild dobie's feet start a scootin' than 200lbs of geek on pooch love. Yes, I wear that badge of stupidity proudly.

I remember inverted them can make a mad dog quite docile. Not that I'd want to try that with a truly aggressive dog's jaws snapping anywhere nearby. If they were bred for fighting and they have an attitude, I'm more likely to practice my "where's superman?" line. Especially at this point in life. My 40lb border can kill me with activity, entirely escaping that tricky problem of euthanasia.

As shakran said, carry some type of mechanical advantage. The doctor bills from a digested skull are pretty bad.

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Ch'i

I actually have a somewhat humorous story regarding this. I was walking my dog Schnookie on a leash, when we encountered a dog which didn't have a leash. The dog came over with a forewarning look, and, had it not been a sufficiently sized German Shepard, I probably wouldn't have thought twice since my dog was not exactly timid. With the Shepard's master beckoning from across the street, it, and Schnookie, engaged in a brief sniff of each other nose to nose. A fight broke out immedeately, and before I could step in to kick the dog away I watched as Schnoo took the front paw of his adversary into his mouth and thrashed into about until the dog submitted. Afterwards the Shepard limped back across the street whining a few choice words as it did, I'd imagine. Schnookie was at the end of his leash fully ready for a pursuit of what I guess had become his prey. This all coming from a 25 lb Wire Haired Fox Terrier. Needless to say, it still makes me smile.

zed wolf

I am going to stand by my methods.
It is a very aggressive/dominant move that dogs understand. Especially when coupled with a loud growling "NO!" from you. Also, it is incapacitating to the animal in a fairly non injurious way that can be turned fatal if need be.
I would never try to hit, box, karate chop, kung-fu, or stick whack a dog. they are too fast and maneuverable for that sort of thing. Hitting also will only inflict pain and anger the animal not incapacitate it. The throat grab works by playing into the fact that in an aggressive situation they will try to bite you giving you ample opportunity to get at the throat. Even with a large breed dog with a well muscled neck you can get a good grip on them to the point where if you wanted to you could easily crush its windpipe. Having control of this area of the animal also removes its most effective weapon, its teeth.
As with all self defense situations there is no "fair fight". Use whatever force is necessary to neutralize the situation as quickly as possible. This is even more true with dogs. Once they think they can bully you they will continue to bully you. As Lady Sage said, you must be the Alpha. And you must be the Alpha without hesitation.

*edit* after you have the animal pinned if it gives you any more problems, try peeing on it. And I'm not kidding either. My room mate have a spaniel mix of some sort. He gets rather aggressive with most visitors at the house to the point he usually gets tied up outside when they have guests even people he knows. He has never tried to bite me as he has done with allot of other people but he used to bark incessantly at me when ever he saw me. Me, knowing how to speak dog quite fluently, had a talk with him outside one day when my room mates were away. He did his usual barking as I walked by. I convinced him to roll over onto his back then peed on him. Just a sprinkle, no need to drench the guy. He hasn't barked at me since that day. In fact, now when I get home from work he comes running up to me so I can pet him. We get along just fine now.

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Willravel

I responded to the questions that posed that my dog and I were attacked. I responded to those questions. I'm sorry you missed that.
Understand, I outlined two different occourances. One was my terrier going apeshit, but the other was me alone with a rot. Me. Alone. No backup.
Well that's a big bowl of not true. If a dog clamps down, you simply remove it's eyes, squeze it's nuts, hit it in the ear with one finger as hard as possible, or some other very painful attack. They will let go if they fee the clamp down puts them in danger. Don't you watch the Dog Whsiperer?

magictoy

The U.S. Military special forces are taught what Shakran said. That's the gold standard as far as I'm concerned.

So they're too fast and maneuverable to whack with a cane, and you want to try to grab one by the throat?


It also places your hand right next to some very fast-moving teeth. The other accepted method besides pushing down their throat is to grab both front paws and "make a wish." Their pectoral muscles are not very strong.

If a dog is attacking me or my family, I'm not worried about whether I cause it permanent harm. All I care about is that it doesn't harm me or mine.

shakran

Sorry Will, I didn't miss anything. I'm afraid you missed the dog-breed part of the post.

Wait, you're saying a large dog has your arm in his mouth and is shaking you as hard as he can, and you're gonna have the muscle control to poke his eye out? Sorry to be somewhat doubtful, but not all of us are as studly as apparently you are

The bit about squeezing him in the nuts is, no offense, crazy. Again, he's biting your arm (generally where a dog is gonna latch on since you throw it up to protect yourself when he's lunging at your throat) and you're gonna reach way back to the rear of the dog, slide your hand under, and start squeezing? Even assuming this is physically possible (and with a large, violently struggling dog, I highly doubt it) you're only going to piss him off further and while you're in this vulnerable reaching-way-over-your-head position the dog will go for a better target, like your armpit or your throat.

Hitting the dog in the ear won't do anything. I once saw a dog get his ear ripped off in a dog fight, and he didn't slow down a bit. In fact, the dog ended up winning that fight.

And we're not even addressing the fact that you're in one HELL of a lot of pain when that dog clamps on, no matter where he bites you. Pain is a very effective tool in making people submit in a fight. In fact one of the tools my martial arts style uses is to bite the shit out of you if we're in trouble and ya know what? It works incredibly well, and our jaws aren't NEARLY as good at biting as a dog's mouth is.

Long story short, if the dog is clamped on, you're in deep shit. Willingly putting yourself into a situation where the dog COULD clamp on is crazy.

Ch'i

This may sound strange, but my dog used to fight me constantly (still does from time to time). It gave me alot of insight into what it would be like to seriously fight a dog. The best thing I found to do when a dog clamps on your hand is to shove it in to reach the back of the mouth. Its an unexpected move that gives you some control and, as shakran said, its much harder and painful to attempt pulling your hand out. I also learned that dogs are surprisingly flexible. I remember trying several submissions on my dog during an attack that he would quickly slip out of. Pinning the dog on its stomach and controlling its head is usually the most successful one. If I wasn't worried about keeping the dog in tact, or it posed a very serious threat I'd do the following. After you shove your hand in grip the dog's head as hard as possible. Take your other hand, raise it high, and hammer strike the top of its skull right between the eyes (or somewhere in that vicinity). If its still going, maintain your grip, place your other hand on the top of the neck, and move your weight onto that hand as if you were about to do a cartwheel (you should have some control over the head since the dog is trying to bite your hand). This will push the dog towards the ground, and when that happens pounce onto its back, get your arm around its belly, putting you directly on top of it and use the momentum from your cartwheel start to roll yourself, and the dog, sideways so that you are beneath the dog and your both facing up on the ground. Once you're in this position you can bite the dog's shoulder, strangle it, or break its neck.

cyrnel

Ch'i, if I see you in one of these situations I'll call you "superman" and run for more help.

While confidence is good it could be dangerous to assume our experiences playing with dogs, even those posturing for dominance, have much similarity to their survival or trained attack modes. Get any impolite 60-70lb dog ramped up good while playing and the potential is inspiring. After my dobie stupid I realized I got lucky with a collar, offbalance, and takedown and he probably wasn't doing more than making noise. I really can't imagine a chance against an angry 120lb Rott or adult German Shepherd. They have too many advantages.

So how much does anti-shark armor cost?

This hypothetical stuff reminds me of those, uh, interesting "Shark vs. Grizzly" animal simulations of a few years ago. All physics without consideration of frame of mind.

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Willravel

Ch'i wins the thread.

jorgelito

Interesting response everyone, thank you although I'm not sure how many are actually serious. I really don't think biting a dog is a good idea.

So it appears that keeping the dog at bay is the best course of action via long stick, mace or even a shod foot (well placed kick) seems ideal. In this case, I think I would immediately pull back on the leash of my dog and shorten it while spraying or hitting with the stick with the other hand or kicking out. Of course while shouting emphatically, "no!"

In close quarter combat (no other choice) then I suppose the pinning, hitting, strangling stuff will have to do. Squeezing a neutered dog's "nuts" will probably not help nor if it's a female dog. I think it would be best to grab/hold the dog by the back of the neck instead of pinning it on it's back (those 4 legs can do some damage). So if you squeeze and hold tightly the neck and lean on the dog, you should be able to subdue it but this would also be difficult if you are holding the leash to your dog too.

Most of the time I'm in the park where there is nothing to attach the leash to.

So in sum:

- restrain own dog (leash, collar)
- "No!!!"
- mace or long stick

Otherwise Cyrnel, I'll be running right alongside of you while "Superman" Ch'i wrestles the dogs.

Ch'i

That's kinda catchy...
I completely agree; I was using the experience I've had as more of a reference than a guide.
I think that's why most humans would lose in a fight against an animal. Its all about mentality, and somewhere over the ages we got it in our head that we aren't animals. We should use whatever tools we have, because they will most certainly use all of theirs. So, sure I'll bite a dog back. If I had to, I'd bite every last one of you.

Acetylene

Domination works better as a preventative. When a dog is being aggressive, posturing and not accepting your dog's attempts to pacify (surely you have trained your dog not to be agressive), that is the time to dominate it. If you wait till the fight has begun and the other dog has gone from merely aggressive to actually violent, you will likely get bitten.

Dominating a truly violent dog will not always work. Dogs actually need to be taught to understand human body language. A dog that spends most of its life neglected and untrained may not actually be able to communicate at all with a human, especially a dog that might have been born feral and taken in off the street, or puppy-milled without human contact.

I would not recommend grabbing any dog that is being violent by the neck or collar because it may bite. No matter how fast you think you are, odds are the dog is faster. A better choice is to grab it by the hindquarters--wrap your hands around its waist and hoist the back legs off the ground. It cannot bite you, not can it struggle effectively or continue to attack your dog.

Pepper spray is a good thing to carry around, but check to make sure you don't need a license for it in your area. Also, learn to use it! You might accidentally spray your own dog, yourself, or everyone around you by spraying it into the wind.

Quick notw in response to some threads:

Unless you are a trained fighter, you will not be able to break a dog's neck. Breaking necks is super difficult and even the fighters at my dojo would not feel confident in their ability to do it. Don't try.

You should also not count on your ability to crush or even effectively constrict a dog's windpipe. Dogs, unlike people, have a complete circle of cartilege around their necks, specifically to protect them in fights. Their necks cannot be crushed, except maybe by stomping on them and they will not hold still for that. Again, don't try.

On getting bitten: if an animal (any animal) bites you, don't move. Hold perfectly still and say nothing. They will let go, feeling they have won the fight, and you can sue their owner or whatever you want to do. Struggling will make the animal bite harder and might tear your flesh; fighting back against an aggressive animal will make it fighter harder and maybe even try to main or kill. Speaking as someone who has been bitten many times by many different species, holding perfectly still is the best way to go.

This is not about scoring points or preserving your dignity; this is about protecting yourself and your dog. don't try to be brave or feirce. stay away if you can, whack with a stick if you have one, grab the aggressive dog in a safe way if things go too far. Don't turn it into a deathmatch by wrestling an animal far better equipped to fight and kill than we are.

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cyrnel

Ch'i, don't listen to 'im. I want to see that shoulder move!

BTW, I was playing with my dog and it struck me. You're walking your dog, you probably have a ball or treats, right? Use them. It could work.

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There are a vast number of people who are uninformed and heavily propagandized, but fundamentally decent. The propaganda that inundates them is effective when unchallenged, but much of it goes only skin deep. If they can be brought to raise questions and apply their decent instincts and basic intelligence, many people quickly escape the confines of the doctrinal system and are willing to do something to help others who are really suffering and oppressed." -Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, p. 195

Willravel

Or feces in a plastic baggy.

jorgelito

Actually no, I don't use toys or treats on walks - it's a potential disaster. Some idiot came to the park with a sandwich (large signs clearly posted that NO FOOD ALLOWED) and caused a riot.

Plus I don't think a treat or ball is going to distract dogs in the middle of a fight (it's like a frenzy, they are reacting purely on instinct).

Ch'i

I am.
Yeah, the strangle would be more for control than actually knocking out the dog.
Yeah that's fine, I seldom take anything as derision that was not meant as such. The scenario I described would only be a final resort. Like most fights, if I have a chance to avoid the confrontation I'll take it.

shakran

So am I

The strangle is not going to control the dog. Maybe a chihuahua, but not a real dog In the first place, I have yet to meet the rottweiler with a small enough neck that would let me get a grip on it. In the second place, not to brag but I am VERY quick thanks to years of intensive martial arts, but I am not anywhere near as fast as some dogs. Hell I had a basset hound get away from me once because he was so much quicker than I am and was able to zigzag a lot faster than I could (for about 20 feet. Then he got tired and collapsed. That's a Basset for you )

I've seen your comments elsewhere regarding fighting and from what you've said you indicate a good knowledge of fighting people. You're not one I'd willingly choose to mess with. But you're out of your depth if you take on dogs. If you've done it before and come out OK, that was luck, or a slow, unhealthy dog, or one that was a particularly poor fighter. The techniques you've mentioned would possibly work on small dogs (if you can catch them) or passive dogs (because they don't fight in the first place), but on an actual aggressive dog, no way.

Ch'i

I was thinking more along the lines of an arm strangle, which still really isn't that good an idea.
Thank you for the compliments.

As I said earlier, physical combat with a violent dog would not be my first decision. If there were no alternative (i.e. the dog is tearing apart my dog, or directly attacking me, and I have nothing but my body as a weapon) I would go all out and do whatever I could to pacify it. Though its a possibility, I probably wouldn't try to control the dog through a strangle hold because they can, indeed, thrash themselves out of it with ease. Repeated strikes to its frontal lobe, and jaw would probably disorient them, and dog's front legs have a somewhat limited range of motion so it might be plausible to break one. That would slow it down enough to outrun it I'd imagine.

You're definately right about me being out of my depth in this field, as I have had very little experience in it. Actually, the only instance I can remember flat out fighting an animal is when a cat snuck up, jumped onto my neck and began clawing. It ended up in the neighbor's pool.

waltert

go to an outdoors store, they sell "bear mace" its basically a small fire extinguisher of extra-potent mace.

I have repeatedly stopped smaller (<75lbs) from fighting, but I will not get in the f*cking way of a pissed off pit bull. I've seen one maced and beaten on the head with a shorty baseball bat....the dog just got more pissed...

my suggestions would be to wear steel toed boots (you can break a jaw alot easier than you can crack a skull)...a good running kick will probably make the dog think twice.

I think a taser might be your best bet. put it on contact stun mode for the dog, and if the owner wants to come and kick your arse, you can fire the prongs and shock him into sumbission.

jorgelito

Wow, you mean mace will not stop a pit bull? Damn, I guess I'll have to get a taser then. Do you know where else I can buy mace in addition to an outdoors store? Where can I get a taser for that matter?

analog

If an attack has begun, and it's an actual attack, not just posturing or asserting dominance, you first yell loudly to get the dog and everyone else's attention, then you haul off and punt the fucker like you were going for a field goal- unless you bring a walking stick/cane/whatever, then use that (which would be better). I'm not at all for hurting animals, but defending your animal is more important than an attacking animal who is off-leash.

shakran

Exactly. Your best bet is a weapon that puts you in largo mano range (I know you'll get that, but for everyone else, the range that lets you hit the dog with a stick, but the dog can't reach you). Nothing shorter than a standard kali stick.

Again depends on the dog. Many dogs have skulls that may as well be armor.


Better break 2. Dogs can run just fine on only 3 legs. My vet always says that dogs are 3 legged animals with an extra leg for insurance, and he's right. I've seen dogs move incredibly fast on only 3 legs.

Look I'm willing to admit that it might be possible to fight a dog and come out on top, but you're on your own with the damn cat

I was shooting a story in a humane society once when a cat jumped between my shoulder blades and dug in. Couldn't reach the damn thing, can't do anything crazy because I have a $68,000 camera on my shoulder that I can't afford to fix, so instead I went home with giant bloody scratches all down my back. What does the wife do? Gives me a big bear hug the minute i walk in the door, so I see stars all over again.


Cats suck


Pit bulls are incredibly tough. They were bred to fight and, especially if the owner's an asshole who wants a fighting dog, they're extremely good at it. You can beat on one all day long and he still won't let go. Pain simply doesn't register when they're in attack mode, which is why mace doesn't do much either. Frankly I'm not sure a tazer would be overly effective - especially if the thing's biting you since you'll get the shock too, and I guarantee your body is a lot more fragile than the pit bull's. I'd frankly rather have to fight a guy with a knife than to have to go up against an angry pit bull. At least with the knifer I have a chance.

Disclaimer: Yes, I know, many pits are very sweet dogs who wouldn't hurt a fly. That's nice. I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about the one who wants my arm as a souvenir.

Ch'i

We should all just pack a tranquillizer gun. That way we won't have to deal with angry dogs, cats, or their annoying owners.

YES.