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I took my four year old out for a hike on Saturday to indulge in two of his favorits activities. Throwing sticks in the water to watch them go over the waves and throwing rocks at everything. Were about a mile in the canyon when we were surrounded by four dogs, Hackles up, barking and trying to get at us. I put my son behind me and picked up a big rock and a chunck of metal bar that was on the ground. The dogs kept coming at us until the owners came up and called them, and then looked at me like I was crazy for being mad at them.
The dogs were a chocolate lab, a wiemeriener(SP?) and a couple muts. Not typically mean dogs.
Should I have launched the rock at one of their heads, lanched a rock at the owners, or what. I'm thinking about getting some mace, but then a dog gets hurt when really it's the stupid owners fault.
Those of you who know me, know I love dogs and recently had to put down my long time friend who spent 12 happy years with us in many camp sites. I'm just truying to figure out what a good response is to people who are this inconsiderate. Suggestions?
I took my four year old out for a hike on Saturday to indulge in two of his favorits activities. Throwing sticks in the water to watch them go over the waves and throwing rocks at everything. Were about a mile in the canyon when we were surrounded by four dogs, Hackles up, barking and trying to get at us. I put my son behind me and picked up a big rock and a chunck of metal bar that was on the ground. The dogs kept coming at us until the owners came up and called them, and then looked at me like I was crazy for being mad at them.
The dogs were a chocolate lab, a wiemeriener(SP?) and a couple muts. Not typically mean dogs.
Should I have launched the rock at one of their heads, lanched a rock at the owners, or what. I'm thinking about getting some mace, but then a dog gets hurt when really it's the stupid owners fault.
Those of you who know me, know I love dogs and recently had to put down my long time friend who spent 12 happy years with us in many camp sites. I'm just truying to figure out what a good response is to people who are this inconsiderate. Suggestions?
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I am a local dog trainer of 10 years. What most people dont realize is that dogs can make bad decisions, espoecially as a new pack is forming. If someone has no control of their dog, they should be on leash. No exceptions, me included. I have 2 pitbulls and a boxer and my male can be dog aggressive, he is always on leash. However, I am constantly confronted with off leash dogs with no training who run up and get in his face. You have to protect those you love, dogs and people. Do whatever you can and if that means confronting the dog physically to avoid injury, do it. The number one biting dog right now in Colorado is the Labrador retiever, because there are so many. Point is, any dog can be aggressive.
Seems to me like you did the right thing. You were prepared to defend yourself and your son but waited until it was absolutely necessary. Fortunately, it didn't come to that.
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"The world would be a better place if everyone kayaked."-Brad Ludden (Valhalla)
"You only get one chance to run a drop blind."-DD
And another "tear in my beer" story. Between campsite stealers, gun shootin boaters, and now a rabid lab I am amazed any ranger would brave a trip out side of their fav local mall.
I just though that I would post that while in Denver the other day at one of the great malls down there someone stole my parking spot. Now I was going to post on here about it, and I thought about shooting the soccer mom. Instead I found another spot. Problem solved. Amazing how that works.
I took my four year old out for a hike on Saturday to indulge in two of his favorits activities. Throwing sticks in the water to watch them go over the waves and throwing rocks at everything. Were about a mile in the canyon when we were surrounded by four dogs, Hackles up, barking and trying to get at us. I put my son behind me and picked up a big rock and a chunck of metal bar that was on the ground. The dogs kept coming at us until the owners came up and called them, and then looked at me like I was crazy for being mad at them.
The dogs were a chocolate lab, a wiemeriener(SP?) and a couple muts. Not typically mean dogs.
Should I have launched the rock at one of their heads, lanched a rock at the owners, or what. I'm thinking about getting some mace, but then a dog gets hurt when really it's the stupid owners fault.
Those of you who know me, know I love dogs and recently had to put down my long time friend who spent 12 happy years with us in many camp sites. I'm just truying to figure out what a good response is to people who are this inconsiderate. Suggestions?
One more tip. If you are concerned about it happening again, carry a squirt bottle with half vinegar, half water. It is a great low level deterent without hurting the dog.
With dogs its all about attitude, well with RDNEK's too. Never show weakness, hold your ground and if you are an idiot like me. You yell profanity at them. Works everytime.
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"I'm not here to make a record, ya stupid cracker" Governor Pappy O Daniel
i think the fact that there was a pack of dogs changes the dynamic. when a single dog gets aggro it's usually b/c they are scarerd. when it's a pack it could be they are hunting.... you. i'd say give one of them a good kick in the ribs and the dynamic will change. it's funny, the same holds true for rednecks.
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"I would drag my balls across broken glass just to hear her fart into a walkie talkie" -Jay Drury
In my opinion you did the right thing. You had no idea how aggressive the dogs were going to be. Growing up working on a ranch I have seen domestic dogs of various breeds be amazingly aggressive towards live stock and humans and it’s just great to hear the owners say Oh my dog is friendly and wouldn’t hurt a thing…..Again I think you did the right thing protection of your son was the most important issue at the moment
Yes, I highly recommend pepper spray, as it will have the desired affect and shouldn't have any lasting problems.
Dogs key into body language, tall posture, moving toward them yelling, staring them in the eyes, are all aggressive actions. If you want to try to intimidate the dogs, do those. It's hard to throw something at a dog and hit it, but this is also agressive. If you want to act as if you are no threat. Crunch down sideways (that is how dogs approach each other to be friendly, not head on) and look away or down. If you want to touch them, go for under the chin, over the head is dominant. It's your call on how to act, and that's a tough call. I usually act submissive unless the dog is already at me, and is being agressive. The run up is usually just a lot of noise.
Lastly - bitch out the owners, tell them that they didn't have control of their dogs, and that you felt threatened. It's just like kids, a group together can act totally different than individuals.
I keep a revolver in my first aid kit..........not to necessarily to shoot the dogs with, mind you...........but to get their (and their owners) attention. A warning shot or two, then take um out if the threat is still coming. Dog bites suck..........I have a pit chow mix, so I too love dogs..........just not in packs.
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