So we are walking today and at the end of my block I hear something from behind. I turn and there's a akita charging at me and Zeus. I yelled for the dog to stop and get away but he went right for Zeus I got them apart, dog came again I kicked it a couple times, still came, all this trying to keep Zeus back cause he wanted at him. No luck they contacted again and I think Zeus got him cause I found blood on my pants and neither of us were bleeding. The dog finnaly kept his distance but followed us to our yard. I almost lost zeus again when it was in the yard and I took a bad fall. I got Zeus in the house and called animal control, they didn't find the dog. Not sure the best way to handle this cause it all happened so quick but what do you do when your trying to hold back 100 pounds and fend off a large dog. I never dropped the leash and was all I could do to hold Zeus back (I'm 270 and not weak) Should i have just let Zeus go and try to fight off the dog? Not sure but how do you handle a loose aggresive dog? I don't want my dog to fight but I don't want him getting attacked and hurt because someone doesn't keep their dog contained.

I think short of carrying a weapon, you did the best you could.

 Quote: John Malufka

Should i have just let Zeus go and try to fight off the dog?

Oh, no. I'm with Polly.

You are your dog's pack leader and protector, and you did that job as well as it could be done, IMO.

If you had let him go and they really got into a huge fight, you would have had to try and break it up anyway, so you don't gain anything by allowing them to really get into a full fledged fight. Once that happens, it is difficult and dangerous to stop.

I agree, I think you handled it as best you could - a 100 lb shepherd and an Akita is not a small dog either. You had no weapon or stick to defend yourself and your dog, yet it sounds like the end result is you and your dog didn't get injured (beyond maybe a couple of scrapes). If it would have been me (120 lbs) there would have been some damage, as I could not have kept the dogs apart nor defended myself against a big dog like that.

Yes, it's frustrating and you're probably shaken up, but honestly, I think you did a pretty good job. And all things considered, it ended pretty well. If only they had caught the dog. Do you have to get rabies shots now? (In my area, if there is an animal bite and the animal isn't found, you have to).

You did good, I have had this happen as well. ill just share from personal experience (I did let my dog go, she didnt want to fight and there were three pitbulls so I decided I had to let her run and wade in myself with two hands) that it isnt a good idea to let go unless your just totally outnumbered. seriously, though-like the rest are saying; you handles it excellently.

If you carry pepper spray or a telescoping baton you can deal with a loose dog more easily. Well placed hard kicks can turn a dog too.

I think you handled the situation very well.

If the dog shows up again you could attempt to catch it so that it could be dealt with.

Wow, that's rough getting suprized from behind... I've only had to deal with what I could see coming. Like everyone is saying, you handled the situation well. Loose dogs are a pain and as you found out, sometimes dangerous. Don't be afraid to arm yourself with some kind of weapon like pepper spray or a good heavy stick. You've got the right and responsibility to defend yourself and your dog against attack from an irresponsible owner's dog. Read "meeting Other Dogs on Walks" and "Dealing with Stray Dogs" in http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/packstructure.pdf
Those chapters start on page 24 of the eBook.

Edited by Ingrid Halonen (02/23/2008 05:56 AM)
Edit reason: added more info

Thanks for your responses, This isn't the first time we have been in this situation just the first the dogs made contact. I normaly try to position myself between the dogs and take a dominant stance towards the other dog. In this case the dog shot right around me and went for Zeus. This dog was easily at least 100 or more and was the aggresor. Zeus didn't hesitate and defended himself, the other dog went for his throat he has what looks like a tooth mark in his collar. I got them apart and again got between, the dog came again and he got kicked hard in the side. But now Zeus was going for the dog so everytime I get between they both lunge for each other. They had about 3 contacts and at one of them Zeus drew blood cause I had a blood spot the size of a dime on my pants near my knee. Zeus only had 1 very little scrape on his paw (I stepped on his paw during this so I think it was me)and when the dog got in my yard I went down hard so my knees and shoulder are very sore. He is up to date on his rabies and this dog had a collar and tags so it was no stray. I think I am giving up on walking the neighborhood and sticking to the woods and trails that I know are safe (as safe as can be) This certainly won't help Zeus' dog aggresion either. Sorry to vent but I just want to walk my dog in peace.

Someone suggested mace to me but after reading the directions (shake well first) yeah I'm gonna have time for that. Excuse me but would you mind halting your charge for a moment while I shake this?

You did great with what you had though. We walk with a telescopic baton...I have never had to actually STRIKE a stray with it - it seems that just whipping it out when they charge is deterrent enough. I hate having to do it, but when one works so raise your dog a certain way it's really hard not to get mad when some stray dog threatens to mess it all up. Don't give up on the walks, just think of maybe trying a different neighborhood (pain I know) and ABSOLUTELY arm yourself.