Barbara, I just got back from the tack shop. I've got my whip <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> ! Actually, it's called a crop. When the the store owner heard what I was trying to accommplish, she showed me a whip and a crop. She actually trip the crop on herself! OUCH! I tried it by slapping my calf with it. It's not a good feeling. The whip is too cumbersome and I'd there would be a learning curve. The crop which I purchased is 26" long so it's a decent length, very lightweight, leather grip making it easy to hold on to and the grip is small which is nice for those of us with smaller hands and it has a wrist loop - all for $8.99!

I'll let you know how it works. Unfortunately I'm sure I'll get the opportunity real soon.

I'm now armed with pepper spray, a walking stick (for emergencies) and a crop. Now all I need are combat boots and I'm all set <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> . Yikes, I never knew walking a dog could be so treacherous <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> !

You are so right, my Lill has been bitten 3 times in the face by other dogs that are allowd to run right up to her off leash and bite, I think that is why she decided to go on the offensive, plus she is what she is (a pit), but now I grab her up by the collar throw her behind me a wail what ever it is coming...it's takin me months to get her behavior under control and I'm not lettin any ones off leash "poochie" screw that up....I also do not walk her in crowded places, or at popular times of the day...just not worth it to me********sigh************

Judy,

Wow...JI JANE. I love the pepper spray. Though I am not so sure about the CROP. I guess someone more knowledgeable on the forum should tell if I am correct or not. High drive working bloodlines or just High Drive dogs may get more agitated if you use 'CROP' on them and could get more geared to attack.

Let's if others back my analysis or trash it...
Waiting patiently.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Rashmi

Hi Rashmi,

That's exactly why I need an arsenal - you never know which dog is going to attack. One day it's a JRT, the next day it's a golden retriever! In my short time with walking my dog (about 10 months now), the little dogs who are just plain nasty have been contained with one kick. It's the mid sized mongrels that seem to be the biggest problem to date. I can kick them and have but they don't seem to feel it. No surprise there. Hence, my need for a weapon.

I'm happy to report we've yet to be harassed or attacked by a GSD, Doberman or Rottweiler <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Judy, I also walk my dog and have come across many dogs running without anyone with them. I have so far been real lucky (knock on wood) and have stopped them in their tracks by yelling "NO" as loud and with deep conviction (if that even means anything) that the dogs have I guess decided I wasn't any fun...(hopefully I didn't just jinx my next walk.) I am courious about the crop, but am also concerned about the reaction of a strange dog. I wouldn't want you to test it, but if you do, am interested on the outcome. It is sad that we can't enjoy our walks without being so on guard. Good luck. Judy

You're right about it being a shame we can't just walk and be relaxed about it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> .

Since my last post on this subject I changed what I purchased. I returned the item for another type of crop and also purchased a dressage whip. The whip is good in length (39") for hiking because it puts a little more distance between me and the dog if I have to hit the dog.

I personally would feel a little foolish walking around the town though with it so I purchased a crop which is only 20", made of hard but flexible rubber and just looks less obvious.

Just yesterday a 5 lb. dog came up from behind us and began snarling and growling. I was walking in my neighborhood. The owners called their dog but, here's a shock, it didn't listen. It left its property and continued coming at us, not running but growling and walking toward us.

I had the crop and mace with me. As I backed away from the dog, I told the owners, "If your dog keeps coming, I'm going to kick it". That was the end of the confrontation. He quickly swooped up his mangey mutt and I walked off.

Had the dog been bigger, I would have tried out my crop on it. BTW, I also carry mace in case the crop or whip doesn't work.

Anyway Judy, I'll let you know what happens <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> .

Arrrghhh a missed opportunity to try it out!! Maybe the next dog won't be so lucky!!

Wow, I meet loose dog in NJ/PA all the time and just call my dogs to me and yell out to the other owner to ask 'Are their dogs friendly?) I have found, since my dogs know to never start a fight, that 99% of the time we all just collect our dogs and pass each other.

Not sure about all the vet visits people in the previous postings must have had. I know all the real dog fights I have seen and heard (and they have not involved my dogs) have been short, fast and needed trips to the vet. Usually for both dogs and many times for the owner.

So I don't carry a whip, pepper spray or gun. I have a 13 year old dog, an 8 year old, and a 2 year old dog. It is MY reponsibility to train and socialize MY dogs to know they are safe around other dogs and look to me when another dog comes in the area.

Not sure why everyone just says every loose dog they see is 'bad' and needs to have the crap kicked out of it if it runs over to say hey. The dog may be rude, it should NOT be unattended by a human, but it doesn't mean OH MY GOSH I HAVE TO PANIC BECAUSE EVERY LOOSE DOG IS GOING TO KILL MY DOG. If I am calm and in control and pay attention, NOT overreacting, we just move on.

God forbid anyone's dogs ever slip their collar and run up to other posters on this list to say hey, cause it seems the bullets/whips/kicking will start.

Course I KNOW dogs, have my dogs socialized and around other dogs since the day they hit my house, I KNOW how they will be have and just have to deal with the oncoming dog. I KNOW, ABSOLUTELY AND WITH NO DOUBT, because we have met hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dog, that the vast majority of them are like my dogs, fine with other dogs and not needing to be kicked. Course for those who keep their dogs isolated from other dogs, can not trust THEIR dogs with others, and are not familiar with being able to look at the oncoming dog and gauge it's body language and behavior, I can see why panic and fighting back may be the only resort.

For me, I have happy/confident dogs, that can be trusted in public, with other dogs on and off leash, have never had to take them to the vets because of a fight, and have only met a handful of 'scary' dogs during the past 13 years of dog ownership. And thousands of NOT scary. Hm, I must be doing something wrong (NOT!!!) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You're funny <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ! John, these owners were so stupid I really should have swatted them w/the crop. Before I offered to kick the crap out of their dog, the owner actually told me (with a straight face), "Oh he's friendly, he just likes to growl". Good Lord above, give me patience <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Jenn -

You are truely blessed. I guess I don't know if I will ever be as fortunate as you, regardless it is every dogs owner's responsibility to have their dog properly contained, and yes I know accidents happen, but not all dogs like other dogs or will tolerate them, and they still may be very happy animals. Wouldn't it just be so simple and safe if all abided by the law? Keep your dog on a leash, just seems to be a simple rule to follow, then all would be confident.