Chuck F, Thats a good point. I've never had a "loose dog" go agressive on one of my dogs. However, I've had several try that shit with me and I've yet to see a "loose dog" that I couldn't put in flight(knock on wood), with the described method. These dogs have already made your choices for you and one had better be able to muster the nerve it takes to deal with them, unless your packing as heavy as VanCamp here. (hey VanCamp).......... I've been fortunate, I've never had to rip a dogs head off. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

In 1994 I was walking one of my dogs, a 13yr old GSD female, we came across a neighborhood Rottweiler belonging to FORMER friends of the family. They had let the dog out in the front yard to wiz. The two dogs saw each other and the rott charged us. I had NO experience with dog fights. I grabbed my dog and tried to hold her away from the other dog. The rott bit her on the side of the neck and would not let go. I kicked, hit, and finally grabbed the dog by his collar and one back leg. I tried to break his leg and he let go. The owner finally got there and grabbed her dog. The whole thing took about three seconds. She said calmly in a silly voice "bad doggy, bad doggy." (No Shit) I yelled at her for about a minute while I checked my dog out. She had small punctures around her neck but no major holes, I thought she was OK. Then we walked the 100 yards home. I didn't even listen to the woman's remarks. When we got into my yard Kyra collapsed. Long story short, she died of internal bleeding, in my car, on the way to the vets house. I blame myself. And on that happy note, let me say: BE VIGILANT AND READY. This story is 100% true, wish it wasn't.

I'm sure everybody forgives you for your "loose dog" policy.

I'm also sure that allowing your dog to "go loose" is not "how to protect your dog". I hit a dog with a car (first time) this year and no matter how much you tell yourself it was "their fault", there is definately some feelings of guilt. Thanks a lot for laying that crap on me, "loose dog" owner!

As the owner of a Verrrry dog aggresive f. akita, thought I'd put my say in. I live in an area where people allow their dogs to run loose, I HATE that. Because my dogs are by nature dog aggresive, i'm very care not to allow them to get loose. Going for walks however is another story. My female doesn't care if the other dog is freandly or not she will pick the fight. My young male will prob, follow suit. Some things i've learned to do with the local strays. I carry a walking stick. I also carry bear spray. the spray is about 20'. If the stray is hesitant to come up rocks and the bear spray seem to do the trick but there are a few who will brave the akita's to get to the neighbors husky when she is in heat. The males are the worst. I guess they think because my one dog is female she will back down (yea right) and because the male is only a year, (just a baby) so will he (Not). This is where the walking stick comes in. The harder the wood the better. I've sent more than one mutt packing with a bleeding head. My female will also out from a dog fight on comand and as long as I can run the other dog off she will not go back into the fight. There is no leash law in the county I live in and i've told more than one owner that if they couldn't keep their dog at home i'd see to it that it didn't come home at all. I HATE dog fights. I also agree with Ed on one thing. Any one who can't or won't take responcibility for their dog should get a gold fish. (allthough thats not fair to the fish)

Vince,

This is one of those easier to prevent than cure things. Whenever I go out with my dogs I have my head on a swivel looking for loose dogs. I usually tend to just try to avoid them, where possible I try to stay between the stray and my dog. Most stray's while run at any conflict or threat so they don't usually present much of a problem.

Whenever we go anyplace with other dogs the first thing I do is look for signs of agression or even just an over interest on the part of the dog. Then I start watching the owner. If the owner is completely oblivious to the dog I avoid them like the plauge. These are the dogs that create problems. Primarily because the owner is in no position to correct the dog or paying any attention to what the dog is doing. All the attacks on my dogs have come from this type of situation.

If there is an actual fight it depends on the size of the dogs. In some cases if you can keep your dog moving while the other owner gets control it will reduce the damage done. Neither dog can get set and there usually isn't a chance for any head shakes and it keeps the atacking dog off balance and reduces what they can do. If I have a smaller dog I wade in feet first and swing with anything I have as hard as I can at the other dog and try to get my dog picked up. The goal is to hit the attacking dog in the throat or abdomen had enough to make them let go. If necessary and possible I will work on getting the other dog just in front of the back legs and get them off the ground. Done right most dogs can't turn on you from this position. Done wrong you will get nailed. Once the dog gets me I can usually get a hold of the collar and choke them off.

Comming out of one of these unhurt is not very likely, which is why I am so careful to avoid the situation. I don't take my puppies to any place where there is poor supervision of the dogs there. We don't walk in the park, we work on quiet city streets. I only take them to training at one group where I know the instructors. I also go to Petsmart and just stay away from all the other dogs there.

I agree that avoiding the problem is the best situation. I live in an area where there is a "free for all" dog park mentality outside my door everyday. Luckily, most of these dogs are not overly confident, so my smacking them or grabbing their throat is sufficient for them to want to leave my puppy alone. For when I see a dog that isn't going to be detered by my threats, or I feel may bite me, I carry an end-weighted asp. I've found that otherwise lackadaisical owners rapidly retrieve their dogs once they see someone is about to strike them with a metal baton. I have an aversion to mace, I used to carry it while running to prevent having to slow down when approached by loose dogs, and managed to accidentally get some on my face - I would recommend avoiding, it was not veyr pleasant.

Chuck:

No apologizes necessary. I know your sense of humor by now.

Richard:

Good common sense approach.

Pets4me:

The dog broke free from his leash and he ran over but he could not stop his dog until damage was done.

To all:

Thank you for your thoughts but unfortunately throwing rocks, beating a dog with a stick, or whatever is good to scare off Fito. But if a high drive pit is in pursuit of your dog this will not always work. I was lucky enough last month to save my pup from a boxer by swinging him around in the air by the leash until I was able to catch him. I had 2-3 seconds to react and I was lucky. By your comments the problem is more prevalent than I expected. I guess the only thing we can all do is be as aware as possible. Thanks guys!

Wow, I had no idea how prevalent this was. I've had dogs charge my and my dogs from their front yards, with their owners standing right there, trying to call them. Since my female is dog aggressive while on leash, this has not helped me to overcome her issues. When this happens, I just keep walking, dragging my dogs with me, and yell at the other dogs to get outta here!!! I guess that approach would be pretty ineffective in a seriously threatening situation. Perhaps I'll take up the walking stick.....

This is an interesting discussion. I have never had a problem with stray dogs attacking my dogs - probably because both of my dogs are very submissive, and because I am lucky to have several places to walk them where there are no other dogs.

Are the dogs who want to attack a leashed dog just crazy mean dogs, or are they responding to some kind of perceived challenge or behavior from the leashed dog? I wonder if there is a command that your dog could learn that would make it less likely that a stray would attack it? What if you put your dog in a sit when strange dogs approached, and stood over him with your legs on either side of his haunches. That might make your dog look bigger and more intimidating to the stray. Do you think it would be psychologically hard on a dog to make him sit in a threatening stiuation?