When I walk my dog I always carry some type of defensive device. Was pepper spray until my dog chewed it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.

Now I carry a small pocket knife but am praying I never have to use it. I've considered a walking stick but it seems cumbersome. Since I've been a member of this board, I've heard quite a few horror stories and am wondering if anyone has ever used or heard of a device you can carry with you that is in some form similar I guess to a cattle prod or stick. Should another dog go after you and/or your dog you would use this device that works in a similar fashion to the e-collar. It gives off some sort of electrical stimulation.

For those of you who might feel a stick is enough, I'm not sure. A jack russel went after my 6 mo. old GSD this past summer <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />. I kicked it and it ran but I can tell you that if that was a Rott, my dog would have never had a chance. Since it's very likely the bigger dogs will always outweigh me, I don't know how much protection I can give my dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> . I don't want to be in that situation again wherein I cannot help him should he need it.

You may want to do a web search & check out stun battons -- If you want one, be sure to get the 500 volt model (sorry, I get volts, watts & amps confused, but I'm pretty sure it's volts) because you need one that's powerful enough to take down a BIG aggressive dog...

Stun-bats don't injure an animal, they just "turn their muscles to water" long enough for you & your dog to get out of the area <:-)

The problem with a cattle prod is being able to get the two electrodes in contact with the animal. Then, you need to keep in it skin contact long enough to have an effect. Once buzzed, you won't get a second shot. They learn quickly.

You will need to be fairly close to do this. Probably less than three feet. If the dog is going to attack, it will have by the time you get within this distance. Once it's escalated to the furball stage, you are better off with a large, heavy stick (club). A five-cell flashlight works quite well for that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

A walking-stick is pretty non-confrontational. It doesn't look like an offensive weapon. However, it's been the primary personal defense instrument of peasants for centuries.

A Taser may work.
http://www.taser.com/self_defense/x26c_features.htm

The reason a stun-bat is good:

You can "spark" them in the air before an aggressive K9 gets within striking distance -- the electrical discharge makes a SHRIEK that will discourage most rank dogs from pressing an attack...

But if an aggressing stray actually engages your dog, a 500 volt model will reduce it to "limp dink" status immediately, without disabling your own pet in the process <:-)

Thank you Candi. A stun bat sounds like the exact thing I'm talking about/looking for. Although previous poster's idea of a flashlight could work, it also poses the problem of me having to be right next to the dog while it's potentially in full attack mode and then, what if I miss? I could hit my own dog.

Ah me, please talk nice about rotts. Almost all rott problems, like all dog problems, are owner problems.

You can buy a spring steel extendable baton that is about 10-inches contracted and 26-inches extended at various police supply web sites. These inflect a real wound and can break bones if used vigorously.

Sorry Hugh. Didn't mean to pick on Rotts <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ! But just imagine if I asked for a cattle prod to protect me from a toy poodle! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Your idea may be better for me than the stun bat. I just looked online to find that it's illegal for the stun bat company to ship these type of stun products to NY,NJ & PA. Kinda makes it hard for me to get the product!

I'll search the police supply sites for the thing you mentioned. Thanks Hugh.

I have to ask: What was the result of the dog chewing the pepper spray? That sounds highly educational and I wouldn't think he would do that again! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />