or maybe more of a rant...

I decided to try walking the dogs in my neighborhood again (as opposed to driving us all somewhere else). Tonight I was very happy for 90% of our walk. I think we've progressed a lot since I brought my two dogs home in February, and although we saw a couple of loose dogs and many fence barkers, we all did well. I did have one very small mix follow us for a few yards, but when I turned around and faced him and yelled "NO" he turned around. I thought, man, we made it a whole ten blocks without a problem ...

Then I get about a block from home and across the street (luckily) somebody's very large rott comes trotting out of the bushes, stops at the sidewalk and stares at us. I yelled a very loud, angry (and alarmed I admit) "NO" in his direction as well, and this little girl comes running over and tries to grab him. I assume she belongs to the rott's family. I firmly asked 'please keep your dog tied up' (not that I agree with tying out btw; it was off the top of my head, I was un-nerved), then a woman comes out of the standing open front door and grabs the dog. I again firmly asked please keep your dog inside or behind the fence. She apologizes, and then says "he just gets out, I know how to take care of my dog"...

Aside from stupid people (gee I can't imagine how he got loose out of the open front door with no one around), all I could think was, what if he'd been dog aggressive and come at us!! Jeez would pepper spray or even a cattle prod really have stopped that guy? Has anyone had to try and stop a dog that big?

I'm feeling pretty discouraged here like maybe I should just give up on my neighborhood. Man if I can't keep my guys from harm from a dog like that, I'd rather take them somewhere else. But at the same time, it is my neighborhood, I should be able to walk my dogs here!!

One sad but encouraging thing is, I passed another woman and girl walking three dogs (on leash) and she was really nice. Commented on how good my guys were, and that she was doing a lot of work with her dogs. I asked her what streets had the fewest stray/loose dogs because I've seen them walking before, and her reply was, 'well, it varies, there aren't really any great ones.'

Well as I always advise you should call animal control and give the address and describe(breed) of the dog. Also pepper spray spray will turn a rott around and make it go the other way. It also has a nice surprise for the owners when they either handle the dog or put it back in the house.
And for the other poster. Not that you asked but it is a common complaint of people in reference to a dog leaving feces in their yard.If the dog is running at large that is one thing but As you know people walk their dogs on leashes and let them use the bathroom in other peoples yard as they walk down the road.And they dont clean up after the dog. The bad news is that home owners dont actually own the property at the edge of the road. Now I know you didnt ask this but its interesting. Twenty five ft from the center of the road is county property and the person that allows their dog to leave feces in the edge of someone elses yard is gulity of littering, even if they are standing in the edge of your yard waiting on their dog to finish it is littering and not trespassing. Now here is the funny part. There is an unwritten contract with the person who thinks that is their property. If you have an ordinance in the city that requires you to pick up dogs feces you are suppose to clean it up and throw it away. Just like if it were a ditch you are suppose to keep it cleaned out and not allow it to get clogged up with weeds or leaves. Isnt that nice! I know you didnt ask but I just think that it is pretty funny. So, if someone is walking their dog and they let it use the bathroom in the edge of your yard you now know the correct thing to yell is "stop littering" and then you can can call the Police or Sheriff and report them for littering.

Just sayin....

http://www.nassresults.com/poopy%20hall%20of%20shame.htm

We agree.

i always carry pepper spray after the problems at the dog park.now i take my dog off leash in the woods ,he loves to run and go into creek,i have never seen him so happy.
never had a problem on a walk in the hood , (and we are in the hood)but the pepper spray is in pocket just in case

Sue, me too! I used to walk my dog in town everyday, but always had a problem with loose dogs. There was one day when a neighbor across the street had two little winnie dogs running around loose. At that same time, I just had arrived from walking my dog and his stupid little dog ran towards us. I've dealt with so many stray dogs, that it kinda became like a reflex to kick strange dogs who come charging at us. Well, this is exactly what I did to the little whinnie dog, and my neighbor got really pissed and started yelling, "Why did you kick my dog for??!".

I told him that I've had many strange dogs charge at me in the past, therefore I don't trust strange dogs. It's like he didn't even hear me. He was standing there, yelling, as his dogs growled at us, still running loose. He said he was going to call the cops, and I told him to go right ahead (I couldn't wait). I guess he was bluffing because the cops never showed up. Shortly after, he lost control of himself and wanted to fight me. My next door neighbor showed up, and told him to forget about it because the situation was getting out of control. Everyone went home afterwards. I've seen the guy still allowing his dogs to run loose. What an idiot.

Ever since, I said f-this, I'm going to walk my dog out in the boonies at my sister's place. Before, we used to walk here in town, and out in the country. Now that I found out how stupid, stubborn, and ignorant people can be, I stay away from walking in town. He's happier out there in the country and runs around with an e-collar (and I hardly ever have to stim him.)

i know this feeling all too well. i have SEVERAL neighors that seem to think letting their dogs roam freely in the streets is ok...

6 months ago my rottie and i were approached by a "pack" of pit bulls. 2 in the front and 1 from the rear. they all barked and the one in the rear was about to attack (showing teeth and growling violently). as soon as it lunged for my dog, i kicked it right in the mouth. they all left.

another incident was with a small mix. my mom was walking my male rottie when the mix came running out. he didnt attack but it got my rottie excited and eventually my mom fell from all the commotion made by my dog. all the owner did was laugh an my mom let him have it...

its hard cuz you dont wanna take it out on the dog, but the owners are almost never around themselves..

Geez..yeah, it can be pretty scary at times. It can also be very frustrating. Next time, I won't let incidents like these slide anymore and will be calling animal control from now on.