I've never had to try this, but I remember reading about the technique where you throw a bunch of treats toward the other dog to give yourself a little break to escape:

https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/th...n-an-emergency

Our issue here is not so much aggressive dogs as it is with over-friendly labs that owners can't or won't walk on a leash. I do not allow dogs to rush Cookie, friendly or not. You did the right thing.

Oh, I am glad you and chester are OK. There is a pit bull and German Shepherd a block away from me tied to an eye-hook in the house. The dogs have attacked other dogs and owners at least 3 times now. I think there is finally a case pending. I stopped walking past the house for fear they would attack my dog. Lucky you were able to pick up your dog because even if Chester ignored the other dog, that doesn't guarantee the Rott would have done likewise. In the past few years I've had problems with dogs coming out of nowhere. I actually thought about carrying mace. I know it is not nice but I want to protect my dog. Too many irresponsible dog owners out there

I am so sorry you and Chester had such a traumatic morning. Thank goodness you are both safe and sound.

My hope for you is that the joy in little Chester's face during his future walks quickly erases the ugliness of today!

I carry pepper spray. I looked it up for New Jersey and it appears it is legal there.

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4/1/2000 ~ 1/7/2011

Bailey Missing you Loving you Forever and ever.

You should definitely carry some sort of deterrent like pepper spray or a good sturdy stick (at least 4 feet long) with you especially in an area where dogs are known to be roaming freely. In most cases it will not be necessary to use the stick as anything more than a tool to keep a buffer zone between you, your pup, and the unfriendly visitor. Also, as was suggested above, try to appear as large as possible to the other dog and try very hard to remain calm and NOT fearful. An aggressive dog is more likely to attack if it senses fear and observes a fearful posture on your part.

When I am out with my puppy, Axl is also along and he is WELL capable of handling any aggressive dogs we might encounter as he has done on several occasions - including a rather large Rottie that ran up and attacked him (unprovoked) and got WAY more than it bargained for.

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Axl doing what he was BORN to do...

Thank you val! it is scary. My boyfriend thinks the same about me with chester but after today he sees why. He says we will walk him together once he gets out of work. If you can try to show winston in a way that not every dog you guys encounter is a dog he could play with. I need to find ways to show that to chester, he thinks every dog is friendly and can't control himself once he sees another dog.

Thank you. this is very helpful.

Thank you. Ive already looked up pepper spray but isn't there a chance it would go into chesters eyes as well if this were to happen again? I was also looking at Wasp spray which is suppose to be a bit better because it sprays farther away where as pepper spray is more up close.

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Yes, you have to have your wits about you before you unleash the pepperspray. Have to make sure you are spraying away from yourself (and Chester) and hopefully not spraying into the wind! Also, this would not be used if the dogs were already entangled, but for a preemptive strike! Certainly something to think about, but I feel safer with it. I also like that it can be effective against a threatening person I might encounter.
Also, wasp spray could be pretty cumbersome because the canisters are so large, the pepperspray is petite enough to carry on your keychain.
Such a bummer we have to even think about this kind of stuff!

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4/1/2000 ~ 1/7/2011

Bailey Missing you Loving you Forever and ever.

I probably would have used my pepper spray on that dog. Ever since a forum member reported his dog getting attacked by two pit bulls, I don't leave home without it.

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Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)

Gosh this sounds absolutely horrible!!!! I would have been crying as well. I am so sorry that you had to go through this. I'm looking up pepper spray laws in my area now to think ahead when I get my puppy.

I don't know what I would have done....isn't running bad as it makes them think you are playing? I remember walking with a friend and two large dogs came charging at us. My heart started beating so fast. Thankfully the owner came out pretty quickly and called them back but I was terrified! I can't imagine if the dog came so close to my little puppy.

What a scary experience! I don't know what I would have done. I'm very lucky. I live in an upscale gated community where the only dog we ever see off leash is a 12-year old Corgi that is some kind of escape artist and wants to go visit with neighbors. But after reading this thread, I'm going to clip some pepper spray to the bag dispenser I carry, so that I always have it just in case.

You never know. So it's best to be prepared. Better safe than sorry.

I hope this never happens to you again. Reading things like this thread make me really angry at all the irresponsible dog owners out there.

I'm sorry this happened to you. I have thought about carrying pepper spray myself! After reading a few posts here lately I am going to go buy some. I don't know and I don't care if it's legal anymore either. I will not subject my babies or myself to irresponsible owners and their dogs.

I have been lucky on our walks, but more and more neighbors are getting pits, rotties and other big dogs. The Pits down the street are really sweet and the next time they are out I plan on talking to them about having their dogs meet Sage, but some of the other big dogs I have seen out, I'm not sure about...

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