Yesterday, while I was walking Cody along the town's main street, I noticed that a lady (who was dressed like that woman in the reality show) was walking two pit bulls coming on the opposite direction. There were other pedestrians in between and I bet that the lady did not even notice me. Anyway, I don't trust pit bulls. I don't care what their advocates say about them. If I see one, I try to avoid him or her.

So, I decided to actually leave the pedestrian walkway, and walk along parked cars. I hoped that the pit bulls did not see us. But no. After walking pass them, with a parked car shading us, I heard this scream behind me. It was the lady trying to hold onto one of her pit bulls. One of the pit bull actually went onto the street and was trying to chase after us. Thankfully, she was able to hold onto her dog.

Thinking back, I wonder whether my evasive maneuver made the pit bull more aware of us. In the end, it is up to me to protect my dog. So, today, I think I am going to buy myself a little bottle of pepper spray. Better be safe.

I think you did right, and just because you're paranoid doesn't mean you're wrong. Better to be safe than sorry. I don't want to start a debate about pit bulls. But I will note that one of the things people breed for in Goldens is an affable disposition. No reason to think you can't breed for any other temperament trait, and some folks breed pits for aggression.

After reading another thread here, I'm carrying pepper spray now, too.

I certainly think you did what is right, you don't want to be attacked, by another dog.

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WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE BECOMES A MEMORY,THE MEMORIES BECOME TREASURES,OF THE HEART.

To be honest... if I'm walking down a sidewalk and I see somebody coming the other way with two dogs that they apparently can't control or who knows, I'm crossing the street or maneuvering away, regardless of breed. I only commit to passing close by or meeting with dogs that I guage by their body language to be friendly. Again, regardless of breed.

The most aggressive dogs that I've seen are labs. And yes, I've been in a few classes with goldens who were extremely aggressive and likely to attack mine should I forget and put my dog too close to them.

As far as pepper spray or other weapons - remember that other people could use the same items on your goldens. I certainly would if I judged your dog aggressive or threatening to my dog. So please keep control over your own dogs.

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

As much as I hate to admit it, I've had the same experience. With all the drama with our nearest neighbor and letting their Pit run lose, it was their Lab that broke on our screen trying to get to Hank. The Pitt never actually attacked, it was the big, goofy Lab.

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**Fraulein "Maggie" Louise 8/2/95 - 7/20/09**
*At Rainbow Bridge but Forever in Our Hearts*

A lot of the "labs"you see now are actually lab mixes, so maybe that is the reason they seem to be an aggressive breed.

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[SIGPIC]

Nope. My barn lady's son in law has three purebred labs. All of them have varying levels of dog aggression issues. The female especially will jump dogs that don't back off when she barrels up to them. Jacks is OK when dealing with these dogs. He just moves closer to me and I block these dogs off until the owner calls them. My puppy hasn't been to the barn yet though because of the dogs though....

And my neighbor's purebred chocolate lab ripped the face off a kid.

And where I train, there are a lot of labs of varying temperament who do show some signs of dog aggression. Generally based on dogs getting too close to them and their owners.

I love labs and someday may own one, but I will be VERY CAREFUL when selecting a breeder.

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

Why is it when a person comes on here,and says a pit bull is agressive, or has attacked them or a dog, people have to defend the pits.

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WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE BECOMES A MEMORY,THE MEMORIES BECOME TREASURES,OF THE HEART.

Because generalizations are harmful and ignorant. Especially when dealing with dogs.

The OP came on here basically implying that he was ready to pepper spray that woman's dogs... this despite the fact that they never got loose or showed any aggression towards him or his dog. This was based completely on the breed. The one dog pulled into the street after the OP and his dog? How many times to we see posts here on GRF about people dealing with their dogs lunging at other dogs and people? That does not imply aggression.

The other thing is I would not want people using pepper spray right off on anyone's dog based simply on their feeling threatened.

I think it is fine carrying pepper spray, but as I said - contain your own dogs and cross the street. Do not breed bias. Do not rush to judgement or act aggressively on the assumption that the other dog is a threat.

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -