In the light of the recent spate of deadly dog attacks I have been looking on line for advice on how to protect myself and of course my dogs and others should we be victims of such an attack. There isa useful YouTube video which makes for pretty terrifying viewing . It advises against pepper spray as this could blow back into human eyes due to the direction of the wind. It advises putting barriers between victim and aggressor etc . But it is very likely that no such equipment would be available if the attack occurs on a walk in a park or field.
Any thoughts on this?

Since my friends dog (one of Xylo's grandkids) was attacked and killed a couple of months ago I've also watched a lot of videos and given it a lot of thought. To be honest there seems to be no way to protect yourself or your dogs from these attacks, you just have to hope you're never in that position. And if you are attacked then drop the leads and hope your dogs can outrun them. My friend done this during her attack and one of the silkens made it home alive.

vet told me to smash my walking stick at the hock of the back leg-and break the attackers leg.  weak spot there so more likely to do real damage .  

when my weimaraner was attacked (GSD) I kicked it in steel toed boots so hard in face that I lifted it and my dog off the ground and it still did not let go.   what got it off was a man who bravely twisted its collar till it choked- and then bit him.

at the moment I carry a good walking stick and stick to busy roads where I can use the cars as a barrier - ie leg it through traffic and hope anything coming after us gets run over and most the houses round here have little front gardens with gates which could be retreated to- porches I have eyed up to as are unlocked for post and we could run into one of those

Against an XL or really many large dogs, there is nothing you can do except try and find some sort of barrier, as you say.  Realistically they are just too powerful.  A couple of weeks ago I had to break up a fight here between two dogs, 21kg and 24kg, and I could only manage it by forcing one back into the house and shutting the door between them.  They are both very strong and neither is a patch on the power of an XL.  I've had one persistently trying to hump me (youngster, recently rehomed, bit stressed but a sweet boy otherwise) and I couldn't so much as move one of his toes!

Choking off can work on a smaller dog - I can't imagine it being physically possible on any very large dogs tbh, purely because of the force needed - and I have done that in the past.  It's effective, but it does run the risk of injury once the dog lets go to breathe.

There is a thing called Bite Back, which is basically canine pepper spray, that might be worth a go but used with care.  Human pepper spray is illegal to carry.

I'll be honest, an attack from any dog while I'm out walking mine is one of my biggest fears.  Not even for fear of trying to stop the attacker, but because some of mine would definitely fight back, and it would be nigh impossible to stop without help (and there are too many stories of the other owner not even trying).

We should all have a strategy and just hope it is never necessary to put into practice.

I looked at the sprays (£27) but I am not convinced in the panic of the moment I would be able to get it out my pocket and aim etc nor am I entirely convinced a clove smell would deter a red mist dog.  I suspect a little aeorsol can of body mist would work same and only £1.  years ago I accidently blasted my mum in face with impulse body spray and her eyes were in agony!  but same issue- would I be able to actually get the thing out and use it during the chaos?

looking on asda website, lynx do a 35ml tiny can of spray for 89p that would fit in pocket so will buy as its another thing to try if all else fails and does not count as offensive weapon if wish to carry dodgy scent

Dog Dazer II Ultrasonic Dog Deterrent https://amzn.eu/d/4sbZQ0i
This is my first attempt at copy and paste so hope it works.
I would welcome all thoughts on the use of this in the event of an attack.
I hope admin do not regard this as advertising.

Hi Jan, I won something very similar in a competition some years ago.   I tried it out on my own dog when she was playing up-barking at leaves blowing on pavement outside - she did not take a blind bit of notice.  Now the one I got was not the same model/manufactorer as the one you are showing but my weimaraner completely ignored it. as did neighbours cat so I have my doubts....  one I had also had option of audible rape style alarm- that did make my dog jump but only for a moment then she just looked at me and carried on with what she was doing.   maybe work on a nervous dog better?

edit- go have a look at the reviews for it. rather a lot of 1 star not happy buyers

I can't do quotes and I'm too old to learn.
I have a Dog Dazer - identical to the one in the photo. My husband brought it home from work when it turned up during a Council House clearance. I have never used it in anger but it doesn't stop the JRT next door from barking!
Have just read the recommendations - for Extra small dogs, 10 lbs or less - if I understand it correctly!

mm extra small dogs under 10 lb I have zero fear!! one sharp word or kick and its gone

Have just read the recommendations - for Extra small dogs, 10 lbs or less - if I understand it correctly!

That's how I understood it Carole. I really don't think it will be much use. If it was surely it would upset your dog as well?

Personally I feel that anything strong or effective enough to stop a large, strong dog in mid-attack is very likely to have an adverse effect on the poor dog being attacked.  Unless you're a trained marksman with time to focus on your target, I can't see how anything would really work.

Somebody once told me to grab their balls...... 

Some years ago now, there was a big white Boxer living up the road.  One morning we were walking back with a bunch of our hounds almost home after exercise.  This dog broke through the fencing on his property, and before I realised what was going on, grabbed Gawaine by the throat.  I was screaming at the dog but thankfully before this got worse, the dog's owner ran out and grabbed his dog (by the collar).   When we got home, with me almost in a state of collapse never mind Gawaine, I checked him out and there wasn't a mark on him.  Not long after that the man's wife came to the door and apologised for what happened - her husband had told Rob that if he was reported 'he'd kill him'.   Honestly.   Needless to say as this was a threat, we phoned the police who came out.   We saw the car up the road outside the man's house.   He, the man, was known to the police and was a really nasty piece of work.

So this isn't only about Pit Bulls/XL Bullies!!

No it's not but the problem atm is the numbers of one type seems to be responsible for an inordinate amount of serious attacks often leading to death.
I agree any dog could given the right circumstances but sadly these dogs often seem to have that switch amd given there size the result is awful
If this was a yorkshire terrier for example damage would be limited.

yes the size and attitude is a huge problem and why I am so afraid.   my whippet had a lab go for her on her very first lead walk but it was easily driven off with a sharp wack of walking stick across head- that blow would not have stopped a bully.  dogs from guarding/fighting heritage have a completely different scale of aggression when it goes wrong

another thing that helps- as weather gets cooler there is a lot to be said for putting smaller dogs in coats- reasonable chance an attacker would grab coat rather then dog

I will consider the spray but after watching the video about dog attacks and how to protect yourself and others I would worry about the spray being blown back at me in the wind. And of course it could aggravate the aggressor dog further
We live quite close to a beautiful country park and before my knee op I used to walk the dogs there regularly. I did not renew my annual parking ticket this year partly because the place gets incredibly busy at popular times with camping and music events but also because to go at quiet times and take the more remote pathways risks encounters with aggressive off lead dogs..
Life has become too compromised!

> Life has become too compromised!

Yep, it's a shame isn't it, I used to love my daily wanders round the local area, dogs off lead, just can't do it anymore. Now I take the dogs to secure dog fields everyday, it's safer and hassle free.

Hello all,

I think a good solution to keeping our fur-babies safe (and guardians) is to make local dog groups and that way any dog that has been proven to be dangerous can be reported collectively.

I am a new dog mum, I made a small group for dog mums, we all share info on iffy dogs that have bitten (or the worse is one XL that bit a dogs whole ear off)- a dog mum recently reported finding poison behind the trees in a local cemetery. 

Communicating with others is the best way to stay safe because prevention is better than cure.