Another dog attack this time by two German Shepards,
So awful for the 77 year old woman. However, I'd like to actually see the dogs that have been described as German Shepherds. My observations over three decades of various dogs described by their owners and bystanders as German Shepherds have often had as little as a quarter pure G/S genes some time back and are the result of indiscriminate backyard or accidental breeding.
A dog acquired from a reputable and registered G/S breeder will have come from lines which have been rigorously tested in terms of meeting the breed standard, not just in appearance but in temperament.
One of the great problems with these mixed breed dogs is the number of numbskull owners who want
A Guard Dog so they get something big and hairy, have no idea about how to manage and train it, and often coop it up in a backyard or even chain it. The dog, being denied its destiny of a proper pack structure, good training and regular vigorous exercise, will do anything it can to escape. Then when it does (as I'd guess happen in this case, given the dogs were roaming by themselves), they are totally dangerous.
Ever since I was attacked few times I took up airport approach, actually I started using airport approach well before they did..
Airport treats every passenger as potential trouble, I too treat every dog as potential threat.
Then by elimination I analyse actual threat.
Dog lovers would probably call me names, but this is when I tell them about “airport approach”.
Prevention is much much better than later on hospital visit and or painful vaccinations.
I just cannot justify any other way, I better be safe than sorry.
Started thinking about carrying small bag of hot chilli, never got to do it, but if dog smell senses are 40 to 10,000 times more sensitive to certain odours, I think this would give me some time to escape to safety.
Did anybody try to have some personal safety devices against potential dog threats, or I am too paranoid?
Happy, you are not at all being paranoid, but quite sensible. Just one request, though, please don't ever throw chilli in a dog's eyes.
I've found with aggressive dogs if you just stand still and yell in a commanding voice "GET AWAY!!!" most dogs will be surprised enough to turn tail and retreat. The worst thing you can do is turn your back and run away. This immediately signals to the dog that the game is on and he will likely pursue.
I think there has been quite a few dog attacks in the media, Julia which makes people a little apprehensive. No lead, no control is how people probably view it.
The irony is that the opposite is probably true. Compare the frequent sight of an owner being essentially dragged along at the end of the lead, with the dog forging out ahead, totally in charge, with a dog off a lead that is calmly walking at heel close beside the owner. Who do you really think has the control?