Recommendation for a Non-Lethal Dog Repellent

[RichardK]

Hello All,

My wife was out yesterday afternoon taking our two basset hounds on their regular walk, when a larger dog bolted out the front door towards them.

The attacking dog managed to bite (one fang puncture) one of our dog's back in the ensuing melee. My wife pulled out her 3-in-1 Police Model MACE spray to ward off the attack. The spray didn't shoot out 10 feet as advertised, but rather dribbled out uselessly. She got more MACE on her hand and on the dogs even though she was pointing at the attacking dog's face. No wind, calm. Owner ran out, grabbed her dog, wife brought both dogs back home and we found the puncture which then necessitated a trip to the vet.

So my question to the forum members, does anyone have any proven, reliable recommendations for a non-lethal dog repellent? Something my wife could use with one hand while holding two leashes and dogs with the other?

I bought the Police Model 80112 MACE 18 gram spray with pepper, tear gas and UV dye. Like with carry firearms, one must have faith in your weapon that it will work when needed; if you don't believe in the effectiveness and reliability of your weapon, then you won't carry it.

I have two more of these sprays. I tested one last night, and it shot out 10 feet in a stream as advertised. But everytime you test spray, you reduce the content of the can and risk the nozzle clogging from dried up spray.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I hope there are other better alternatives to MACE spray.

Thank you in advance.

Richard in Plano TX

 

[moosedog]

When I saw your post I was going to recommend pure pepper spray without the tear gas as the dog can get a chemical burn from the tear gas.
Capstun is the one product I used when on the job.

 

[arjay]

Bear spray.

 

[jaykellogg]

Glad your wife didn't have to use that Mace to ward off a human attacker. I understand Ace hardware sells pepper spray for bears that ought to work on dogs.

Years ago my brother gave me some dog spray that he had gotten fom the phone company. I believe it was pepper spray with orange dye. I know it would slow down a dog, but I was warned that it may not work on a trained attack dog.

Other than carrying a pistol with shot these ought to be the best, but they are subject to what just happened.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Use pepper spray for dogs.
The brand-name Mace is designed to make the eyes water, and dogs don't have tear ducts.

 

[26Ford]

You might want to try one of these. Don't laugh, I have 2 pretty bad to the bone Bulldogs and I have found over the years EXTREMELY loud noises will stop a dog dead in his tracks quite often. It's worth a try, no ill effects and the horns have many other uses as well, all the best 26

 

[snake803]

50/50 Household ammonia and water in a water pistol.. No lasting damage, but the attack dog will never bother you or yours again....
JIM.................

 

[Desert Dog]

^^^
+1

When I was a kid and had a morning paper route, I used to keep a spray bottle filled with straight ammonia hooked on the I rack used to carry papers. Used it on several occasions. Worked well and I could spray ammonia a pretty fair distance. Aim for the snoot and the dog will tuck tail and run.

 

[RichardK]

Hello,

I forgot that dogs do not have tear ducts - no wonder MACE won't work very good.

I like the ammonia solution.

Was not aware of the horn-loud sound solution.

Let me run these past the wife and see what she is comfortable with.

Thank you. Finally, some things to investigate.

Richard in Plano, TX

 

[cass]

I carried a cattle prod on our walks for a long time. I only had to use it one time on a Pit Bull, and the results were impressive - it not only stopped his advance, he retreated like he was drunk. He never bothered us again.

 

[BearBio]

Sounds like your spray was outdated.

use the dog-level spray and make sure it is up to date. The pepper doesn't go bad but the aerosol does. Also, carry two (one as back-up). Once you use it, trash it. The pepper clogs the nozzles as soon as it dries.

Same advice for bear spray.

 

[ErnieDeBord]

its kinda big......but i bet a can of that Hornet&wasp stuff that sprays 25 ft would sure change a dogs tune?

 

[crsides]

Lemon juice and water 50/50 in a water gun. We used this on our paper route.

 

[forresth]

Here is what I'd use;

but it might not be non-lethal if my family or dog was attacked.

 

[quneur]

I would get a bigger dog. Besides that, I would go and find pepper spray formulated specifically for dogs.

And send the vet bill to the attacking dog's owner.

 

[Packard]

They sell pepper spray for dogs which is just watered down human stuff. Pepper sprayers should be replaced every thee years even if never used. Sometimes the valve will leak a drop or two and the residue will clog the nozzle. So inspect the nozzle often and rinse it with warm water if it looks gummed up. Also rinse the nozzle after each use. The keychain ones are. Nearly useless spraying only 3 to 5 feet. Look for 2 to 4 ounce versions that offer a sister inert practice can. Buy both and practice with the inert can. A 2 ounce can will give you about 15 seconds of spray. You only. Need 2. Seconds on target to be effective so every 6 months or so give it a short spray to make sure it is still giving you sufficient range. Don't forget to rinse the nozzle. Pepper spray of human strength will be very effective on animals as they have more sensitive membranes than we do.

 

[WardenRoss]

I may be speaking out-of-turn here. Take what I say with a grain-o-salt.

If you want to protect yourself from an attacking dog by using ammonia with a squirt gun, or pepper spray, go ahead. Take the risk.

But, if you need to protect your significant other, child or toy dog from an attacking dog, using the above mentioned methods, you are risking their safety and well being.

I've been around dogs all my life, professionally and at home. I've survived a couple of serious dog attacks. Pit Bull and German Shepard.

If I'm facing an unavoidable dog attack, that dog will be met with lethal force and with no hesitation. I'll let the jury sort it out later.

 

[Packard]

I may be speaking out-of-turn here. Take what I say with a grain-o-salt.

If you want to protect yourself from an attacking dog by using ammonia with a squirt gun, or pepper spray, go ahead. Take the risk.

But, if you need to protect your significant other, child or toy dog from an attacking dog, using the above mentioned methods, you are risking their safety and well being.

I've been around dogs all my life, professionally and at home. I've survived a couple of serious dog attacks. Pit Bull and German Shepard.

If I'm facing an unavoidable dog attack, that dog will be met with lethal force and with no hesitation. I'll let the jury sort it out later.

Lethal force in the form of a firearm is exceedingly difficult to apply to a fast moving dog. If it has already engaged your dog you had better have a revolver as pressing the barrel against the attacking dog is the only sure way to assure a hit on the attacking dog and not hitting your own dog.

If you've trained for it then dogs are very easy to knock out, big dogs especially so as they are more likely to attack "high". The method is to present your weak arm. A dog will almost always attack the leading arm. When the dog leaps to bite the leading arm move it out of the way and sweep up with your strong arm striking him under the chin. I've done this once and I've seen it done twice. It does not take much to drop a big dog. Small dogs attack low and tend to be really quick. Pepper spray is a better choice. And if you are going to use a firearm then also extend your weak arm and shoot under it with your strong arm.
I've clocked a pitbull over the head with a stainless stee drinking mug--the only weapon available--hard enough and often enough to put a grown man in a coma and if it had any effect on the pitbull it was not apparent. I think a good pepper sprayer is still your best option.

 

[A10]

Don't use the hornet spray, no one knows if it would work and it's poison. I wouldn't chance getting physical with the dog unless there was no other choice just because you are putting yourself in harms way as well. Shooting the dog is an option, just be aware that they will be hard to hit so be sure of your target, and be prepared to deal with a wounded dog (it's real ugly, particularly if you are a dog lover). Pepper spray seems to be the best alternative to me.

 

[Doug M.]

I carry pepper spray when walking the dogs because it gives me options and the keys to the house and gate are on it. You should shake the canister every time you pick it up. I carry a gun to defend the dogs more than me, as I have to muzzle Bozo in case some inattentive A-H gets too close even after I warn them off in graveyard cop voice, so he can't protect himself from another dog very easily. This is a setting in which I really prefer a revolver, specifically my M296, because I want a contact shot to reduce the risk to my dogs and other innocents, and to maximize effectiveness on the attacking dog.

I would not use the the bug spray; it's a nerve poison and presents a hell of a risk to you and your dogs, too. The ammonia and other options will not discourage a motivated dog, either. I had a bull breed dog come across the street at when I was out running during law school, and it got a PR24 spin technique to the head while it was in the air. It was a lot more respectful thereafter.

I also walk with my head on a swivel, avoid silly **** like earbuds on music devices and the like except when locked in the house, etc; there is no one answer, but a system.