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.

 

[805moparkid]

sling shot with paint balls is what we used... you dont have to put as much bang behind it as to injure the dog

 

[BearBio]

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.

This is the technique (more or less) that I learned when working around vets in the pet shops while in college. I also was taught this when I took a animal handling course in grad school. I was warned however that you will likely get a broken arm. But alive with a broken arm is better than what could happen. (Kinda like my knife instructor said"You gonna get cut so get over it")

 

[OFT II]

Get a bottle of Hartz Dog Shampoo. My dog runs like the devil when he sees me with it.

 

[RichardK]

Hello All,

Thank you so much for all the super ideas. Sometimes one has to brainstorm with others to look at several options.

I have a CCW and routinely carry my 340PD in my belly band holster if I go on the walk with my wife and the dogs. My wife does not have a CCW so that is not an option for her. Besides, she says she might hit our dogs by accident and she could not live with that.

Ammonia and lemon juice solutions are too messy and I can't find a leak proof squirt gun that won't leak in her pocket.

I suggested that she can kick the attacking dog. Might be a bit of a balancing act with our two dogs on two leashes and the attacker. Everyone could wind up in a heap on the sidewalk.

Sling shot requires two hands.

Bigger dog not an option. We like bassets, one female is 45 lbs, the other is 48 lbs and low to the ground.

The shampoo makes our bassets run for cover as well.

The bear spray would pack a punch - but it is just too big to carry around.

The hornet spray is a gamble - I think I'll pass on this one.

I checked the date on the MACE spray - MFG. 2012, use by Jan 2016 and it was never used before this attack.

Yes, the owner of the attacker did come by the house that same evening with some dog toys and paid the vet bill ($250) and was sincerely apologetic. My wife has said hi to her on previous walks - been here 10 years. Dog just ran out the front door when it saw the lady's son coming up the sidewalk off the school bus, but then for some reason, decided to divert to a more appealing target - our dogs. Puncture wound is not infected, and healing nicely, thank goodness.

Based on everyone's input, she wants to try this:

Amazon.com: Mace Pepper Gun: Sports & Outdoors

I like that it has a practice water canister. We will take the advice of changing out the pepper canister even after one use, so I am ordering spare canisters. Looks like the reviews are good.

Let's see how this works out; hopefully, she won't need it again (first dog attack in the 15 years we lived here).

Thank you all for the recommendations. They were very valuable and helped us make a decision.

Cheers,

Richard in Plano TX

 

[rojodiablo]

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

That is designed to attack the neruological system of the wasps. It literally short circuits them, kinda like a spiders' bite or jellyfish sting. But FAST, like a jellyfish.
I do not know of its' effects on a dog. I am skeptical of how effective it would be.
My vote is pepper spray. Walking cane/ golf club. Steel toe boot.
In that order.

 

[Faulkner]

I am an avid bicyclist and after much experimentation I carry Sabre RED OC Stream, 2 oz can. It's easily carried or concealed by walkers, runners, and bicyclist and has a proven range of 15 feet or so. It is very effective on dogs as I've utilized it a couple of dozen times with 100% effect and it doesn't take much to get their attention.

As I spray them I growl back at them "get" a couple of times. Most of the time I only have to use it once on any given dog. Typically when I've encountered a dog the second time they don't get very close, and if they do I just growl "get" and they stop in their tracks.

I have had two specific dogs that I sprayed a couple of times and they just wouldn't take "get" for the answer. They were allowed to run loose and were very aggressive. Eventually, after warning the owners first, I shot and killed one and the other got run over by the UPS truck. Some people just won't listen.

 

[mwtdvm]

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

Dogs (and cats) do have lacrimal glands and also tear ducts, which are in the same place humans are. They also have a nictitating membrane that slides over the surface of the eyeball to help remove debris. They are better able to deal with dust and dirt in the eye than humans.
​

 

[pharmer]

3 ft of shovel handle. Ain't lethal unless it need to be. Joe

 

[Hawker Man]

Cattle prod, stun baton or stun cane. When attacked by a dog use a continual application of the shock device until the irresponsible owner shows up then a few applications on them should do the job.

 

[Packard]

Cattle prod, stun baton or stun cane. When attacked by a dog use a continual application of the shock device until the irresponsible owner shows up then a few applications on them should do the job.

Where legal.