Has anyone used bear spray on dogs? I was confronted for the first time ever on a river by 3 dogs (a pit bull, German Shepard, and a mix of some sort). All 3 ran up so fast along the bank I hardly had time to react. To make matters worse I was out with my 6 year old trying to find a chum for him to catch. I managed to keep myself between him and the dogs but it was a tense few minutes. I was even reluctant to bend over and grab a stick or rock as I would have then been at face level. On a positive note my son and I had a great day on the river but not before my adrenaline was pretty high and not from fishing.

I would use it on dogs in a heartbeat. It is safe for use on humans. In any event, if a dog was threatening you in a public place, you would be perfectly justified defending yourself. Pepper spray would be one of the least agressive defenses you could employ.

I really like animals but...... depending on where you are how would you know if they were wild .rabid or what ever I wouldnt trust the sprays to stop a dog let alone a bear.

OK, I'll pipe up on this!! Part of our training is to get a full face shot of OC Pepper spray (bear spray), then defend our selves. Trust me, it is one of the most GAWD AWFUL things you will ever feel! I GUARANTEE it will stop ANY MAMMAL in its tracks. For some reason, seagulls are immune, both sprayed and on french fries Ummmm, did I say that out loud??????

Always carry a pocket knife.
A vicsious dog probably mad had stalked me on a small river a few years ago. Before I knew it he was just a few feet behind me. When I had sense something and turned around, he began to show teeth and started to get closer. He made his attack and I let him get a hold of my vest. Then the knife came out of the holster and the dog is history.

If'n you'da brung yer gun you coulda shot 'em down like dogs.

Are you sure it wasn't a big bad wolf? :rolleyes:

I think pepper spay would work.

Just make sure it's not a dog that isn't listenning to the owner and just happens to love kids (not for dinner.) That's isn't really an excuse for the dog to be running rampant around people who may be frightened of dogs though.

Also I don't think there has been a reported case of a "mad dog" in this state since around the 60's or maybe earlier. Don't quote me. Not positive on this one.

Pepper spray is hell in a can. I don't see how a dog could be immune to it. Keep in mind that the alcohol based fogger types are much more prone to wind.
Another good option would be an expandable baton.

pack a squirt gun or spray bottle with a jet setting with ammonia. Eyes and throat are out of commission. I learned this when I used to jog and dogs would come after me. Otherwise, I nice maple branch between the eyes is effective.

The spray is effective, but less satisfying than a liberal dose of the old "wood shampoo."

I have had a few dog encounters.. never had a issue with a bear before... but for pure terror factor for me anyways, nothing tops the time I was hunting deer in a dry creek bed. I came across the occasional moo cow here and there. I came around a tight blind corner and was face to face with a monster range bull ( we are talking 3000 lbs of pissed off beef )... Some of the bulls that they let roam the big wide open are some mean dudes.

Long story short.. I got away.. pissed my pants.. never thought I was all that quick until that day. I really think that If I had some pepper spray.. I would have just really pissed him off and he would have pounded me into goo. I did think about shooting him, but focused on running. Can " any" man make bull fighter moves ?? Well I can If I really have to I guess because he missed me twice !!!

I would have preferred something that I could have nailed these dogs with from a little more distance rather than having to wait for one to bite either my vest or my son first. If I was alone then perhaps a stick would have seemed like a better option. As it was at 7:00 in the morning with no one else around except 3 big dogs with their hair standing on end and only 10-15 feet away from my kid, well. I was actually wishin for more than bear spray at the time.

So, I actually HAVE used pepper spray on a dog and it DID work extremely well.

This was about 12 years ago and I'm sure the pepper spray is even better now. I used on e of the little key chain cans....all of it.

I was out jogging and I got charged by a German Shepherd. I hit him pretty square with it and he bolted immediately.

I guess it works the same way as skunk spray....and skunks almost NEVER get taken by dogs.

Just keep it ready.

I too do not know of any reports of mad dogs, but if a dog was to stalk me then jumped up for a hold, he must be mad. I forgot to mention an important piece of information.
Go for the gut; in and up like the way of the Samurai. They not only bleed but actually trip over their own guts. This way you don't have to drag the carcass too far to dump it into the river.

I've had a lot of trouble with pit bulls as my neighbor breeds them. He's a very irresponsible pet owner. Key spray pepper spray works fine but takes a few seconds for it to sink into the dogs head what's going on. Then I really believe it becomes a seriously traumatic emotional event for them. Once it has sunk in the dogs I have sprayed have kept there distance from me after the fact and years later even when I enter their yard. So I believe pepper spray has quite a profound effect on dogs.

I also own well behaved/trained dogs that have got into fights with roaming unruly neighborhood dogs. I have healed bite marks on my arms and legs and I've killed a dog with a kitchen knife breaking up a fight as a matter of court record(a very satisfying suit/counter suit). If a good size dog wants to get a hold of you it will. My thinking is to give them your left forearm (that you've wrapped with a shirt if you have time) and do one of three things..... take a knife to their throat, keys to an eye or grab the skin just above and between the eyes pulling and twisting it.

The area above/between a dog's eyes very sensitive and working it should cause the dog to release you, your dog or your loved one. Just watch out for the nip at your hand as the dog releases, soon as he drops pressure from the hold pull of push him away to avoid it. This is hands down the best way to break up a serious dog fight without harming the dogs. Then use pepper spray on the bad dog to keep him off your dog or in a pinch use your feet or a blunt instrument to keep him off. One time I used pepper spray to break up a fight when they were locked and it made the dogs fight harder. Spraying both dogs was unavoidable while they were locked. I then had to use the above method and in the process became very intimate with the effects of pepper spray.

This stuff has happened over the years and I have little problem with the past few years. I have standing orders to shoot those dogs when they come on or property from my wife. I believe it's the fear of pepper spray that has settled everything down. Even new litters of puppies pick up on the fear from the adults and never come near us or cross the fence line. I'm a believer.

If a dog confronts myself or anybody in a attack mode(UNMISTAKABLE) anywhere other than the animals(owners) property I see no reason to be PETA-OLITICALLY correct and just detour the animal with pepper sprays or any other non lethal device. There have been way to many cases of children being severely injured or killed by unruly dogs, to me the trade off isn't worth the price of some child losing his life or being severely disfigured for life by a animal that was given a second chance.I do and have owned dogs all my life I favor dogs that usually do not display this form of temperament if one of mine did I will guarantee you it would be destroyed on the spot.

Hog and Sthl,
YOu guys are absolutely correct.
I rather kill a mean dog than have him/her run off to kill an innocent child another day.

Belief it or not, well breed traditional pitbulls are the best family dogs. I can explain more but it is not a relevant talk with fishing.
Remember the Little Rascals show?
That spotted eye bulldog was a multi pit winner down from the purest fighting lines.