Dealing with dogs during a run (arms, running, heart, loose)

[Coolcin]

Yesterday I was in my neighborhood running. All of a sudden out of nowhere a huge German Sheppard comes charging at me. It didn't bite me but acted like it was going to. It kept barking, growling and circling me. I stopped running and put my hands and arms up near my face.

Needless to say I was terrified because I have a fear of being bitten by a large dog. I went up to a neighbors house to ask them if it was their dog but she said it was the neighbors. The neighbor boy came out of the house and was trying to find the dog. He said his dad must have accidently let it out of the backyard while doing yard work.

I finally composed myself enough to run back up to my house and got the pepper spray that I had bought but was still in the package. I carried it for the rest of my run but did not run into the dog again.

I would hate to have to use the spray on the dog because I don't really feel it's all the dogs fault but the owner for letting a dog like that loose.

My husband had also been threatened by this dog last year while walking but wasn't bit. He was not so nice when he confronted the neighbor.

How do I deal with stuff like this without having to use the spray. The dog didn't bite me but terrified me. (I wouldn't have been so afraid if it was a little dog).

[Luckyd609]

I had 3 vicious medium to little dogs chase me the other day. They came out of nowhere and surrounded me while I was running. They were baring their teeth and trying to bite my legs. I tried to ignore them and hoped they would stop after I went a distance. They didn't so I turned on them raised my arms and screamed and ran at them. They reluctantly backed off. I kept thinking what if they were big dogs? I would have been attacked. I think pepper spray is a good idea for dogs and I may start carrying some.
Can you talk to the owner of this dog? You may want to tell them if the dog comes at you again you will spray it. If they give you a hard time call the police and tell them your situation. Dogs should not be able to come out into the street and scare people.

[Currency Pair Crocodile]

I run outside all the time. I stop and pet the dog (even a doberman once, and these are crazy fothermuckers). Is that too difficult to do?

Dogs don't attack persons. You probably scared the crapola out of the poor thing. Sheps are sweet dogs. Stop being anti-social.

[CaptainNJ]

you should have called the police to report the owner. give him a hard time for putting your life in danger.

you can carry pepper spray, dont be afraid to use it. you can try carrying treats, i used to do this when walking my dog.

depending on where you live, you can carry a gun and shoot the dog. no sense in you getting attacked.

[Coolcin]

Originally Posted by Currency Pair Crocodile

I run outside all the time. I stop and pet the dog (even a doberman once, and these are crazy fothermuckers). Is that too difficult to do?

Dogs don't attack persons. You probably scared the crapola out of the poor thing. Sheps are sweet dogs. Stop being anti-social.

The Sheppard that came after me was not "SWEET" by any means. A sweet dog would not come out into the street and attack you. If I was trying to break into their house then it would be justified for the dog to ack that way. It came up from behind me so it's not that I startled it.

I am the most social person you could meet!

[Luckyd609]

Originally Posted by Currency Pair Crocodile

I run outside all the time. I stop and pet the dog (even a doberman once, and these are crazy fothermuckers). Is that too difficult to do?

Dogs don't attack persons. You probably scared the crapola out of the poor thing. Sheps are sweet dogs. Stop being anti-social.

Dogs attack people all the time. A dog sees a strange person running and it is their instinct to chase. Stopping to pet the dog is usually not an option. I would not have even attempted to pet the dogs that chased me. They would have bitten me in a heartbeat.
You can pet all the crazy dog's you want, but I will stick with protecting myself.

[Bakeneko]

.... Each year, 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites; half of these are children. Of those injured, 386,000 require treatment in an emergency department and about 16 die.

That's from the CDC's fact sheet on dog bites. I never worried that much about dog bites (except when in Thailand) until I had my daughter. I carry pepperspray with me now.....

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by Currency Pair Crocodile

Dogs don't attack persons.

Say what? Oh yes they do.

Seriously - was your statement made in jest? You cannot possibly be that ignorant about the dangers of badly trained or badly-bred dogs.

[CaptainNJ]

crocodile's response is ridiculous. if my dog was loose and ran up to someone who was running i wouldnt recommend they try to pet her.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

That is why I try to avoid running through neighborhoods. Too many irresponsible dog owners. I am a dog lover and would absolutely hate to hurt any dog, but I will protect myself if needed. If I have to run through a neighborhood, I always have some type of blade with me just in case. Usually, its an Emerson Karambit or Super Karambit like this:



If I am out running and someone's attack dog (pitbull, rottweiller, etc.) ran up to me in full attack mode its throat WILL be sliced wide open. I wouldnt cut a lab or Cocker Spaniel, but if its a pitbull or some dog that could take a human life, its going to get killed.