what are good self defense tools against dogs

I had sort of this concern the other day when I was out hiking. Here in Oregon and the Northwest we have to worry about Cougars and Black Bears. I've only been hiking for a year or so and I've never seen either animal, but I've heard stories of sightings. This past weekend I was alone (which is always a bad idea) so I constantly took peeks over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't being followed. I always have my Fox 40 whistle on my neck as well as a collapsible baton available for quick deployment. I think I need to invest in bear spray too. The best thing is to not go alone and to always have at least one other person with you. A couple of dogs against one person is totally different than the same pack of dogs against two people. But for the times I'll go alone, a whistle and baton are my defenses...
 
There is a video from the 1980s that was televised a lot during various debates on licensing and/or banning "Pit Bulls." A female animal control officer was sent out to confiscate a Pit that had already bitten people on, IIRC, two occasions. She had a noose-pole and there was either a person in the neighborhood with a camcorder or a news crew along because the dog being confiscated was news...in any event, it was awesome to see this Pit work.

She didn't have time to do jack-shit. That dog nailed her on the arm and she spun around and the dog's feet were not touching the ground. I cannot remember if it dropped or that is when one of the neighbors cracked it in the head with a piece of pipe but it jumped and latched again and bit her right on the breast. This dog is hanging off of her breast and man, she is just wailing. Dude comes up with a piece of steel fence pipe and cracked that Pit on the head again. It bent the damned pipe.

This is a woman used to dealing with dangerous dogs.

The moral to the story is, don't assume it's going to take a crack on the head and go away - be prepared to really beat the snot out of it. If it's more than one, intend on every blow to be a killing blow or you're just whistling dixie. Don't be sentimental, I don't like cruelty to animals either. They're not going to be sentimental to you, don't give them a break either.
 
benchmadebob said:
Would a trail hawk work good?
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I was thinkng the same thing. A sharp hawk. Also you can yell NO or GIT if socialized with people. I have had a number of dogs come by while deer hunting and it can make you nervous. I had a bow. Thought of pulling tow or three arrows off the quiver and try and slash or stab them.
 
I'd go with an AR-15 carbine with K-9 piercing bullets, or a tactical assault Benelli super black eagle with 3.5in magnum 00 buckshot.

you should be able to handle a dog with that.
:D
 
In my experience a good hickory stick is the perfect tool for the average dog. They are very intimidated by them. Most dogs know what a long gun is and are very intimidated by them as well but knives and hand guns not as much. I don't think a stick club or long gun would do you any good if the dog was actually on you though. Your fiskars axe would be devastating as long as you had the room to swing it. If not then a knife would be best. Never turn your back on a dog that you think might be aggressive. All of this assumes that the dog has a normal respect for man such as the average domestic dog and healthy yote. A pack of wild dogs, sick yote or some aggressive domestic dogs have no such fear. You are not going to easily scare them off. In their case I would want a shotgun or lever gun.
 
hike with a friend a slower friend , LOL ....
Be aware of your surroundings,upon hearing threaten sounds,move in opposite direction,solid hickory or oak hiking stick with big knot on end for blunt force trauma, mace,watch wind direction, pistol, keep predator as far away from you....knife "large knife last resort.
 
dont know why i did'nt post this earlier, bu a Sjambock would be perfect. Aim for the face/eyes/snout.
 
Don't act afraid and carry a big stick. If there's more than one, get your back up against something, it's the one you don't see that'll get you first.
 
Forget about CQC. Dog bite could be wery painful and kind of paralysing.Try to keep distance by spraying,throwing rocks,sticks,cell phone ,whatewer and move out of reach(climb or
hide behind something).If you get close aim in eyes and if you kicking, aim in belly with boot tip.Never turn your back and if you want to avoid confrontation dont turn your face either(it is sign of agression).
Or if you have a gun just ...
 
I'd say a walking stick / hiking staff fitted with one of those spike or blunt spike tip bottom. I've been wanting to make or buy one of those for a while. Last resort would be the belt knife.

ETA: Sometimes I think it'd be fun to mess with a slingshot in the woods, that could be a tool to annoy potential 4 legged hazards away.
 
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Don Rearic said:
There is a video from the 1980s that was televised a lot during various debates on licensing and/or banning "Pit Bulls." A female animal control officer was sent out to confiscate a Pit that had already bitten people on, IIRC, two occasions. She had a noose-pole and there was either a person in the neighborhood with a camcorder or a news crew along because the dog being confiscated was news...in any event, it was awesome to see this Pit work.

She didn't have time to do jack-shit. That dog nailed her on the arm and she spun around and the dog's feet were not touching the ground. I cannot remember if it dropped or that is when one of the neighbors cracked it in the head with a piece of pipe but it jumped and latched again and bit her right on the breast. This dog is hanging off of her breast and man, she is just wailing. Dude comes up with a piece of steel fence pipe and cracked that Pit on the head again. It bent the damned pipe.

This is a woman used to dealing with dangerous dogs.

The moral to the story is, don't assume it's going to take a crack on the head and go away - be prepared to really beat the snot out of it. If it's more than one, intend on every blow to be a killing blow or you're just whistling dixie. Don't be sentimental, I don't like cruelty to animals either. They're not going to be sentimental to you, don't give them a break either.
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Heres the video Don mentioned!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSwI...cer+&oe=UTF-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&
 
Yup, two pipe blows to the head and it didn't even looked fazed. Forget the slingshot, I'll stick with a stout staff and knife. Good point Don.
 
A single aggressive dog can often be dissuaded by assertiveness. A sharp clap followed by a command will likely cause an advancing dog to pause, if not comply. Repeeating the command, taking a step toward the dog can seal the deal.

Multiple dogs take on a pack mentality, reverting to a more primitive part of their brain and probably won't respond to verbal commands.

-- FLIX
 
FLIX said:
A single aggressive dog can often be dissuaded by assertiveness. A sharp clap followed by a command will likely cause an advancing dog to pause, if not comply. Repeeating the command, taking a step toward the dog can seal the deal.

Multiple dogs take on a pack mentality, reverting to a more primitive part of their brain and probably won't respond to verbal commands.

-- FLIX
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This is only true if you are talking about non guard dog type.. against pitbulls dobermans, rottie, your out of luck these dogs were breed for they have alpha male attitude, they don't back down. Wouldn't make them any good as guard dogs if they backed down just because some guy was big.
 
benchmadebob said:
Today i went on a day hike i went of the trail a bit and gathered som ddead pine to bush craft with. so i went to split my first piece and i hear alot of craking off sticks and i wait aboout 2 seconds and here come 10 deer 9 does and 1 buck. And so i was like ok and i get back to bushcrafting and i hear the loudest barking a growling i have heard in my life. And it kept getting louder and louder and it sounded like it was comming frow the derection the deer were coming from. So i started to get a little worried. i have found what looked like wolf tracks in that area last year. So i strted to walk and i got back on the trail and i started to walk faster and faster and the noice kept getting louder and louder. Until i was in a sprint in aout 8 inches of snow. And i only got a glimpse of the animal and to me it looked like a group of large dogs. And i started to cross what i thought was a field but it turned out to be a bog and quess how i found that out i fell in up to my knee.

So my question is what if i had to defend myself against the dog/wolf thing what is a good tool. Im going to start of my carrying a large hichory walking stick and a fixed blade. Im thinking about getting a rc-4.
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Firstly, it is VERY rare to see a wolf in the wild. Secondly, wolves are terrified of humans in the wilderness. Attacks by a wolf sometimes happen, so that being said:

If it is a wolf, chances are there are more than one as wolves are pack hunters. When one attacks you, so will the others. Running only makes it worse, because then it triggers their predator/prey senses even more. You try to treat it like a bear situation: Don't stare it in the face (it'll take it as a sign of challenge for dominance). Flare your coat out, scream as loud as you can and try to appear gangantuan in comparison. If that doesn't work: Back up slowly until you can get away safely (keep in mind that, most of the time, there will be more than one, so keeps your eyes and ears open). Then move carefully, DO NOT RUN. Once you are sure you are far enough away you can run like hell. If a wolf is motivated...it can climb a tree.

Shoot the first thing with fangs and four legs that moves. The blast will be enough to scare off the others.

You could carry a big, stout stick (a good walking stick with a spike at one end is always good). A swarp across the nose/area of the face will sometimes be enough to discourage any attacks...but how fast and how repeatedly can you swing it?

If a wolf is on you, a knife probably won't do you any good, because when one gets you down, then the others pile of..if not before.


If it's a dog and it attacks it will more than likely be by itself. Usually a good baseball swing with a stout stick across the head will discourage a dog. The main difference between a wolf and a dog is that a dog has no fear of humans. So you won't scare it off by making yourself look big and screaming.
If it is just standing there growling, then do the same as you would with a wolf or bear.

If I really wanted protection that badly...I'd just carry a gun.

A knife is certainly a choice if you have no other options. And people have saved themselves by stabbing the dog once it is on them.

The best thing to do is be aware of your surroundings and try to be as proactive as possible.
 
Small dog - steel toed boots.

Large dog - hand grenade slathered in peanut butter & running shoes.

Medium dog - a cat... and those running shoes.

Actually, a good walking stick can keep most dogs at bay. A dedicated protector - of sufficient size and ability, a la a Doberman or German Shepherd, can be tenacious - most sidearms, although they may mortally wound them, won't stop the attack. The 12 gauge may be appropriate.

Stainz
 
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