After almost getting mauled by dogs on several occasions, I know from firsthand experience that you do need to take it seriously if you see one potentially endangering you. I recommend bringing pepper spray on runs. This is why I prefer treadmills.
I am sure there is a war of opinion over these 4 pages, just wanted to say my piece.
I will do everything I can to avoid kicking or hurting a dog. Unless it presents a safety issue for me or my pup, it's the owner's fault. I will lay into an owner before I lay a hand on their dog. The dog's behavior is a reflection of the actions of the owner, so I see no reason to "teach a lesson" to the dog. It likely won't do anything. But I'm sure there is a contingent of "they need to learn!" that will simply disagree with me.
they can trip you very easily get caught under your feet
been tripped many times by small dogs
the adjustable leashes are a nightmare too
kind of defeat the purpose of a leash
A lot of times when I come up on dogs on retractable leashes, I'll just ask the owner "where do you want me to pass?" with some stank on it. Kind of gets the point across that there are other users of the trail/path/road and they are taking up the whole width. But usually I just won't say anything and sneak around them before they know i'm there, because if I say something they react like startled deer (the human more than the dog, who typically is aware I'm there).
I work with dogs. I also run and get irritated at off leash dogs and their (often) clueless owners. I've also run around some in the countryside of developing countries where dogs are actually scary.
The answer: it depends. most of the time kicking a dog will not help. Either a dog is non-aggressive, in which case you don't need to kick it, or a dog is aggressive and kicking it might further enrage it.
1) some dogs are off leash, poorly trained, but benign. They see someone running and instinctively chase. The best thing in this case is to slow to a slow jog (which is more boring for them, less instinct to chase) and slowly jog away. I'm talking about poodle mixes, hounds, retrievers, and dogs most people keep as pets.
2) some dogs may be prone to aggression. Maybe they will chase you aggressively but as long as you slowly jog away, nothing will happen. If you kick this sort of dog, they will probably attack you. And they very well may win. Again, slowing to a jog and acting less like you are running away will help. This category of dog might be a pitbull or shepherd type dog.
3) Some dogs may actually be trying to bite you. This is thankfully less common in the U.S. If a dog actually is going to bite you, maybe you should kick it. Better yet, if you run in places where there are dogs like this, the best thing to do actually is to carry rocks to throw at them before they get near you.
4) Please don't kick dogs below 20 pounds. They might be aggressive but you could actually really hurt them.
This is the proper answer.
Trying to kick a dog just makes it more likely you are going to get bit.
also increases the chance you look like a fool as you swing and miss and the dog knocks you over.
I believe the only answer is to do what you feel is right in the moment. If you feel threatened then kick that dog. Blast him. He'll learn. The onus is not on you to give the dog the benefit of the doubt and risk being being attacked. That said, don't freak out at any dog who approaches. Use basic common sense. Start with yelling and a dominant body posture if things look sketchy. Escalate as needed.
That's how I see it. And I love dogs, by the way.....but they don't get to bite me. Nope.
I believe the only answer is to do what you feel is right in the moment. If you feel threatened then kick that dog. Blast him. He'll learn. The onus is not on you to give the dog the benefit of the doubt and risk being being attacked. That said, don't freak out at any dog who approaches. Use basic common sense. Start with yelling and a dominant body posture if things look sketchy. Escalate as needed.
That's how I see it. And I love dogs, by the way.....but they don't get to bite me. Nope.
I work with dogs. I also run and get irritated at off leash dogs and their (often) clueless owners. I've also run around some in the countryside of developing countries where dogs are actually scary.
The answer: it depends. most of the time kicking a dog will not help. Either a dog is non-aggressive, in which case you don't need to kick it, or a dog is aggressive and kicking it might further enrage it.
1) some dogs are off leash, poorly trained, but benign. They see someone running and instinctively chase. The best thing in this case is to slow to a slow jog (which is more boring for them, less instinct to chase) and slowly jog away. I'm talking about poodle mixes, hounds, retrievers, and dogs most people keep as pets.
2) some dogs may be prone to aggression. Maybe they will chase you aggressively but as long as you slowly jog away, nothing will happen. If you kick this sort of dog, they will probably attack you. And they very well may win. Again, slowing to a jog and acting less like you are running away will help. This category of dog might be a pitbull or shepherd type dog.
3) Some dogs may actually be trying to bite you. This is thankfully less common in the U.S. If a dog actually is going to bite you, maybe you should kick it. Better yet, if you run in places where there are dogs like this, the best thing to do actually is to carry rocks to throw at them before they get near you.
4) Please don't kick dogs below 20 pounds. They might be aggressive but you could actually really hurt them.
This is the proper answer.
Trying to kick a dog just makes it more likely you are going to get bit.
also increases the chance you look like a fool as you swing and miss and the dog knocks you over.
I am sure there is a war of opinion over these 4 pages, just wanted to say my piece.
I will do everything I can to avoid kicking or hurting a dog. Unless it presents a safety issue for me or my pup, it's the owner's fault. I will lay into an owner before I lay a hand on their dog. The dog's behavior is a reflection of the actions of the owner, so I see no reason to "teach a lesson" to the dog. It likely won't do anything. But I'm sure there is a contingent of "they need to learn!" that will simply disagree with me.
That makes no sense. You're going to just get bit by a dog and do nothing about it other than yell at the owner after the fact?
I would certainly kick a dog. I don't give a f.uck about the "innocence" of a dog. It's irrelevant. I'm defending myself.
That said, I use judgement and common sense. i.e., No need to kick a tiny little yapper. I've had plenty encounters. Every encounter has ended well and I've never needed to kick.
I lived in Thailand for many years. The problem there is all of the stray dogs that roam everywhere, even in Bangkok. They have no owners. Obviously they are not on leashes. What worked the best was to bend down and act as if you are picking up a rock. That motion alone usually makes the dogs retreat. In reality, that's what the Thais do and they often pick up a rock and throw it at them.
I had an unleashed dog run under my front tire on my road bike. Busted helmet, concussion, and the owner was sitting on his porch laughing at me. I like, but don't love dogs. I drove by that house many times wishing to catch that lil' f**er crossing the street. Off leash dogs have never caused me trouble while running. One did go after the local XC team while they were running in a park. One boy got bit, one dog got punched, and the owner apologized.
You admit in the very next post you have always been able to avoid getting bit without kicking the dog.
Preemptively kicking the dog isn’t going to deescalate the situation.
You kick the dog if you need to. Don't kick if you don't need to. What part of that is confusing you?
If I've done all I can and the dog still attacks then I defend myself and kicking is the best option. You can try other options as he's mauling you, but I'm defending myself.
Despite what most dog owners would have you believe, these four-legged creatures are descendants of wolves and thus can easily and without warning turn into vicious and hateful animals. They should not be kept as pets. The only good use they have is as police dogs to scare perps, sniff for drugs, and ride in the back of patrol cars to scare local riff raff.
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