unleashed dogs

Yesterday evening, again, some idiot won't leash his three big dogs while walking. From across the street they charge my little cocker and scare the heck out of her. yipping and crying while I try to grab the big dogs and get them away. That didn't work at all.

I chewed out the owner but that doesn't make me feel any better.
They dogs weren't attacking just surrounding us and no injuries so it was not a shooting situation.

Can anyone recommend a small stun gun, cell phone size, that I could carry?

Buy a real dog and quit yer bitchin' It was a joke; seriously though, get a real dog

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Originally Posted by 10x

so it was not a shooting situation

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I think the dogs just wanted to say hi to your dogs and you and your dog over-reacted. Don't be such a xenophobe. Relax and have a home brew.

[Beer]

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Originally Posted by SuperiorDG

I think the dogs just wanted to say hi to your dogs and you and your dog over-reacted. Don't be such a xenophobe. Relax and have a home brew.

[Beer]

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+1 Thats what dogs do. Chill out or get rid of your dog

I must say I am surprised at the above responses. And no I won't do anything to appease irresponsible dog owners.

I would agree that the big dogs wanted to say hi. I didn't know that when they charged over, nor did my dog. This is the third time this has happened with different large dogs.

If people cannot be responsible enough to leash their dogs and control them, I am not putting up with the potential attacks or scaring my dog. I am getting a stun gun.

I Agree that Dogs will be dogs, But I Also see the point that the dogs should be leashed.

I just wish the dog owners around here were more responsible with the baggy...
[Rant2]

I just dealt with the same exact thing this week. My fiance was at the park with our 4 dogs (one pit and 3 small dogs) and some guy was walking the perimeter of the park for a few minutes. The pit Brutus, decided to go say hi, along with the medium sized dog Larry. This guy saw a charging pitbull, and FREAKED out. Was on the phone immediately with police, even though my dog stopped 5 feet away from him and then ran back to my fiance. No bark, no bite, no nothing. She went home after trying to apologize to the guy and less than 5 minutes later there were 5 officers surrounding the house. One even threatened to shoot the dog, after they asked her to go get him. Then they told her they said to "secure him" so they could come in. She didn't let them in 1. because their feet were muddy and she had just cleaned and 2. because she was home alone and told them to get a female officer if they wanted to come in. Most the officers left and one stayed behind while we all waited for animal control to come "evaluate" the dogs. (I had to suddenly leave work to get home and deal with this.) So they evaluated the dogs and could see that they are harmless. They didn't issue us an off-leash ticket, but 2 tickets for "unlicensed dog". Apparently in Adams Country (we live in unincorporated area) the dogs must be licensed. All we had to do was show proof of rabies and that they are spayed/neutered, and the licensing was free. So all we did was update their rabies for $10 each. They voided the tickets.

I have a dog I don't leash in the traditional sense. However, he does have a shock collar and he knows that if he wanders further away from me than 10 feet or so (or doesn't come when I call), he's going to get a nasty shock. That being said, I haven't had to shock him in a LONG time as he responds very quickly to the vibration function. My dog is big and scary looking (or so people have told me) but he is just a butterball (until I give the magic word, hehe).

But dogs are dogs and they just usually want to sniff each others crotches and say hi and all that jazz. I do understand that it's "scary" to see loose dogs running up to you and your smaller animal. However, be a little more observant to the dogs stances, etc and you can tell when a running dog is just having fun or being predatorial.

I do agree with Byte though, humans do not pick up their pets waste very well, even in my neighborhood... It's disgusting.

Dogs sniff other dogs. It's what they do. I have two fairly small dogs (under 15#s each) and large dogs often run up on them for the snif-a-thon. In over ten years of having these two small dogs, and encountering large dogs on walks frequently (every single day), there has never been any harm in allowing typical dog behavior.

I am not a fan of leashes even though my two dogs can't be off-leash as they will find a squirrel more appealing that returning to me when called. For those who walk their dogs off-leash, I'm quite happy for them and support them.

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Originally Posted by 10x

I am not putting up with the potential attacks or scaring my dog. I am getting a stun gun.

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Here's to hoping you accurately predict how the owner of the stunned dog reacts [Beer]

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Originally Posted by hatidua

Here's to hoping you accurately predict how the owner of the stunned dog reacts [Beer]

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I would agree with this, you might be able to stun the dogs but that might put you in a very bad situation with their owner. For me, I have several of the bark free devices, they make them pocket sized as well, you simply point and shoot and it puts out a noise that the dog doesn't like and it goes away. I've used it to stop the dogs barking around my house and it works pretty well, the dogs tuck tail and run away - no harm no foul.

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Originally Posted by hatidua

Here's to hoping you accurately predict how the owner of the stunned dog reacts [Beer]

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Let us know how that works out, try to get the wife to film that on a cell phone camera. Thats a topic in itself.

I think the original poster needs to watch some of the "Dog Whisperer" show. Dogs are pack animals and the more they get exposed to dog packs the better behaved they become. There is a reason Colorado has better dogs than many other places in the US. Mainly because we socialize them so much.

I think we need to take leashes off dogs and put them on children......... but thats just me.

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Originally Posted by nynco

I think the original poster needs to watch some of the "Dog Whisperer" show. Dogs are pack animals and the more they get exposed to dog packs the better behaved they become. There is a reason Colorado has better dogs than many other places in the US. Mainly because we socialize them so much.

I think we need to take leashes off dogs and put them on children......... but thats just me.

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+1

Get a stronger dog!


For about a month, my neighbor’s Black Lab dogs knocked over the trash and pissed on the paper in the driveway while I was at work. One day I was home, saw them, got the GSD, opened the door, and issued the command. The dogs wet themselves and ran with a trail of urine behind them before one was over-taken, knocked down, and pinned by my GSD until I commanded him off. …Problem Solved…they haven’t been back! If somebody’s dog isn’t restrained, I have no problem taking any action I feel necessary. I expect the same. Of course, up in the mountains, I can let my dogs out whenever I want.

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Originally Posted by hatidua

Here's to hoping you accurately predict how the owner of the stunned dog reacts [Beer]

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I'll tell ya this much.... if my large dog and I are outside and he runs over to say hi to you, and you pull something out of you pocket and my dog yelps/drops... I hope you have a good life insurance policy.

You said this has happened 3 times before. Guess what? You're still here! The dogs don't want to hurt you, they aren't going to hurt you, and they haven't in the past which means you're just being a paranoid douche.
Like its been said.... grow a pair and get a real dog.

I just got a black lab from the pound. I take it for walks everyday. I never have it off the leash. For one I don't know what the law is about it. Secondly, I don't want it taken away and have to go to court because some dickhead dog catcher wants to write a ticket.
There are a few dog parks around me where I can feel safe letting him off the leash.
He is well trained and has most of the licenses that a dog gets but I know I'm forgetting something and its going to bite me at the wrong time. He follows me like "a puppy" and doesn't bark (thank you jesus) and isn't aggressive towards children or cats. (Thanks again big guy). I think its because it has personality beyond what a normal dog has.
I want to be able to take the dog off the leash when the mood seems right. Like when he has to jump in a pond for one since I don't want to go and letting go of the leash is worse than not having one I'm told.
Of coarse there are those that ruin it for everyone by not knowing when to keep a dog on a leash and the powers that be treat everyone like them so we all have to suffer.

I don't want to say get a real dog because if your dog makes you happy and is a friend then that's what they are here for then great. But if your dog is a burden and a pussy give it back to your wife and get a real dog. A mutt will have a better personality then a pure bread dog IMHO.

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Originally Posted by Byte Stryke

I Agree that Dogs will be dogs, But I Also see the point that the dogs should be leashed.

I just wish the dog owners around here were more responsible with the baggy...
[Rant2]

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Just saw it the other day, driving home some guys were walking their dog (look malnourished and very unclean too) and the dog just squatted in the street and let a big one go (#2)... I pulled over as they just walked away and said "You guys mind cleaning up after your dog?" They glared at me and said "F*** you, we don't have gloves or anything." I just replied with "Well maybe you should bring shopping bags with you just in case... I don't think you'd like it if I came and dropped a pile of crap right outside your house." It was right in front of one of my neighbors' house and those people are good, law-abiding, nice, 2A people. The guys walking their dog just gave me the finger and told me to "F*** off." Not sure what I should have done after that, but I just drove away thinking if I see them again I'll hand them a Wendy's napkin and tell them to clean up after their dog. [Rant1]

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Originally Posted by DOC

A mutt will have a better personality then a pure bread dog IMHO.

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Just curious how come? My 'pure' bulldog has the greatest personality I've ever seen on a dog...imho

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Originally Posted by UberTong

Just curious how come? My 'pure' bulldog has the greatest personality I've ever seen on a dog...imho

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while not true for all pure breed dogs, some have been inbreed or bred for looks and not for proper intelligence or temperament. This is why many dog breeders from Germany or other places overseas don't want to send dogs here. They think our AKC standards are bad for the health of dogs. I have to agree. A good example of bad breeding is cocker spaniels. Many of them are so inbred that they piss themselves if you just pet them. This is caused by breeders who bred for looks not for health.

As to off leash dogs. Guy with new dog. Best way to train a dog to become off leash is to get a giant 20 foot piece of rope. Go to a large park somewhere and play with him. Distractions are not bad things here, they help train. let the dog out farther and farther. Commanding him with your voice. get to the point where you can drop the rope and command him with your voice. The second the dog tries to bolt, you have 20 feet of rope to step on. The dog will also hear your voice and not see your hands stopping him. soon enough you won't need the rope. Also don't be afraid to be alpha male. You must be top dog. Don't be that owner that coddles the dog like a baby all the time. You won't do him any favors in the long run. Also a dog who is trained off leash may save its life one day. Say the dog runs in the street. If you can't command it not to, bam......... road kill.

Also watch that show the "Dog Whisperer" I thought it sounded like crap till my girl finally got me to watch it. I have to say its one of my favorite shows now. It also has taught me a great deal. Its like free dog training advice each time.

I will make one more comment. My dog is not a problem one on one. The issue was two or three large dogs surrounding us and both the dog and I got nervous. In each case the dogs crossed a street or an equivalent distance to reach us. It is their owners responsibility to control their dogs. That is why there are leash laws. I cannot fend off multiple large dogs without something like a stun gun. I don't want my dog running into the street or breaking loose and something happening to her.

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Originally Posted by 10x

I cannot fend off multiple large dogs without something like a stun gun.

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You've been given several very worthwhile suggestions for sound related devices that work very well and yet you seem obsessed with a "stun gun". Fend off? They are having the canine equivalent of a meet-n-greet.

While I absolutely do not care what happens to you if you stun someone's dog, I can all but guarantee that it won't go quite how you seem to imagine it going. The dog falling to the ground isn't going to be the end of your perceived problems, that's just when things are going to get started in ernest.

For many of us, dogs are part of the family. Stun-gun my dog or human child, my reaction won't differ one little bit. And that reaction isn't going to be "thank you sir for setting my child/dog straight", it's going to be quite different from that.

spent a while looking for the article, cant find it.

~1998-2001?
key points:

Woman walking through the park had a large dog rush her.
She was a wolf-attack survivor.
Shot and killed the Dog.
Owner then attacked her.
She Shoots and kills Dog owner.
Acquitted on right to defend.

anyone else remember this?
seems to me it was north somewhere Longmont, Loveland or fort Collins?

You don't think my dog is not part of my family? Why do you think I am unhappy about this?

You seem to missing the point that my dog was the one being scared by the other dogs (plural). The point is my dog did not take these incidents as meet and greet. They did not attack but did intimidate and chased my dog around me with yipping and crying by my dog. I do not agree that my dog has to be a victim while the loose dogs can go their merry way when they are chasing my dog around me. As I said before I chewed out the owners in each case. They were wrong in each case.

I am not going to have my dog get hurt.

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Originally Posted by Byte Stryke

spent a while looking for the article, cant find it.

~1998-2001?
key points:

Woman walking through the park had a large dog rush her.
She was a wolf-attack survivor.
Shot and killed the Dog.
Owner then attacked her.
She Shoots and kills Dog owner.
Acquitted on right to defend.

anyone else remember this?
seems to me it was north somewhere Longmont, Loveland or fort Collins?

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Did she over react? Or was it a legitimate fear of attack? If someone shot my dog, and it wouldn't be because he was attacking, he is much to nice for that and trained better- I'd shoot them back, but that's just because there could be a perceived threat from my dog, but he would never bite unless provoked.

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Originally Posted by 10x

The issue was two or three large dogs surrounding us and both the dog and I got nervous.

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That's the problem right there. You really need to watch Cesar Milan on his show called The Dog Whisperer on National Geographic. I have watched his show for several years now and, time and again, owners being nervous around strange dogs are a HUGE issue.

I'm not pointing this out to pick on you but to let you know what the problem is. His website, Cesar's Way, has a ton of information regarding dogs, their owners, and behavior characteristics of each and how the influence each other.

My suggestion to you is this: read about dogs

I'm pointing this about because I used to own (ex-wife got him :() a pure bred (AKC registered) pit bull and did quite a bit of research on the breed, how to train it, and what to expect from those not familiar with it.

It saved my ass more than once.

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Originally Posted by Byte Stryke

spent a while looking for the article, cant find it.

~1998-2001?
key points:

Woman walking through the park had a large dog rush her.
She was a wolf-attack survivor.
Shot and killed the Dog.
Owner then attacked her.
She Shoots and kills Dog owner.
Acquitted on right to defend.

anyone else remember this?
seems to me it was north somewhere Longmont, Loveland or fort Collins?

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Byte Strike. there was a perceived threat to life for both instances. I can not say if the woman over reacted to the dog. I have to defer to the court. Part of the problem lies with that fact that dogs are always under humans in the pecking order. So the woman could have been charged with animal cruelty. But as to why that did not happen, not enough is known from your posting to say.

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Originally Posted by Ronin13

Did she over react? Or was it a legitimate fear of attack? If someone shot my dog, and it wouldn't be because he was attacking, he is much to nice for that and trained better- I'd shoot them back, but that's just because there could be a perceived threat from my dog, but he would never bite unless provoked.

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Ahh, so you have a large sign on your dog that says "I am a nice dog and I am just being friendly."

and as far as shooting someone for shooting a dog that was charging them. I'll bring you cigarettes and condoms.

This is why most municipalities have leash laws.
Let your dog jump on me or my kid.
even if the dog isnt shot, he may not go home depending on Animal control and the courts, and you sure as fuck better have allot of insurance.

Animals are a responsibility, Like cars and Guns, If your Animal knocks someone over, attacks someone, violates leash or waste LAWS you will be held criminally and civilly liable.

why is this hard to understand?

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Originally Posted by Byte Stryke

Ahh, so you have a large sign on your dog that says "I am a nice dog and I am just being friendly."

and as far as shooting someone for shooting a dog that was charging them. I'll bring you cigarettes and condoms.

This is why most municipalities have leash laws.
Let your dog jump on me or my kid.
even if the dog isnt shot, he may not go home depending on Animal control and the courts, and you sure as fuck better have allot of insurance.

Animals are a responsibility, Like cars and Guns, If your Animal knocks someone over, attacks someone, violates leash or waste LAWS you will be held criminally and civilly liable.

why is this hard to understand?

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Last time I checked violating a Leash Law or Waste Law is not punishable by death. Now as to you perceiving a threat. Well that is grey area. I know I told my neighbor that if his pit bull gets lose again and charges me like he has done before, I will defend myself. That dog has attacked me and I perceive it as a threat. Which it is and so to is it to children it goes after. So far after telling the owner that to his face, that dog has not been loose since.

Now, not all dogs are the same and some municipalities have laws that permit off leash if the dog is well trained. Which I put in a lot of time making sure my dog was well trained. My dog listens to me and police who have seen her off leash realize that. They tend to give leeway to enforcement if the dog is under the owners control.

Dogs become problems because people don't know how to train them or properly socialize them.

an unleashed dog comes charging at me and im putting it down . i dont care if your dog is your buddy . if it means that much to you then it should be on a leash .i would fully expect someone to kick my little dog if she ran up on someone barking and carrying on .granted the person that kick my seven pound dog is gonna have bigger problems on there hands , but that another issue altogether.

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Originally Posted by Ronin13

Did she over react? Or was it a legitimate fear of attack? If someone shot my dog, and it wouldn't be because he was attacking, he is much to nice for that and trained better- I'd shoot them back, but that's just because there could be a perceived threat from my dog, but he would never bite unless provoked.

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Just because you think that your dog is the kindest gentlest creature on earth doesn’t mean somebody else feels the same way; the people you encounter have no clue as to the dog’s temperament or training. How would they know if your dog wouldn’t bite unless provoked? If your dog is unrestrained, and something happens to the dog; IT IS YOUR FAULT! You can draw on someone defending themselves, their pets, or their family; but that person may just shoot back if you present yourself as another threat. Incidentally, if your dog is that well trained, you should be able to call him back with one command so there would be no incident.


My dogs go out on my property every day. A couple of them, my wife’s dogs, go off the property on occasion. If something happens to them caused by a predator, car, property owner, etc.; it is my wife’s (and mine) fault. If an owner does not leash their dog in a park or on a trail, it is the owners fault if somebody defends against that dog. You better believe that I will kill a dog without hesitation if it goes near my child or step children in any way I see as a threat, and I would not wait for my child to be harmed before I destroy the dog.

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Originally Posted by Byte Stryke

Ahh, so you have a large sign on your dog that says "I am a nice dog and I am just being friendly."

and as far as shooting someone for shooting a dog that was charging them. I'll bring you cigarettes and condoms.

This is why most municipalities have leash laws.
Let your dog jump on me or my kid.
even if the dog isnt shot, he may not go home depending on Animal control and the courts, and you sure as fuck better have allot of insurance.

Animals are a responsibility, Like cars and Guns, If your Animal knocks someone over, attacks someone, violates leash or waste LAWS you will be held criminally and civilly liable.

why is this hard to understand?

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Well walking around I have my dog on a leash, moreso for his safety because I don't trust the drivers in our neighborhood. Now if you're out and about and I'm in my garage and my dog sees yours and wants to come meet your dog (because he likes making new friends) and you shoot him because he's running toward you, guess what my friend, you're deader than Bin Laden on May 2nd! People jump to conclusions waay too much, and the increased pussification of America has forced cities like Denver to classify certain breeds as "aggressive" or "fight" breeds, regardless of the owner or the dog's behavior. My dog has never attacked anyone, and I think he never will. Trust me on this, I hold my dog in a much higher regard than most humans, he's more predictable than most humans. If anyone were to harm him and try to use the excuse they were fearing for their life then I use the excuse "that person attacked my dog and I felt they were going to attack me too."
Not trying to instigate or incite a fight, it's just this is a very close subject to me because my dog is my best friend and a skittish person falsely perceiving a threat makes me soo mad that people always jump to conclusions. Just because dogs are animals and capable, doesn't mean they will. If a dog makes you nervous that gives you no right to murder or tazer it, or harm it just because you're a pussy. If it was foaming at the mouth or a wild cougar, yes I could see how you're justified. But just know, playfulness and aggression can often be confused, just like a threat to my dog and a threat to me can be confused... door swings both ways.

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Originally Posted by alxone

an unleashed dog comes charging at me and im putting it down . i dont care if your dog is your buddy . if it means that much to you then it should be on a leash .i would fully expect someone to kick my little dog if she ran up on someone barking and carrying on .granted the person that kick my seven pound dog is gonna have bigger problems on there hands , but that another issue altogether.

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Here is the grey area.... is the dog coming at you like it is going to kill you, or is it sayin........ hey you are the best person ever and I want to know you too?

Its also the owners fault for not having voice command over the dog.

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Originally Posted by nynco

Here is the grey area.... is the dog coming at you like it is going to kill you, or is it sayin........ hey you are the best person ever and I want to know you too?

Its also the owners fault for not having voice command over the dog.

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every dog owner should be able to tell the difference and yes every owner should have voice control over there dog

I don't get the BS about get a "real dog". 10x has an issue with a dumb ass neighbor who refuses to "control" their animals. I doubt a stun gun will do much unless you can get within arms reach of the dogs. How about a walking stick/staff? Had a friend who had an aggressive neighbor dog attacking his while on walks. He used pepper spray on the dog once and had no further problems.

Dogs can be unpredictable animals, no matter what size. All three of mine have been socialized and are friendly around other dogs and people. They rarely even see a collar but when we are in town or around other people/dogs they get a leash. I don't care how kewl your dog is, if it rushed me in any type of an aggressive manner I will take action to protect myself/dogs.

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Originally Posted by alxone

every dog owner should be able to tell the difference and yes every owner should have voice control over there dog

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The grey area would be the reaction of the non owner.

I seriously was ribbin' him about the real dog thing, the walking stick would be a good thing. I wouldn't risk putting yourself in a bad situation with the other owner for the sake of keeping your dog from getting scared. Most dogs off the leash while with their owner around are gtg (as you've seen for yourself). Now if you do decide to harm somebody's dog that at no fault of your own thought meant you or your dog harm, the other owner might not see things your way and get a little pissed off, then things might escalate between you two...now you have a much bigger problem on your hands. A taser might turn an otherwise harmless dog into an aggressive dog (fight or flight) and you probably wouldn't want that when they're within arm's reach. Honestly I welcome any dog to approach mine, he's a pitbull but he's pretty submissive so if the other dog means harm (focused, stiff tail, back hair on end) then I might be ready to react otherwise they usually end up messing around with each other.

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Originally Posted by alxone

every dog owner should be able to tell the difference

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That is total B.S.
I have been bitten by a dog that was supposedly only coming over from across the street to be friendly. After the fact i demanded that the owner be cited for having an aggressive dog and violating the leash and restraint laws of the town that I lived in at the time and the owner also got to pay my medical bills.
If your dog comes running across the street or out of your property towards me, you can expect at the very least it will get a nose full of pepper spray, and I am not talking about the wimpy crap that they sell at wally world.
And if you wish to pursue after me, I can guarantee I will see you as a threat.
Keep you dogs leashed or fenced in on your property or pay the consequences. Your dog is your responsibility, it is not my responsibility to be able to read a dogs mind and be able to know its intentions.

And yes I am a DOG owner. Or at least I was until our Lab had to be put down due to age.

Buddy of mine has a daughter than will never get to go to school because a "friendly" Dog came over "to say hi"
Knocked her over on HER Drive way and caused her TBI... she was in a coma for 7 years.
the Judge limited damages to 6 million for her life

fuck you and fuck your dog, Control it or it dies. Be a responsible pet owner
Fire on me and I will kill you where you fucking stand.