Dog deterrent that's NOT painful

[Heather]

I'm looking for a dog deterrent to carry with me while walking Amos that I can use when a loose dog (with no owner in sight) runs up to us. Call me paranoid, but if there is no owner around to tell me their dog is safe around other dogs or not I always assume the worst and try to keep it away just in case. I've had dogs come up with a friendly posture and attack. I just don't trust them and it's MY duty to keep my dog safe in situations that may be dangerous for him (and he's only 20 lbs so most approaching dogs outweigh him, sometimes by 50 lbs). I've been told to carry mace or pepper spray to spray the approaching dog but I don't want to HURT the dog, I just want to keep it AWAY. I was thinking how those bark collars have citronella spray in them and wondered if a can of pure orange oil would be ok as I guess dogs don't like that smell. Or is there another essential oil that keeps dogs away without burning their skin/eyes? I just want to spray it at them when they approach and hopefully they will stay back so we can continue walking. I live in a pretty rural area (everyone is on atleast 3 acre lots but most of us have 5+) so everyone has their dogs outside so of course when they see someone walking on the road by their "territory" they rush out. I'm just tired of avoiding good roads because "that's the house with the loose dog that might be aggressive." We're down to like 1 road/route we can walk/bike on. It's pathetic.

[E!!]

What about one of those obnoxious honking things that people use at ball games and such? It is like canned air forced through something that make a loud noise.

[Heather]

My dog would probably pee himself from the noise and never want to go on walks again, LOL. I found these ultrasonic dog deterrents online but it doesn't work when you're walking your own dog.. it's for postal workers, delivery workers, joggers, etc. Maybe I should just make a solution, patent it and sell it myself? I cannot find ANYTHING that deters by smell (except skunk.. but I don't want to carry around a skunk while we're biking).

[strangeduck]

Hmm....this is a tough one, and one I face whenever I walk my dogs in town, especially since Sutter Creek seems to be the land of unhappy, unsocialized yard dogs that go nutso when my dogs go past.  Luckily, they are mostly locked in their yards, but if they could get to my dogs...

And for some reason, the owners of the small dogs think it's funny when the small dogs act like they want to attack my big dog.  So, not funny...

What about a spray bottle with water?  Alot of dogs (even dogs that like water) don't like to be sprayed in the face with water, and since it would just be water, it wouldn't hurt them and if you ended up with a pissed off owner, you could point out that a face full of water would be preferable to vet bills from the dog fight their irresponsibly unrestrained dogs are trying to incite.

[JR1030]

I don't know how much aggression you're talking about, but what about compressed air?  Like the kind in a can that you use to clean your computer keyboard and such.  Not sure how close they'd have to get to actually feel the effect.

[Heather]

Thanks for the suggestions. I never thought about just plain water in a spray bottle, and the compressed air might scare them just with the noise and not neccessarily the feeling of the air. I am also looking into getting some clove oil. I might just put a few drops in the spray bottle with the water. I put some New Skin on a cut of mine and I let me cats and dgs smell it when it was dry (it has clove oil in it) and the cats ran away and the dogs turned and walked in the other direction. I don't blame them- it stinks. I'll have to play around with the suggestions here and see what works better. Since most of the dogs that run at us are giant labs or goldens, I want something that I will be able to keep them away at atleast 6 feet and stop them in their tracks.

[star2]

I've heard of putting vinegar mixed with water in the spray bottle.  A little something extra in case the dog likes water!

[Rattiemama]

The clove oil is a good deterrent, but keep in mind that it will sting if it gets in their eyes or other mucus membranes. It won't harm them, but it will be like a very mild mace. Vinegar would also sting. I think just a spray bottle of water might get them off guard long enough for you to shoo them off. It can't hurt to try right?

[~Stacey~]

What about using a small super soaker type squirt gun? They used to make small ones that would hold about 20oz of water. That would get you more distance than a regular spray bottle.

[Dogstar]

I carry a mace/pepper spray combo myself. However there is something you can use that will not hurt the dog but can help a lot to deter a loose dog: an umbrella.
Now, a truly aggressive dog set on attacking may not be deterred by an umbrella. However it can be a deterrent to a loose dog. Many dogs would be startled by an umbrella opening towards them, the noise and sudden appearance of a big dark object can often be enough to get them to back off. Additionally the umbrella provides a bit of a shield between you (or your dog) and the loose dog. Of  course it can easily be torn up by a truly aggressive dog but most dogs are not out to attack and so it is often effective.

The only caveat is that you should make sure that the umbrella isn't going to send your own dog into a panic. You can do this by leaving an open umbrella around where your dog can see it to show them it's not scary, and getting them used to the sight and noise of one opening. What I did to be sure my dogs would not be frightened is I placed an open umbrella on the ground and then tossed treats nearby and finally into the umbrella for them to eat.

[Ratwings]

There is a product called Direct Stop (I think) that is basically pressurized citronella spray in a can. A lot of dog trainers carry this if they work with aggressive dogs. It's the smell that deters the dogs. I wouldn't use mace because that can drift back and get into Amos' or your eyes then you will all be blind and coughing. I also wouldn't use pure orange oil, because essential oils can be dangerous to use around animals, they are just so strong.

[Heather]

THANK YOU Ratwings! This is exactly what I was looking for. I searched online for an hour and couldn't find anything no matter what I typed in. I'll put a can on order.

[Ratwings]

You're welcome! I should really consider getting one of these too. Even though i always keep my reactive pit bull on a leash, a lot of idiot owners have let their dogs run up to us (off-leash). So far we've lucky, but I am also very nervous about walking Sonny in certain areas.  If anything were to happen of course it would be the vicious pit that would get all the blame.

[Kati33]

I know the feeling Ratwings- my cattle dog is dog aggressive, and although I'm working on it, I can't garuntee he won't go after another dog that threatens him. And what am I supposed to do when I have my "problem" dog on a leash and yet others feel it is OK for their dogs (who are apparently friendly, yeah right) to wander around off leash and push the situation. *sigh* Other people's dogs...

[werecatrising]

You're welcome! I should really consider getting one of these too. Even though i always keep my reactive pit bull on a leash, a lot of idiot owners have let their dogs run up to us (off-leash). So far we've lucky, but I am also very nervous about walking Sonny in certain areas.  If anything were to happen of course it would be the vicious pit that would get all the blame.

  I hear ya! I have a pit mix. I walk him on leash and constantly have off leash dogs charging at us. Awhile back I had some tiny chihuahua come running out of their yard He immediately started biting my dog on the back of his legs. I looked at the owner and asked if they intended to come get their dog. There reply was that they were afraid of my dog because "he looks mean."