Reddit reviews PetSafe SprayShield Animal Deterrent with Clip - Citronella Dog Repellent Spray – Ranges up to 10 ft - 2.4 oz / 71 mL - Protect Yourself and Your Pets

This is a common problem for me.

1. Get in between the dogs, my dog is almost always the bigger and stronger one
   
2. Tell the owner (loudly) to get control of their dog
   
3. If the dog is in range I spray it with a harmless deterrent such as PetSafe which is sometimes effective. I don’t like having to do this, or even owning the product but it’s safer than a dog fight.
   
4. Call the police, having your dog off-leash outside of a designated dog park is a crime in most places. Usually the punishment is escalating fines. If you can call the police before there is an incident that is preferred.
   
   Especially if you have a pit-type dog it is important to take steps like carrying the spray and calling law enforcement since if there is an incident pits usually are blamed in any media reports. Sadly this is true even when the other non-pit dog was the aggressor.

Are all of these incidents in the same location? It's probably a good idea to not return to this location(s) as it sounds like people are using the open space to run their dogs.

Consider taking some kind of deterrent on walks from now on. One user on this sub recommended this spray for when she's out hiking, but I sometimes take it with me on walks around the neighborhood too, since my neighbors have been known to just not pay attention to their dogs. If someone is going to mismanage their dogs to where they are not under voice control when off leash, then they're going to have to deal with their dogs being sprayed in the face with a deterrent.

This is a higher concentration spray meant for dogs.

https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-SprayShield-Deterrent-Citronella-Yourself/dp/B00MIP6X06/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537017517&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=sprayshield+animal+deterrent+spray&psc=1

I have used it successfully on multiple dogs in a rural neighbourhood where I live since Animal Control is useless and the dog owners don’t bother to control their dogs. The most recent use was on a pit bull that lives 3 doors down from me who ran out of its property and charged at us. I sprayed it square in the face and it turned around. Some stubborn dogs require 2-3 direct sprays.

PetSafe SprayShield Animal Deterrent with Clip, Citronella Spray up to 10 ft, Prot... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MIP6X06/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_.grSCbTE40WH3



That’s the pet safe spray that I carry. I’ve had to use it twice and both times it stopped the dogs out of a full sprint dead in its tracks and made them run away. One was a pit bull and the other was a German Shepherd, but there’s a reason why I carry Sabre red and the g43.

I carry this citronella spray with me on walks. I (thankfully) haven’t had to use it, but lots of reviews from people who stayed it de-escalated a bad situation.

PetSafe SprayShield Animal Deterrent with Clip, Citronella Spray up to 10 ft, Protect Yourself and Your Pets - PTA00-14718 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MIP6X06/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Svc3DbS95Y2F3

This stuff is great for breaking up a dog fight, it doesn’t hurt them but it gets their attention without having to shove your hands into the middle of snapping dogs.

You're not stopping or slowing WAY down to linger in front of their house, right? Do keep moving as you pass their house. That's not a good spot to "be a tree", stop and play "Look At That", zigzag back and forth, take baby steps, take penalty yards, or work on 1step-2step-3step sits.

The neighbor is an asshole. I understand his frustration (baby = no sleep, dog probably outside more to prevent waking baby, baby+dog issues compound, perceived teasing of dog), but the way he expressed his frustration makes him an asshole.

Don't do anything petty or mean. Don't yell at him or belittle him. It might feel good but it will make things worse.

If you want to engage with them and try to build a more neighborly relationship, leave them a note explaining that it wasn't your intent to tease their dog...you're working on your own dog's social issues and the training protocol requires walking in a controlled manner past distractions. If you end up on good terms maybe you could give them a call before you walk, so they can bring their dog inside. If you end up on good terms they might also be okay with you throwing a biscuit to their dog (from afar!) when you pass to build better associations.

If you understandably don't want to try to build a neighborly relationship, walk a different direction for a few days to let things cool down. If you walk past their house in the future, keep a normal pace. A waist leash makes that easier, so you can click/treat while moving with your hands free. Document all interactions. Immediately report his threat to whomever (police non-emergency line, neighborhood council) you think appropriate.

In your situation I might feel more comfortable with a gopro recording, and carrying some of this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-SprayShield-Retail-Clamshell-Package/dp/B00MIP6X06, or even pepper spray if the dog is really aggressive and might get loose.

Have you seen this?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/PetSafe-SprayShield-Animal-Deterrent-Spray/dp/B00MIP6X06/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1538060139&sr=8-8&keywords=pepper+spray

Found some for you.
Stop that! is the pheromone spray. Boar pheromones trigger an immediate "WTF was that" response and has saved me multiple times.


Pet corrector. This one is like a silent air horn. Definitely has worked to deter dogs from coming near me.

This is the citronella repellent.

I have also heard that some people have used a diluted pepper spray. Personally, if I was being attacked by an unknown dog or it attacked my own dog, I have no qualms with pepper spraying them. There is a brand called SABRE that is marketed for protection against dogs, but it is essentially just normal MACE. I'm not sure if pepper spray is legal for civilians to carry in the UK as even some states here restrict the use, so I looked up another type of defensive spray for you.

Defense spray.

A low powered tazer designed for women is another thing I carry around. More for my own safety, but would consider using it on a large dog as well if the circumstances warranted. Mind, the more extreme sprays and tazers are precautions I can legally take, because an attack against my service animal is a felony due to classification as necessary medical equipment. Assault on my dog is essentially assault on my life, and in my state I have a lot of freedom for self protection in these cases. Always check your local laws before picking up defensive sprays.

I forgot the link.

PetSafe SprayShield Animal Deterrent with Clip, Citronella Spray up to 10 ft, Protect Yourself and Your Pets - PTA00-14718 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MIP6X06/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xG5xCbF8XSXGM

Another option without the citronella..

Pet Corrector – The Company of Animals – Bad Behavior and Training Aid - Quickly Stops Barking, Jumping, Digging, Chewing – Harmless and Safe- 50ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UCH02O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3n6xCbPFE015M

I carry citronella spray on my walks and have used it to keep loose dogs away, but I don't know how well it would break up an existing fight. Anyway, for those that might be curious: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MIP6X06/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Start taking video of incidents - religiously. Have your phone on you and ready to record every time you go out. This is simply to cover your ass.

Buy some of these. Take one outside and practice using it without your dog around so you're not fumbling around with it if you ever need to actually use it in an emergency situation. Carry one with you on every walk and don't be afraid to use it.