Is it true that dog pepper spray only makes dogs more aggressive & angrier if you spray them, when they attack?
I mean, like if a stray dog tries to attack you, I thought they would freak out & focus on the burning, rather than getting angrier & attacking you more. But I read on WikiHow that pepper spraying a dog doesn’t make them back off. They said that it makes the dog more aggressive & attack you more.
I am so scared & worried b/c I almost got attacked 4 times this yr. by stray dogs. I have a dog phobia ever since I was attacked by one 7 yrs. ago. I’m still traumatized. & it has affected my life where I’m afraid to leave the house. EXACTLY 1 yr. ago, Aug. 9 of last yr., a dog ran ALL the way across the street, to try to attack me, but he got hit by a car & ran the other way. So, even though it was sad that he got hit, my life was saved. Well, I was no longer in danger of being attacked. Who knows if the dog had rabies or some other disease.
So, I wanna know the truth. Is pepper spray effective? If not, then I wasted my $$, buying some.
By Jane, April 24, 2010 @ 11:50 pm
Pepper spray absolutely is effective and will stop a dog from attacking—-it can stop a bear from attacking!!!.The problem is that not many people are able to use it properly and effectively when they are panicking. Plus- if the wind is blowing the wrong way (towards you) then you could end up with it in your eyes which would make you even more vulnerable to attack. also, I know this is hard for someone with a phobia of dogs but if a dog threatens you by growling/barking and coming at you- do not run unless you are sure that you can make it to safety. Running triggers a dog’s prey drive just as it does many other predatory animals and it may encourage a dog to attack when it would have just been satisfied with growling and barking. Something else to try is an airhorn. The loud noise startles a dog or if legal where you are a small tazer. Also try holding your ground, saying "go home" in a loud voice and making yourself look big. The majority of dogs size a person and other dogs up before truley going through with an attack. Most will back down to a larger and more intimidateing opponent. Again, I know this would be hard to do if you have a fear of dogs so the best thing would be to an airhorn or tazer and if you must walk try to walk with someone. Hope that helps. PS Rabies cases in dogs and even raccons/bats and other wildlife has practically been erradicated. You really don’t have to worry about it. Cats have way more diseases that are transmittable to humans than dogs do.
By Deb F, April 24, 2010 @ 11:50 pm
my idea test it if I’m right not in the eye’s it may blind the dog so yea it would run
By Righteous James, April 24, 2010 @ 11:50 pm
Most stray dogs attack out of nervousness and fear, in other words they are very weak nerved dogs. So no you didn’t waster your money getting it. Most strays will back off if you yell at them loud enough, remember running triggers them to chase you and never ever turn your back in front of a stray. Pepper spray is actually something all dog owners shoud get in areas with high population of stray dogs.
Dogs such as police k9s and protection trained dog have what is called "fight drive" and this adrenaline pumped aggression will not stop them from attacking you and pepper spray is ineffective. They are not weak nerved and have no fear. So just don’t get in trouble with the law!
edit: Think of the flight or fight drive. A police k9 is a dog with good nerves and won’t back out of a fight. A stray dog will flee if you challenge the dog or spray it with pepper spray.
By DarkRose, April 24, 2010 @ 11:50 pm
Pepper spray may still be effective in temporarily blinding the dog, but they may still become more aggressive because you caused pain to them. The only way to find out the truth would be to either ask a vet, dog behavior specialist or maybe a dog handler in the police force.
Remember that not everything on Wikipedia is accurate as anyone can edit the articles.
My suggestion to you is to go to a counsellor and get help for your dog phobia because it’s only hindering you. Pepper spray wont help if your afraid to leave your house.