[[[[[snip]]]]]]

I appreciate the reinforcement, John (Wow, talk about tossing behavioral
jargon around!).  But, when you think about it, that's how animals
communicate what the limits are to other animals, via some physical sign of
force or warning.  You make a very good point about the safety of others who
might be around your pet.  And how many times have we heard something like,
"that's the first time Precious has ripped the throat out of a child."  Most
pets are very accepting and protecting of children in a family, but, then,
there are some which should be carefully watched and monitored.  Truth be
known, that's likely a good practice with any pet.
Cheers,
Jack

I don't have any suggestions, other than what you did, but I'd guess
that's the best thing you could have done.  Running is a VERY bad idea
in such a situation.  If you stay put, you might be attacked, but if you
run, you definitely will be.

Joy

I'm so glad you and your husband got out of the situation unharmed. You
really knew how to react.
Best wishes,

<snip>> I have my own scary dog encounter, and would like to ask your
opinion.

Wow!  Kudos for keeping your wits in a bad situation, Krista ;-)  I do
believe in the *no* command, virtually every dog has heard it.  I understand
trained guard dogs--and I know the police dogs for the Air Force--are
sometimes trained to respond to commands in German.  If pressed, I think I
could manage ;-)

On the practical side--and I offer this with some trepidation--I am
convinced I can kill a dog, with my bare hands, if I am ever seriously
attacked, and I am determined to do so.  If you are a fan of the movie
*Outlaw Josie Wales* you'll recall the scene where Wales is describing how
the people must fight for their lives, admonishing them that they must
"...get mad dog mean..." to survive.  Animals have a mouth full of teeth and
are fast.  We, however, have a better brain and can think in stratigic and
tactical terms.  Predictably, a trained dog will likely go for an arm, as
we've seen in films of police training.  I believe it possible to break a
dogs neck, if it takes your forearm.  The method would be a variation of a
killing, hand to hand combat tactic, I picked up from a book on the subject
from WWII.  In the case of killing an enemy combatant, the method is to get
your forearm under the chin of an opponent, from behind.  Once you have your
arm under the chin, you hook your hand into the crook of the elbow, of your
other arm, with the hand of that arm at the back of the head.  Once you have
achieved this grip (it's rather simple, really), you step back allowing the
weight of the person to bear on the neck, as you bend the head/neck forward,
toward the chest.  Applying that  same principle to an attacking dog, let
him have the forearm, place your free hand just behind its head, grip your
forearm, step back and bend the dog's head back over its body.   I haven't
tried it, so can't say for sure it would work.  However, once when my 130
pound German Shepard and I were playing, he had his mouth wrapped around my
arm.  I very gently took the hold I've described and simply held him, to get
some assessment of the practical usefullness of the tactic--if ever needed.
He was greatly distressed by the situation, and I can guarantee I didn't
hurt him even in the slightest.
   Likely dogs have never encountered a creature with fists, so wouldn't
have a clue about what they can do.  Actually, if you believe some of the
kung-foo nonsence, I suppose you can stop a tank.  An attacking dog would be
vulnerable to a blow to the throat.  I'd hit with my fist and as hard as I
could manage--mad dog mean, remember?  The idea would be to crush the
windpipe/larynx and, if it doesn't work the first time, try it again.  A
blow to that area is quite painful anyway, and, if you do manage to crush
those vital structures, the amimal will likely die......certainly ought to
take some of the enthusiasm out of them.
   Then there is the matter of the eyes.  In our era of sanitized--*G*
rated--staged for TV fights, nobody gouges eyes out.  For that reason, I
doubt anybody would think of disabling an opponent by blinding them.  Eyes
are well protected by bone structure from slashing attacks but, a thumb (use
the thumbs) driven straight into the corner of the eye, then pressed outward
toward the side, would be painful and, if done with the determination the
situation warrants, would dislodge the eye from the socket.  If the loss of
one eye doesn't discourage the beast, take out the other and your now
blinded opponent should be completely at your mercy.
   Otherwise, I would advise giving the idea of how you can fight back some
thought.  What can you do, and how you would do it?  A kick to the chest can
be very dangerous, you know.  People have been killed because their hearts
have been stopped by such a blow, why not a dog?  Also, in my case, I can
imagine a situation where I might grab a dog by a hind leg and sling it
against the pavement.  But I have the size and strength to do that, while
you may not.   The problem gets simpler if there are two of you and only one
attacking dog.  If the dog is attacking your friend, you can kick it in the
chest--as hard as you can. In the alternative, you might be able to get on
its back and get your forearm around the neck, to strangle it.  If a dog
were attacking you, your friend might be able to grab a hind leg and pull it
away, then bash its brains out by swinging it overhead and against the
ground.
   I should also mention I've carried a pocket knife for many years, but
have never thought of it as a weapon, obviously, since I'm just now getting
around to it.  Mine happens to be what's called a *stockman's* model, with a
3" blade, that's as sharp as a razor, literally.  It will split a single
hair (long boring story behind that) and, should I ever think of it, when
attacked by a dog or any other creature, the affair will be settled in a
hurry, if I can get it into action, as it would require both hands to open
it.  However, the state of the art now is pocket knives which can be opened
with one hand.  The ones I've seen, which would be suitable for defensive
purposes, have a button on the blade which allows you to swing the blade
open with the thumb, while holding the handle, with one hand.  As far as I
know, pocket knives are legal in every state and local of the US.  You
should be able to locate something suitable at a gun shop, sporting goods
store, shopping center, etc.  Thus armed (tools and brains are why we're at
the top of the FC) whether you stab an attacking animal or cut it's throat
becomes a matter of personal preference and opportunity.
   There is also a thing called a *bear bomb,* which dischrges a cloud of
pepper gas.  If you are thinking those little canisters of tear gas hanging
on hooks at the stores you frequent, they're rather harmless, I understand,
and not what I'm talking about.  I learned about the things in a discussion
on a Canadian news group where the subject of bear attacks came up.  We were
knocking around a situation where an inexperienced fellow wanted to know if
a 9mm pistol would be sufficient protection against a Grizzly bear (in fact
it's suicidal) and several of the Canadians advocated the use of a bear
bomb.  Apparently they are available in the US, presumably in bear country,
and one fellow described the effectiveness by relating his watching a video
of a bear, running away from a group, diving under water repeatedly, as it
swam away down stream.  I would offer that a device which would turn a
Grizzly would do the job with just about any other critter around,
regardless of whether having two or four legs, which might annoy you ;-)
   Weapons can also be improvised and the bar of soap, in the sock, is a
classic.   It makes a pretty fair blackjack.  Also ball point pens or
pencils can be used to stab.   Give it some thought and I'm certain you can
work out some contingency plans that will serve you well, should the
situation ever come up again.  Of course, in the final analysis, one can
always kneel down, in the fetal position, protecting the neck and throat,
with the hands clasped behind the head and arms held close to the body.
Such would be against my combative nature and assuredly the last thing I
would do, but supposedly it is how one can survive a bear attack.
   Speaking of which, you have heard about this advisory put out by the
state of Montana, haven't you?

   ***Bear Advisory***
   Due to the growing number of people recreating in remote and wilderness
areas, the incidents of encounters with bears are increasing.  Accordingly,
the Montana Department of Natural Resources  is issuing this advisory, in
the interest of public safety.
   Given the opportunity, bears will avoid contact with humans, if they
know they are about.  For this reason, many hikers and campers, will afix
little bells to their clothing to announce their presence to wildlife in the
area.
   When in bear country, people should also be alert to signs that bears
are near.  Black bear scat will resemble that of a domestic dog and contain
bits of fur and berries.  Grizzly bear scat will contain bits of clothing
and little bells.

   Cheers, Krista ;-)
Jack
PS--Regarding your concern for humans remaining at the top of the food
chain, I think we can manage it for awhile longer yet.

I like dogs, but I am extremely wary around them. It enrages me when people do
not have their dogs on leashes and they allow the dogs to come right up to me.
What the hell is that? Get your dog AWAY from me!

I was at a playground with a babysitting charge just yesterday and a lady was
there with her dog, on a leash at least. (There was a huge no-dog sign, but it
couldn't possibly apply to HER). A kid walked up to within a few metres of them
and said "may I pet your dog"? Just as he had been taught. The woman replied,
"Huh? Yeah, sure.". The kid goes up to the dog and the dog jumps back and gets
all upset. Not barking or anything, but still. The woman says, "Oh, be careful!
You have to go slow because he doesn't know you. HE DOESN'T LIKE PEOPLE."
(emphasis mine). WTF???? If that had been the kid i was taking care of, I would
have thrown a huge fit. What an irresponsible idiot.

Anyhow, I carry a collapsable baton, in part to whack any dog who tries to bite
me. In a self-defence way, I mean. Like I said, I LIKE dogs. But I'm wary.