mbelue, as a pretty big dog enthusiast and a volunteer at the local shelter, here are a few steps I think you should take...
1. First, ask your work if they offer any kinds of dog bite prevention classes. I've read articles online where cities have brought in a trainer to teach their meter readers a class like this, and dog attacks drop as high as 90%. Also ask if they provide any items to help you defend yourself, or if they will expense any purchases you make for your own safety. This is a work-related expense and involves your safety. Your employer should be involved.
2. If you aren't familiar, you should watch a few videos on youtube on how to prevent dog attacks. If you are aware and alert, almost all dog attacks can be prevented.
3. You should try carrying a few items... dog treats, umbrella, stun gun, mace, etc. Throw some of these dogs a couple treats every day and you might have a bunch of new best friends in a week. Then again, maybe not. A lot of dogs have a really weird blind hatred for men in uniforms (meter readers, mail men, delivery guys). At first just throw some treats and move on if possible.
Umbrellas can confuse the hell out of dogs and the popping action can scare the hell out of them. A lot of dogs are sight sensitive and will be intimidated. Plus it gives you something light and easy to carry that can extend out and be used to keep a physical distance between you and a dog.
Stun guns can be good. The noise they make can be deterring and also obviously you can stun a dog to get away.
Mace is ok. Difficult to use if its windy, you could spray yourself, if you miss there's nothing in your hands to help defend you from the dog, if you spray the dog and it goes inside the house and children touch it then touch their face you could have a lawsuit on your hands, etc.
Stun gun + mace are last resort options. Most issues should be able to be avoided with proper training and alertness.
That said, at the end of the day, your safety is priority. Never enter a yard that has a loose dog unless you are familiar and friendly with the dog. If it's a dog loose in the yard with no fence, that's just absolutely horrible dog ownership. Do some local research and see who these people should be reported to (local police, animal control, maybe even ask a local shelter who you should contact as they'll have the dog's best interest in mind).
If you're getting chased by multiple dogs who aren't restricted to their own yard, there are some really irresponsible owners who should be reported.
I would start with treats. I bet most dogs will be incredibly responsive to this. Please reserve things like mace and stun guns as a last resort (the dogs aren't responsible for how they have or haven't been raised) but also try to maintain a safe distance and recognize a situation before its too late.
1. First, ask your work if they offer any kinds of dog bite prevention classes. I've read articles online where cities have brought in a trainer to teach their meter readers a class like this, and dog attacks drop as high as 90%. Also ask if they provide any items to help you defend yourself, or if they will expense any purchases you make for your own safety. This is a work-related expense and involves your safety. Your employer should be involved.
2. If you aren't familiar, you should watch a few videos on youtube on how to prevent dog attacks. If you are aware and alert, almost all dog attacks can be prevented.
3. You should try carrying a few items... dog treats, umbrella, stun gun, mace, etc. Throw some of these dogs a couple treats every day and you might have a bunch of new best friends in a week. Then again, maybe not. A lot of dogs have a really weird blind hatred for men in uniforms (meter readers, mail men, delivery guys). At first just throw some treats and move on if possible.
Umbrellas can confuse the hell out of dogs and the popping action can scare the hell out of them. A lot of dogs are sight sensitive and will be intimidated. Plus it gives you something light and easy to carry that can extend out and be used to keep a physical distance between you and a dog.
Stun guns can be good. The noise they make can be deterring and also obviously you can stun a dog to get away.
Mace is ok. Difficult to use if its windy, you could spray yourself, if you miss there's nothing in your hands to help defend you from the dog, if you spray the dog and it goes inside the house and children touch it then touch their face you could have a lawsuit on your hands, etc.
Stun gun + mace are last resort options. Most issues should be able to be avoided with proper training and alertness.
That said, at the end of the day, your safety is priority. Never enter a yard that has a loose dog unless you are familiar and friendly with the dog. If it's a dog loose in the yard with no fence, that's just absolutely horrible dog ownership. Do some local research and see who these people should be reported to (local police, animal control, maybe even ask a local shelter who you should contact as they'll have the dog's best interest in mind).
If you're getting chased by multiple dogs who aren't restricted to their own yard, there are some really irresponsible owners who should be reported.
I would start with treats. I bet most dogs will be incredibly responsive to this. Please reserve things like mace and stun guns as a last resort (the dogs aren't responsible for how they have or haven't been raised) but also try to maintain a safe distance and recognize a situation before its too late.
