As a dog trainer and handler many times I get questions from people about how they should defend themselves against a dog attacking them.

This is a very interesting question but it has no instant clear solution. But maybe this article can help you and set you on the right track. First of all before we are going to deal with the techniques and tactics let’s take a look at dog handling and training.

There are different types of dogs and different types of handlers/owners. Some combinations between dog and owner work fine and some don’t. Those who don’t work out are the ones that give problems.

The ones that work fine are those were the owner knows his animal, it’s needs and temperament.

The ones that spoil the fun are those who either:

Got themselves a dog to show of.

Don’t have a clue about the needs of a dog.

Think their dog is a human.

Need a dog to boost their ego.

Selected the wrong dog for the job.

Next we should take a look at the dogs. There are different races of dogs, each of them bread for a different purpose. A Maltezer will never attack you the same way as a Bloodhound would. Their purpose is different as is their body size.

But within the different races I need to say that every dog has it’s own character and temper. Some are easy going, others are nervous, some like to bark and some just bite without a warning.

When buying a dog make sure you know exactly what you want the dog to do for you. Do you want him to guard you (defence dog), do you want him to attack trespassers (attack dog) or do you need company (companion dog)?

When reading the papers and listening to the news we always hear about the same dog races to be the bad ones. They are called dangerous, attack dogs, vicious, etc… and the law is trying to ban those dogs or put restrictions on breeding them. To my opinion this is completely wrong. Most of the time the dog is paying for the stupidity and ego of his owner.

The dogs listed usually as dangerous are : Rottweiler - German Sheppard - Pit-bull - Doberman - Bulldogs - Alaskan Malamutes - Siberian Huskies - Great Danes - etc…

If you take a look at them it is easy to understand why these dogs are on the blacklist. They are all working dogs of considerable size and weight. But if you look at statistics you will find that people are attacked more frequently by the terriers than by a dog of the blacklist. The only difference is to be found in the damage the attack provokes. A 45kg dog with a bite pressure of 750 kg per square centimetre does a lot more damage than a little doggie reaching 10 cm of height and weighing 3 kg.

Well now, how do we defend against a dog that is going for us? first of all if it’s a trained police dog 100% sure, than stand still and don’t move at all. They are trained to bite when you flee or resist. Lie down on the floor face down or stand still with your hands up. They are trained to recognize these signals. These dogs are the easiest to deal with.

Next type of attacker is the one that is not trained at all. Depending on the type of dog (race) he will go for one target or another.

Wrap your arm in your jacket and offer your arm to the dog. 60% chance he will go for it. When he bites resist a little, that will make him tighten his grip, fall on top of the dog and immobilize him with you forearm (still stuck in his mouth), next stick your thumb in his eye and take it out. Don’t try hitting his nose. He will only get more ferocious. Take out both of his eyes before you release him. A 45 kg Rotweiler is very difficult to subdue so don’t hesitate, he will not give you a second chance. (I don’t like this but i write this to protect the innocent victims of the consequences of stupid owners) If it’s a large heavy dog (type Rotweiler) the chances are he will try to get at your legs. They are a little reluctant to get up to grab your arm. If he tries, kick at him and always face the dog. Don’t turn around to run away. That will only excite him more and trigger even more his hunting instincts. Call for help, scream and get people to help you, try to pick up stones or sticks and throw them at the dog.

If you are made of the stuff hero’s are made off you can try something completely different. In the case the dog come running to you and is alone and barking, run towards him and make lot’s of noise while you swing your arms around. This will make you look bigger and you have a 73% chance you scare the dog of. (Only 23% if the dog doesn’t bark).

Barking dogs don’t bite goes the saying and to some level it is true. A dog barks to warn you or to hide his own fear.

Next and most dangerous categories of dogs are the ones who are only partially trained. They don’t respond to commands and don’t recognize obvious signals. They go for the kill so to speak. They have enough self confidence to not be scared away but they are not trained enough to stop when the victim stops resisting. These are the ones that make most victims. They are the hardest to defend against. The only option you have is the same you use against an untrained dog. But be aware that those dogs will be more difficult to subdue or to lure into biting in you arm. Some of them are trained to bite in the shoulder or the genitals so be very careful.

If there are more than one dog attacking you than pray. This is the same as being attacked by a pack of wolves. The hunt in group and wile you defend yourself against one the others will circle and take you in the back. Put your back against a wall or car and get a stick try to hold them off until help arrives.

As you can see it is very difficult to defend against a dog if you don’t know what you are up to and in order to be able to distinguish different types of dogs and attacks you need to be an professional handler or at least an experienced owner/handler.

The best to take care of all these dogs without killing or maiming them is to use pepper spray. The regular spray sold in your local town will do just fine. These sprays are cheap, they come in different sizes and colours and they are easy to carry and put away. They work against every type of dog attack

About The Author
Peter Vermeeren is a traditional martial arts teacher for over 30 year. His websites can be found here: takaharudojo.org” target=”_new takaharudojo.org and kamikaze-portal.com” target=”_new kamikaze-portal.com

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Tags: rottweiler

The Rottweiler is a breed whose history is somewhat shrouded. One theory has it that the ancestors of the breed were the dogs which were brought to Europe as War Dogs by the legions of Rome and some were left behind as the Legionnaires marched onwards. In any case, in the city of Rottweiler, a flourishing commercial and agricultural marketplace in southern Germany, for many centuries there was a breed of dog with the general appearance of the Rottweiler of today. This dog was used for its droving abilities and as a guardian against marauding animals and thieves. The animal was such an excellent protector against thieves that it has been noted in history that the moneybags for trade at the market were carried around the necks of these dogs.

The Rottweiler of today is noted for its high intelligence and trainability. In Germany, which requires strict control of the breeding population and is the home of the Ring Sport of Schutzhund, the Rottweiler is a superior competitor and often a strong contender for some of the highest titles. The dog has gained in popularity in the United States where it has continued to serve mankind in many areas, including a dog for military use, a guide dog for the blind, a police dog, a search dog and a family guardian and pet.

The Rottweiler should have a compact and muscular appearance. The head is square with a definite stop and bold look to the eye. The ears are folded over neatly and set high and are not overly long. The neck should be of solid proportion and strongly set on the shoulders, which should be well laid back for strength and pulling power. All in all, the entire appearance should be one of strength and solid power. The color of the Rottweiler is shiny black with rich tan markings above the eyes, on the cheeks and jaws and upper chest, a tan blaze mark should appear between the forelegs and on all four legs.

The character of the Rottweiler is willing, anxious to please and highly intelligent. He is also quite a happy dog, playful and with great spirit, never tiring of fun and games as long as it is with people that he loves. He is somewhat of a clown as a puppy and young dog, often not maturing and becoming “steady” until after the age of two. He will give great affection to people that he considers belong to him and will remain faithful and loyal. This is a dog that must be brought up as a social dog however, for he carries within his genetic history a fierce guarding and protective instinct and needs to learn early on that people are to be his charges and are not a threat. The Rottweiler has great strength and courage and a protective nature and when this is channeled in the right direction he will be the faithful guardian he is meant to be. However in the hands of an ignorant or irresponsible owner, this dog can do great damage because of those same instincts.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to dog-guides.com/ Dogs.

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Tags: rottweiler

The rottweiler breed has a long history and quite a reputation. Before buying your own pet it is a good idea as always when buying a dog, to become somewhat familiar with some of the characteristics of rottweilers.

As the rottweiler is quite a physical dog, with great strength, it is even more important that you know what you are getting yourself in to. It is key to start training of your dog as early as possible. Rottweilers need to be properly socialized so they get used to being around people. This will help greatly in later years if your dog has learned this early on.

If properly socialized and well trained the rottweiler will provide you loving friendship and good loads of exercise. They are very intelligent animals and therefore need stimuli. If you do not give them intellectual challenges to keep them, lets say, entertained, they will find ways of their own to entertain their mind which may not always be in line with what you wish to have happen in your home.

When training your rottweiler you need to be strong and firm as this breed can be strong willed at times. So let them know who is in charge, this will make both you and your dog feel more safe and calm. Even though a properly handled rottweiler is usually calm that can also be very playful, thriving on the attention from their owner and need people around to be happy.

This breed does not usually bark much. Rottweilers are known as quite dogs, though females can sometimes get loud when they feel they need to protect their home. The fact that they are rather quiet and in the event of feeling threatened tend to very still before attacking with no warning growl, has added to the reputation that rottweilers are unreliable. Though an observant owner should be able to easily spot when his or her dog feels threatened in some way.

Again it needs to be pointed out that the rottweiler needs to learn from its master who is in charge. This may at times take being very firm when training them. Once they learn you are in charge if you do your job well, they will obidiently do everything they can to please their owner.

If you have other animals around it is normally not a problem with a rottweiler as long as it grows up together with these animals around. Then they will only see these other creatures as part of the home.

There of course more to be said about rottweilers, but hopefully this has given you some basics of this great breed.

Kari Eriksson is an infopreneur and a dog lover since many years. Lately Rottweilers have become a special interest and he operates The Rottweiler Directory at rottweilerdirectory.com rottweilerdirectory.com alongsides with rottweilers-online.com rottweilers-online.com where you can find articles, links and useful resources.

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Tags: rottweiler

Looking for some quick Rottweiler dog facts? Here’s a quick rundown of basics facts about Rottweilers.

Vital Stats:

Colour: Black with distinctive tan markings over cheeks, muzzle, chest and legs as well as over both eyes

Coat: straight, coarse and of medium length. Rottweilers are double coated and tend to “blow out” their undercoats twice a year.

Size: Medium-large, Males range from 95-135 lbs, Females tend to be smaller from 80-110 lbs

Types: American Rottweilers tend to be taller and slimmer through face and body whereas German Rottweilers tend to be shorter, stockier and more muscular.

History:

It is thought that the ancestors of this breed (a mastiff type dog) originated in the Roman Empire and that many of them accompanied the Roman army over the Alps as the loyal protector and drover of cattle that were used as the army’s food source.

According to historians, the next appearance of this mastiff type dog was in the beautiful little town of Rottweil nestled in the southern mountainous region of Germany, where the Roman armies had left them as they continued their travels.

The Rottweiler was used by farmers to pull carts in their daily milk deliveries, as well as to help herd the cattle. Butchers used these dogs to guard their down-stairs shops during times of rest and to carry pouches of money to the banks.

The Rottweiler then grew in popularity with law enforcement agencies and eventually as guard dogs in domestic settings.

Rottweilers today excel in such sports as herding, Schutzhund, carting, agility and flyball. They are also proving to be outstanding therapy dogs and recognized as excellent service dogs for the physically challenged.

The exceptional characteristics and versatility of the Rottweiler has made it the 2nd most popular breed in America for the past two years.

The Rottweiler dog is loyal, intelligent and desires to please. They are often described by owners as ‘characters’, ‘gentle bears’ and display a fun-loving sense of humor. However they are a working dog and as such are happiest when they are busy or working on a task.

Rottweilers can also be aloof and stubborn at times. They are known to be extremely protective of their owners’ possessions and property, which is why they are often used as guard dogs.

If a Rottweiler is not well-socialized and trained properly in obedience, they can become a bully and this can lead to other behavioral problems.

Health Concerns:

Hip and/or Elbow Dysplasia - a malformation of the hip and/or elbow joint which can cause serious problems for the dog and expense for the owner. Both are thought to be hereditary which is why you should ask the breeder about the history of your Rottweiler.

Bloat - stomach swells from gas, fluid or both. It becomes serious when the stomach distends and then flips over, causing torsion. This is caused by over-eating, drinking large amounts of water after eating, and/or vigorous exercise after a meal.

Help prevent bloat by feeding several small meals a day, crating the dog for several hours after eating, and monitoring water intake.

Cancer - becoming more common in Rottweilers, with bone cancer the most common type. Investigate any suspicious lumps, moles, sores or unexplained lameness IMMEDIATELY.

Heart Diseases- most common is the is sub-aortic stenosis which can be mild or result in sudden death.

Where To Find A Rottweiler/Rottweiler Puppy:

1) A Reputable Breeder: A reputable breeder will be happy to answer any questions you have about the Rottweiler line and health. They will NOT push you into buying their dogs, but will probably be more concerned to see if YOU are suitable for THEIR puppies.

They will, if possible, allow you to meet the parents and spend some time with the puppy of your choice before deciding to buy.

2) A Rottweiler Rescue: Most, if not all, Rottweiler rescues screen the rottis that they take in to make sure they are trainable and will adjust well in normal domestic settings.

A Rottweiler rescue is an excellent place to find an older Rottweiler if training a rottweiler puppy is not your preference.

This is also a chance to make a difference in the life of a Rottweiler who has probably been mistreated and abused through no fault of it’s own!

If you are interested in learning more facts about Rottweilers or training tips, visit Rottweiler Training:

rottweilertraining.homestead.com RottweilerTraining.homestead.com

Kathryn O’Neill is a Rottweiler lover, owner and chief editor for rottweilertraining.homestead.com Rottweiler Training . For more tips and information about training your Rottweiler, check out:

rottweilertraining.homestead.com RottweilerTraining.homestead.com

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Tags: rottweiler

Let me start off by stating that not all pit bulls are born dangerous. The real source of the danger lies with irresponsible ownership. These dogs are not human aggressive by nature. They are also one of the most abused breed of animals in this country.

Pit bulls are just about average for number of dog bites, and believe it or not the lovable Labrador Retriever gives the most bites per year.

Pits tend to be animal aggressive but despite what the media may have you believe they are not born killers. Human aggression is a completely separate trait from aggression toward other dogs or other animals. Dog aggression is a very common trait in pit bulls. In contrast human aggression is not. In both cases the reason is a result of breeding and training.

One of the most important things to consider before you buy a pit bull is the history of the breeder as well as how much time you have to care for the dog.

This is not a breed for couch potato’s; these dogs need a good amount of exercise. Training, love, and proper care are the keys to success with this very athletic breed.

Pit bulls are characterized by their short stocky but strong bodies. American bulldogs are larger and have a higher working drive where as pit bulls are smaller and are more animal aggressive. Still saying that all pit bulls are mean and dangerous is an uneducated generalization of this breed.

Pit bulls were originally bred for blood sports, like Bull and Badger bating and dog fighting. Although aggression towards other animals would be a desirable trait for these sports, the dog’s handlers needed to be able to reach in and separate their dogs to administer some first aid so they could continue to tear each other apart, if that makes any sense.

Because of the dog handlers need to interact with these powerful animals these fighters had to be bred to be human friendly. This is why a pit bull is a poor choice for a guard dog. They instinctively like people.

Blue pit bulls have become very much in demand and are currently the favorite color.

Most of these dogs are very intelligent, tenacious, and yes fearless. They have become the villain of choice today when it comes to viscous dog attacks, some of which are deserved.

What I have learned is that pit bulls are not born mean.

There are two things that make these dogs dangerous…

1. Ignorance

2. Bad owners.

There are currently a number of cities around the US that have or are looking to band pit bulls. But what will this accomplish?

Assuming for a moment that you ban them, the same problem owners that now raise pit bulls for all the wrong reasons will just choose other breeds: let’s say Rottweiler to abuse and train to be aggressive.

Responsible ownership and stricter breeding regulations is the only real way to address the issue of dangerous and aggressive dogs.

Discover the Shocking Truth about all-about-pitbulls.com Pitbulls

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Tags: dog aggression, pit bull, rottweiler