Opinions on the Ultrasonic dog repellers?

Littlebear

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Hi all, I just wondered what people’s opinions on these devices are please ?
I walk my dog on a lead and often have unwanted dogs off the lead tearing over out of control at my dog who panics and can lash out (she’s a tiny jrt)
Are these worth buying to try to combat? Was also thinking of carrying when riding out in the country park to stop dogs chasing my horse (Which doesn’t happen often but has been an issue)? Any thoughts or advice pls?
 

Equi

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Surely a dog repeller while walking your dog would only serve to upset your own dog? As for with the horse..i don't know but i assume it too would be upset.

I would work more on your dogs reactions and be sure to use your voice to tell people your dog is nervous and yell to them to call their dogs..if they don't then yell at the dog cause someone needs to.
 

Littlebear

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Surely a dog repeller while walking your dog would only serve to upset your own dog? As for with the horse..i don't know but i assume it too would be upset.

I would work more on your dogs reactions and be sure to use your voice to tell people your dog is nervous and yell to them to call their dogs..if they don't then yell at the dog cause someone needs to.

Surely a dog repeller while walking your dog would only serve to upset your own dog? As for with the horse..i don't know but i assume it

I would work more on your dogs reactions and be sure to use your voice to tell people your dog is nervous and yell to them to call their dogs..if they don't then yell at the dog cause someone needs to.

Unfortunately not quite so easy, we had one unfortunate incident where a loose Rottweiler attacked us, the owner was nowhere to be seen and I was absolutely powerless to that dog, we both came away with minor injuries but it could have been a lot worse. Since then my dog gets very upset when other dogs run up and she’s on the lead, sometimes the owners are hundreds of feet away and on their phone and no amount of shouting helps them get their dog away from mine.
When you say work on my dogs reactions what am I to do?
I walk them every day and the reactions vary but this happens so often and the dog has become very defensive now.
I would love for people to listen when I say call your dog back but they either can’t or are too distracted to even hear me!
 

Littlebear

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Also with regard to the horse my understanding is that their hz sound pick up is similar to humans and nowhere near dogs so wouldn’t pick up the noise. Not absolutely certain on that but will investigate!
 
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ycbm

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I used one when I was very sight impaired due to an operation. They work on some dogs but not others. I didn't have a dog myself and if the approaching dog is wanting to get to yours, I dont think they would do much. I'm in the big stick camp. I started using a stick for proprioception, but it came in really handy with the dogs as well. Some owners did more to keep them away, I could put it between the dog and me, and as a last resort tap the dog with it.

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Littlebear

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I used one when I was very sight impaired due to an operation. They work on some dogs but not others. I didn't have a dog myself and if the approaching dog is wanting to get to yours, I dont think they would do much. I'm in the big stick camp. I started using a stick for proprioception, but it came in really handy with the dogs as well. Some owners did more to keep them away, I could put it between the dog and me, and as a last resort tap the dog with it.

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Ok thanks for the reply that’s interesting that they don’t work on all dogs! Perhaps I’ll buy a hiking stick for the walks x
 

bonny

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I would have a schooling whip instead of a big stick. A big stick could actually injure the dogs. A schooling whip just stings. Plus it is lighter weight to carry. You can say it is to guide your dog.
Seriously, does anyone you know carry a schooling whip to guide their dog or to hit others ?
 

PapaverFollis

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Using a sonic dog repelled is just as likely to upset your dog as it is to upset the approaching dog! Giving your dog MORE negative associations with other dogs.

I would be aiming to walk in a different place where off lead dogs are less likely and everytime you see another dog, yours gets a tasty treat and then you head away from it.

Other people's out of control dogs are the worst though, so I sympathise. If you can see the owner I find a really loud and angry "call your effing dog" works quite well. But I'm very, very loud so it might not work for everyone. Other than that a big stick is probably the answer. I also teach my dogs a "get behind" cue which makes it easier to position myself between them and an incoming dog.

Ultimately the only thing you can rrally control is yourself and your dog though so I would start there.

But the dog repeller is a bad idea!
 

Red-1

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I have certainly used one from the back of a horse to get a dog off, and can vouch for its efficacy.

I have also carried one when walking regularly past a nasty dog which had been known to escape. I would not like to injure the dog, so chose not to carry a big stick. I also said that the whip was a lightweight stick to guide my dog's head away from others as that seemed more socially acceptable than saying it was there to woop its ass.

It was a suggestion bonny, you don't have to do it yourself.
 

Littlebear

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Using a sonic dog repelled is just as likely to upset your dog as it is to upset the approaching dog! Giving your dog MORE negative associations with other dogs.

I would be aiming to walk in a different place where off lead dogs are less likely and everytime you see another dog, yours gets a tasty treat and then you head away from it.

Other people's out of control dogs are the worst though, so I sympathise. If you can see the owner I find a really loud and angry "call your effing dog" works quite well. But I'm very, very loud so it might not work for everyone. Other than that a big stick is probably the answer. I also teach my dogs a "get behind" cue which makes it easier to position myself between them and an incoming dog.

Ultimately the only thing you can rrally control is yourself and your dog though so I would start there.

But the dog repeller is a bad idea!
To be honest that’s what I was worried about. It was more in a moment there is a kerfuffle I can press and break it up if the owners are awol.
I have also considered going to the local training and seeing if they could help with getting mine less anxious about approaching dogs so perhaps that’s worth a try first also. But it’s quite unbelievable how many unruly dogs are allowed off the leads with no recall to cause havoc for others I am not sure having walked all over the place for years it’s avoidable anywhere x
 

Littlebear

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You are going to be repelling your own dog....

I did realise it would work on my own dog (I swear I’m not a total divvy honest!) but it was more the moment of them getting in a tangle and an argument it could stop ththem drama in that difficult situation.
But as someone else mentioned this may give my dog negative connotation towards dogs approaching which I have considered.
It just feels like a last resort in what’s become a bit of a pain and worry now when out walking.
 

PapaverFollis

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I think seeking advice from a trainer is a good idea. 🙂 I do sympathise about other people's dogs, it's a bloody pain, but given that they seem to be a feature of life if you can help your dog have a better/calmer emotional reaction to them you help make his little life less stressful too. Even if you manage to fend the other dogs off, your dog will still get stressed on them approaching unless you actively work to change that.

It's hard but worth trying.
 

Littlebear

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I think seeking advice from a trainer is a good idea. 🙂 I do sympathise about other people's dogs, it's a bloody pain, but given that they seem to be a feature of life if you can help your dog have a better/calmer emotional reaction to them you help make his little life less stressful too. Even if you manage to fend the other dogs off, your dog will still get stressed on them approaching unless you actively work to change that.

It's hard but worth trying.
Yes thank you.
We are fortunate to have an amazing place near us that we used when they were pups to teach them to socialise, recall (and a bit of agility) so maybe back to sq one x
 

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I just pick up my nasty aggressive little terrier for his own and everyone else’s safety 🙄 He is a little sod with no sense of self preservation whatsoever 😳

Luckily the four others I walk at the same time are considerably better behaved 😂
 

Littlebear

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I just pick up my nasty aggressive little terrier for his own and everyone else’s safety 🙄 He is a little sod with no sense of self preservation whatsoever 😳

Oh no :oops: mine isn't horrendous but it seems that some provoke a response and some dont, when we got attacked i had to pick her up to save her and we both got mauled! (i only had her with me at that time) but i have 2 so not so easy to pick up 2 antagonised dogs at the same time :( To be fair the other one is pretty good, calm and hasn't really had any bad experiences, its such a shame how bad this one has been affected she is so sweet natured but can really panic sometimes and has lashed out a few times, almost like i am gonna get you before you get me, if people didn't let their dogs run up to other peoples on leads life would be sooo much easier!
 

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Oh yes, that’s a real bugbear of mine - particularly since my other four are greyhounds and lurchers so not exactly small dogs in a ‘confrontational’ situation!

George terrierist can’t help himself bless him, 11 years of apparently no training means he has a few glitches to iron out 😄
 

Littlebear

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Oh yes, that’s a real bugbear of mine - particularly since my other four are greyhounds and lurchers so not exactly small dogs in a ‘confrontational’ situation!

George terrierist can’t help himself bless him, 11 years of apparently no training means he has a few glitches to iron out 😄

Good luck with that! You must be much more experienced than me with all those dogs.
I wish I knew dogs like I know horses I would be in a better position to know what to do, my first ever dog is now 10 the second one is 4 and they’re my only experience! Keep chipping away I guess!
 

eatmyshorts

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When i'm walking my reactive dog (who is always muzzled & always onleash, with a Do Not Pet harness, & a yellow Give Me Space bandana, yet people still allow their dogs to charge him & ask if they can pet him), i carry a tennis ball launcher, without a tennis ball - it's a big stick in disguise! It has come in useful more than once to protect my dog - i've never physically hit a dog, but i've placed it between them, & banged it on the ground to frighten a dog off.
 

Littlebear

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When i'm walking my reactive dog (who is always muzzled & always onleash, with a Do Not Pet harness, & a yellow Give Me Space bandana, yet people still allow their dogs to charge him & ask if they can pet him), i carry a tennis ball launcher, without a tennis ball - it's a big stick in disguise! It has come in useful more than once to protect my dog - i've never physically hit a dog, but i've placed it between them, & banged it on the ground to frighten a dog off.

Great idea, thanks :)
 

yhanni

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You can buy a spray on Amazon called K9 something or another & it's smells strongly of cloves. Apparently the police use it. I have one & wouldn't think twice about spraying it towards any dog approaching with evil intent! Or person for that matter ....
 

Littlebear

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You can buy a spray on Amazon called K9 something or another & it's smells strongly of cloves. Apparently the police use it. I have one & wouldn't think twice about spraying it towards any dog approaching with evil intent! Or person for that matter ....
That’s interesting will look into that thank you! X
 

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That’s interesting will look into that thank you! X

I admit my coordination is poor but I would be just as likely (in fact more likely!) to spray my own dog. I would carry a walking stick, I have a nice thumb stick and I have absolutely no compunction about kicking or hitting other peoples dogs. I would also kick or hit the owner if necessary and they tend to pick up on that vibe. To be fair I rarely see another dog but actually yesterday a lab dog turned up at a gallop out of nowhere (we were on our own land, not a footpath) and I gave him a mighty send on his way with my welly. His owner was calling him and it made him much more attentive to her.
If you get attacked by the rottie again although it is incredibly distressing, do try to get their photo (owner and dog!), it is best to get it reported.
 

Littlebear

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I admit my coordination is poor but I would be just as likely (in fact more likely!) to spray my own dog. I would carry a walking stick, I have a nice thumb stick and I have absolutely no compunction about kicking or hitting other peoples dogs. I would also kick or hit the owner if necessary and they tend to pick up on that vibe. To be fair I rarely see another dog but actually yesterday a lab dog turned up at a gallop out of nowhere (we were on our own land, not a footpath) and I gave him a mighty send on his way with my welly. His owner was calling him and it made him much more attentive to her.
If you get attacked by the rottie again although it is incredibly distressing, do try to get their photo (owner and dog!), it is best to get it reported.
Yes thanks, I admit I could be much more assertive!
I don’t walk the same route where that happened any more but in all honesty at that time when that happened by the time the owner finally appeared to retrieve the dog I was crying, shaking and totally unaware how much damage exactly had happened to me or my dog, my coat was ripped and my arms were cut and I could see blood on my dog and my mind was in panic trying to see what injuries my dog had, I was so upset and the owner just took the dog and walked away saying nothing at all even though they could see the damage that had been done it was truly shocking, so many things I should have done in hindsight but when you’re panicking and trying to save yourself and your dog your mind doesn’t always think straight :(
 

Clodagh

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I don’t walk the same route where that happened any more but in all honesty at that time when that happened by the time the owner finally appeared to retrieve the dog I was crying, shaking and totally unaware how much damage exactly had happened to me or my dog, my coat was ripped and my arms were cut and I could see blood on my dog and my mind was in panic trying to see what injuries my dog had, I was so upset and the owner just took the dog and walked away saying nothing at all even though they could see the damage that had been done it was truly shocking, so many things I should have done in hindsight but when you’re panicking and trying to save yourself and your dog your mind doesn’t always think straight :(

I completely understand. Hindsight is never wrong! And it is easy to plan what you would do in a situation and then it all goes to pot in reality. Poor little dog.
 

Keith_Beef

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Somewhere, I have the electronic plans for building one of these devices (from my teenage days when I was very much into electronics and computing).

I remember there being very specific warnings that there is no guarantee that it will drive a dog away, and may well make a dog even more aggressive.

There was also another warning, especially for Americans, that in some states and counties the device could be considered "infernal apparatus" and its use illegal.
 
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