Trick to getting a dog to release?

TomJr · Postby **TomJr** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 7:14 am

I ran into a problem yesterday, or I should say the problem ran into one of my dogs. A dog got loose from its owner and ran up into our driveway and attacked one of my dogs when he went to sniff its butt. I was working on my tractor so the owner beat me to the dogs and was attempting to get her dog to let go of mine, very ineffectually I might add. Her dog was completely untrained and she seemed to think it was her child...

Here is my question: I heard about a way to get a catch type dog to release its bite by pressing its lips at the corner of the mouth into the teeth hard until it releases. Does this work? Yesterday I was going to try it but when I pulled out my multi-tool (sure was not going to use my fingers!) And said "I know how to get her to let go!" The young lady suddenly started to protest NO! NO! etc. and her dog released.(so it worked... after a fashion). I think she though I was going to hurt her "poor dog"... she didn't seem to care that her dog was latched onto mine (mine was just standing there waiting for me to help him).

I ask because this could happen again... more and more people are using the forest these days and its only going to increase. I live in a fairly remote area but we have a trail-head 100 yards from our property and the forest service in their great wisdom put the trail around our property very close to the fence 20 feet in one spot and with the washouts from the fire in another spot its less now than 10 feet. Its better than it used to be when the road went through 30+ years ago, but we didn't see people but once a month back then... The road washed out and we didn't let the forest service put it back in so they built a parking area below our house and a trail around.

mr.c · Postby **mr.c** » Thu Mar 12, 2015 10:30 pm

Blow in there ear very hard

TomJr · Postby **TomJr** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:52 pm

brantpalmer · Postby **brantpalmer** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 1:39 am

You won't find me with my face that close to the business end of a dog fight. Sounds like a good way to get your face bit off by a strange aggressive dog. If all else fails, you can choke them until they pass out and release. I don't show a lot of mercy to dogs that attack my dogs.

Hydro1 · Postby **Hydro1** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 2:09 am

raisinriver · Postby **raisinriver** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:17 am

We have always blown in there ear the dogs always release never had a problem some dogs you can beat to death and won't release and as far as lifting a dog by the back legs it might work if you had a small short dog not a big hound that weight 80 pounds and by the time you find a stick it could be to late

Mike gagne
Raisinriver kennels

TomJr · Postby **TomJr** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:59 am

The first thing I did when I got there was lift the attacking dog up by its back legs that didn't work. The attacking dog was a Lab looking dog about 80ish lbs. the way it was latched on it must have had some pit in it.... I then hit it hard in the side with my fist and got a dirty look from the young lady... Her husband arrived right about then with another dog that stayed back. That's when I pulled out the multi-tool and they yelled NO! NO! etc. and it released. There was nothing else within easy reach for prying, I did have gloves on since I had been working.

I wonder if pinching an ear with the multi-tool would work?

When I am out on the trail I usually carry an old beat up 30-30, could use that to pry with or if all else fails (BANG) problem solved... but then I might have to talk to the police for shooting "FLuffy" :roll:

Emily · Postby **Emily** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 3:11 pm

If you know the dog its one thing. If you don't know the dog, you really don't want your arm in there where it can release your dog then whip around and latch onto your arm. A booted foot and a swift kick usually works--you want the dog to gasp for air, and the boot protects you.
Also, if you have anything handy with which to make a really loud noise--you want to create a distraction that will get the aggressor to release even slightly so the victim can free itself.

One technique that usually works when your own dog has dead game it won't let go of is to pinch the flap of skin just in front of a hind leg. This distracts the dog into looking back to see what's going on, and it usually releases the fur in the process. But, I wouldn't try this in the middle of a dog fight where one dog lets go and the other might latch on, or both might latch onto you. Nonetheless, you might try something like that with the multitool pliers if you're desperate and have on a coat with a thick sleeve.

Sounds like you need to post a sign in the trailhead parking area asking people to leash their dogs until they are past your property and dogs. Most organized hiking groups will cooperate by informing their members of neighboring dogs in their trail guide info. They want the goodwill of neighboring landowners. Google the trail name and see if you can find an online site where information about trail conditions is posted.

mr.c · Postby **mr.c** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 5:53 pm

I have used same way to get dog to release for fifty years it works blow in ear it works.When you do this you have to get a good grip on dogs collar if some person is ther have them help .By chocking them till they pass out it more then likely will be to late for the other dog .I coon hunted for year when you shoot coon out the first thing the dog does is latch on to coon to release I blow in ear it works every time. I would say to save my dog I will do this first it takes one second if you have not tried this you would think it would be risky we take risks every day hunting .

TomJr · Postby **TomJr** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 6:34 pm

Emily there are signs... they ignore them or think they are special somehow. I hit the dog hard enough that it hurt my hand so I know it felt it... My own dogs are trained to drop anything they have on command and do so without hesitation so I don't have much experience with a dog that will not let go.

I have some useful ideas from everyone please keep them coming. I do like the blow in ear thing (I will have a good grip on the dogs collar with gloves on, always carry gloves while out hunting.) What may work for one dog may not work for another so many different ideas are helpful. I will start with the less extreme options and go from there ending in shooting the dog if it comes to that and damn the consequences! Personally I think people should keep a dog like that at home or cull it.

My dog will be ok it was on his shoulder so not a lethal location for a bite. I can tell he is a bit sore and keeps coming up to me so I can doctor it, its right where he can't reach it to lick and keep clean himself. It seemed like the other dog was latched on for 5 minutes but was likely less...

Hydro1 · Postby **Hydro1** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 9:42 pm

Dog fights always seem to last so much longer then they do. Glad to hear your dog seems pretty well happy and healthy.
I always have a multitool with me, might have to give the pinch a try next time my dog is attacked. Happens about once a month unfortunately.

mr.c · Postby **mr.c** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:14 pm

Some people keep a hot shot cow prod in truck for dogs that don't get along in box that settle them down .

mark · Postby **mark** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 11:07 pm

Get you a Rottweiler,Doberman,and a Pitt and you wont have to know any of the above methods but the hikers may want to study up on them.

TomJr · Postby **TomJr** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 5:18 pm

mulehound · Postby **mulehound** » Sun Mar 15, 2015 11:45 pm

Get a hold of them blow in their ear works every time.
Darrel