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An immediate solution, yes. I do not believe you have to strike back at an on coming dog with something that may hurt it or cause it suffering. You 'usually' only need something that would distract it from what it is doing. A squirt of water may offer the same distraction as pepper spray.

When our first potlicker adopted us (he was living at Ramons at the time) he would walk everywhere with us and yes he would snap at many people especially on bikes. We then started carrying around little rocks and when he started going at someone we would throw a rock near him (not at him) with a stern NO. That was enough of a distraction it would stop him in his tracks and eventually he stopped snapping at people. Maybe we were just lucky, who knows? But I think its worth a try than immediately resorting to painful methods.

I still often get chased by dogs on my golfcart (I think its because my dogs insist on marking my wheels). When this happens I usually slow down and tell the dog NO. They usually go on their merry way once they realize I'm no fun to chase.

Every time I read posts like this one and the one dealing with dog poisoning, I can't help but think of all of the other posts that ask how does a person get their dog on the island. The island does not need any "new" dogs. Solve the propblems with the ones that are there first. And to reply, "I wouldn't go anywhere without my beloved Fluffy....." is selfish.

I hardly think responsible pet owners are the problem, Bing. People who love their dogs get them fixed, get them their shots and don't let them eat the neighbors. I will be staying in San Pedro for four months next year and my dog will be coming with me. And home with me. I agree with the others, a little dog psychology can go a long way.

Bing, Bubbas gona kick yo butt! :-)

I have never found guard dogs to be a problem, they know their place. The people I know on AC with pets have NEVER been a problem. The people walking their dogs on the beach in front of our place have never been a problem. I think the problem is the owners on the island that have 4 or 5 or (I have seen as many as 6) dogs in their complex with no supervision or love or affection or , for that matter any human contact whatsoever. Then when, accidentally or not, they get loose and the "pack mentality" takes over and problems arise.

I have never understood the mentality of a person that takes on an animal for their own personal gratification. I.E. the kids that walk the Pit Bulls on a leash and can hardly hold on under the strain, or on the other end of the spectrum, the person that has a $5,000 dog that they put in the dog show and then in the kennel. The animals IMHO that we have as pets are our friends, our confidants, our source of amusement, our listeners, and, most importantly, a part of our family.

The recent poisonings of the dogs on the island sickens me more than anyone can know, concurrently, the people that have "pets" that are not loved or cared for is equally disturbing.