Pepper Spray to Defend from a Dog?

Story Time: I had to draw my pepper spray this morning for the first time.

This morning before leaving the house I thought, “this German Shepherd is enough of a deterrent, I’ll just leave my tools at home this morning, it’s just a short jog.” I’m so glad that didn’t sit right with me. I threw on my gun and pepper spray just before heading out for our short jog.

I’m dog sitting for a friend while they’re out of town, and this doggo needs a good run every morning. I keep my distance from other dogs because I know she doesn’t do very well with them. She is a rescue, and while she is an amazing dog, she just doesn’t like other dogs for whatever reason.

We got to the end of our run and slowed down to a walk about 4 houses down from mine. Before I knew it, a stray dog was crossing the street toward us with a big bark. He didn’t seem like he meant any harm, but I knew the dog I had was not going to take kindly to any dog approaching us, let alone this dog. I don’t know breeds very well, but I believe he was an English Mastiff (based off my Google search). He got close, and the angry dog barks, teeth and snarls began. My pepper spray came out, and the safety was defeated, but nobody was biting anyone, and we still had the opportunity to run. So with my thumb ready to use my POM, her I took off running to my house. She protested my running at first, but once there was about 20ish feet of distance she ran alongside me. He trailed us, but with enough distance that I had time to unlock my front door before he got to us again.

I know a lot of people don’t see a reason to carry pepper spray, but this was a clear reminder to me why I carry a less lethal tool.

**Warning: Know the laws in your area for the tools you’re carrying**