I have recently started running to train for a half-marathon in December. Finances are a bit tight, therefore I do not have a gym membership nor do I have a treadmill at home. Anyway, I was chased by a loose dog (with a collar) the other day! I ignored it and made sure not to make any eye contact and went on running at the same pace but it chased me for roughly 50+ yds. Let me tell you my heart rate was through the roof and the hair on the back of my neck was standing.

I've since ran that same route and did not have any problems but I also now notice people carry clubs (!). My neighbor said she was almost attacked twice while walking her dog.

Should I carry something? I wouldn't know what to do with a club if attacked. What are my alternatives?

I'd consider carrying a small can of mace if really worried, a club seems overboard to me!

A cheap easy way to guard against dogs (and nonlethal too) is just carry either a water bottle, or a squirt gun full of vinegar. Believe me, if you hit anywhere near a dog's face with vinegar it'll drop him like a rock and he won't wanna have anything to do with you. And the best part is the dog is unharmed (other than his pride).

This is a really good advice and should be followed. I liked it, Thanks dude!
http://www.pppcm.com/138l1417.jpg

A spray bottle and mace will pretty much give you a light mist that can come back at you.

I would recomend a Kimber pepper blaster.
www.pepperblaster.com/
It is made by kimber fire arms and delivers a dense pepper laden foam at 90 mph... and you have a second shot if you need it.

You can carry it in a pouch on your belt line that looks like a PDA or cell phone.

This would be a much better choice for dogs or a mugger.

I also carry a benchmade spring assist knife just to be on the safe side. I always have to cut open boxes, and had to cut someones seat belt after an accident once so I always try to have a knife on me. I choose spring assist too add some speed if I am attacked.

I know this is a bit of an odd first post but I strongly belive in taking safety seriously.

Nice exchange of information, everyone!

While self protection and defense are slightly off our topic, I'd submit that they're only slightly off topic. I applaud all of you for desiring to be safe...it's what got me into martial arts in the first place!

I'd like to refer you to another web source which I believe can give practical tips and information on this area. The site is run by a man named Alex Haddox and he's spent most of his life training and teaching self defense and protection. His site maintains downloadable podcasts and you should find them quite helpful. Here's the link: www.alexhaddox.com/index.php?p=3

You can also search for Practical Defense podcast on iTunes and download them there. Alex doesn't charge for this information so I believe we avoid spamming concerns (many of you know I'm pretty dogmatic about that). Please let me know if you find them useful. Maybe Alex can give us a call-out on his weekly podcast if we get enough people interested.

Sparta-bound,

Kevin