Stray dogs, are they dangerous?

[catman20]

They can be aggressive and they can bite. Keep away from them and always have a rock or a stick or something in case one wants to have a go at you.

They are a pest.

The girls? Or the dogs? Couldn't resist

both I couldn't resist either

[davidst01]

keep a packet of dog treats in your pocket. Dogs have good memories. they will befriend you quickly using this method if you are nice to them

[ChrisKC]

There are lots of stray dogs and temple dogs in Thailand. Come to live in Thailand; it is quite rare to be attacked by any dog unless they are provoked or inadvertently disturbed. Stay calm. Ignore them, turn your back on them. Don't stare at them and don't raise your stick. Dogs bark and as the saying goes: 99% of the time it is worse than their bite. Don't take advice from Thais about dealing with stray dogs: they are the ones that make dogs more aggressive to everyone else.

I ride my bike nearly every day (for 3 years around Khon Kaen) and though I was bitten once 3 years ago (in Udon) I have had little bother for ten years.

[Si Thea01]

Most stray dogs I avoid, that is, I do not give them any eye contact and just walk past them. You will find that with no eye contact they will take little if any notice of you. Also, if you are scared then dogs sense this and it could well explain their behaviour around you. Another thing, just because a dog wags his tail when near you, it does not mean he is being friendly, if you don't know the animal, stay clear. I have yet to find any dogs, where I live in Issan, to growl or act aggressively toward me with most sleeping during the day, however, they are active, first thing in the morning and in the evening. Yes, they can have rabies, ticks and fleas, it depends on the owners as to whether or not they have their dogs inoculated and protected against the other pests.

[hugh2121]

The dogs are not dangerous. Leave them alone and they will not bother you. I have encountered hundreds, sadly, since moving to Thailand and have adopted 4 of them. All they want is food, water and to be left in peace.

[1FinickyOne]

Yes, there is good and bad everywhere and yes, stray dogs and even owned dogs can be a legitimate problem.

Better than bending down to pick up a rock is pretending you have a slingshot and pulling back the trigger.... but this does not really solve the problem either. You want to be able to walk un-accosted. I have come to mostly know the stray dogs near my house and my dogs love to accompany me on walks but this is an issue for me too.

I understand the dogs are just protecting their property.

I have limited my walking in the village but do walk quite a bit in the nearby small city. That is a pleasure.

You will adjust somewhat to the heat - though hot hot season might be a time to venture other places. Don't let a few annoyances spoil all of your other fun in Thailand - everyplace will have some issues.

good luck,

[kingstonkid]

Keith

The bottom ine is that just like back in England i am sure you did not get friendly with stray dogs you should not here.

Some of them will attack if they feel they or in the case of females their brood are threatened.

The trick is simple. If they start to growl walk away backwards do not take your eyes off them

[Roomuck]

Khon Kaen borders Sakon Nakhon. Maybe you should try there instead, if dogs worry you then that is the place to be.

[Stevemercer]

If you do get bitten (unlikely) make sure you get rabies shots. Your girlfriend should be able to take you to the hospital and arrange what is needed. Having said this, just about all the doges you will see are all bark and no bite. Those that do bite are usually poisoned or killed by someone sooner or later.

[jacky54]

Try this.....when the dog barks at you and is threatening....bend down as if you are picking up a rock, works every time, off they run.

Unless there are more than 3 of them or they have rabies as in Korat. Dogs are a big problem here and Thailand will always look like a third world country until something is done about it. Anyone ever been to a 7/11 without soi dogs outside?

[jacky54]

Try this.....when the dog barks at you and is threatening....bend down as if you are picking up a rock, works every time, off they run.

Unless there are more than 3 of them or they have rabies as in Korat. Dogs are a big problem here and Thailand will always look like a third world country until something is done about it. Anyone ever been to a 7/11 without soi dogs outside?

[sawadee1947]

yes you are right. Stray dogs are dangerous. No vaccination at all. And also they are aggressive. I'm afraid too though I got a big dog in our family.

[ChrisKC]

Try this.....when the dog barks at you and is threatening....bend down as if you are picking up a rock, works every time, off they run.

Unless there are more than 3 of them or they have rabies as in Korat. Dogs are a big problem here and Thailand will always look like a third world country until something is done about it. Anyone ever been to a 7/11 without soi dogs outside?

It is NOT good advice to threaten a dog. It is unnecessarily provocative and serves only to reinforce their fear (often justified from their experience of some simple-minded humans) and they reserve the right to defend themselves. When they bark it is a warning that IF you threaten them they will bark more and may even attack you. In my experience, which is considerable, staying calm and ignoring them relieves their potential for aggression.

[wabothai]

No problem most of the time.

Carry pepperspray (illegal but....) just in case you have to protect your life. Dogs can kill.

For bikers: get your hands on the spray. Many dogs don't like moving legs.

[SOTIRIOS]

,,,sad to say....

...no matter how much we want to wish...or pretend......

..it is a reflection of the general state of affairs here....

...some may tell you otherwise...but...the dogs...and myriad other reasons...

...you can pay...in various forms...to stay...but....never belong.....

[technologybytes]

I find most dogs to be friendly, the ones that bark and look like they are going to chase me always back down if I face them and show them I am not afraid.

Dogs instinctively know who is a threat, they also interpret fear as a threat.

[jacky54]

good thing they can't suss out poison though, or there would be even more of the damn things

[ChrisKC]

good thing they can't suss out poison though, or there would be even more of the damn things

How Nice!! I prefer to offer the hand of friendship.

[jacky54]

I would prefer they were all put down, soi dogs are vermin one step above rats, snakes and mice.

[ChrisKC]

I would prefer they were all put down, soi dogs are vermin one step above rats, snakes and mice.

Thank goodness this is only your opinion.

[little mary sunshine]

Less dangerous than driving .

[jerome2]

At night in the country they are dangerous specialy in groups ... but by day not ... give food you'll be suspected of poison them as it is very common

pick up sthin usualy works ...if you got the stone try pick up first ...they could be offended to be shot at without the proper warning

[Robm579]

I don't think Thai dogs are racist ...

I've lived in Thailand getting on 4 years now ..in the village in Issan and now in Chaing mai...

There's a lot of dogs ... If a dog was a "biter" it would not be tolerated here as much as anywhere else ... They are territorial though and just doing their job really ... A stick will probably make you feel more secure though ..., I confront and growl back ... Like Thai men ... They usually run for cover....

Heat ... No you don't get used to it ... Well maybe a bit... But you do get used to being hot and sweaty ...and 4 showers a day and changes of clothes...

Mad dogs and Englishman go out in the midday sun.... Prudent observation from Noel coward ...when it's hot you stay inside...or at least in the shade ... Like the Thais do...

I'm 62 and wouldn't go back to uk ... Don't miss much at all...

[Andyfez]

Dogs are dogs, people are people. They attack anyone if the mood takes them.

I am always cautious on the motorbike, and carry a stick if I am out at night in the village.

The stupid brutes sleep in the middle of the roads in the village......

As far as your other points, I relate to your comments about 'active life'.

Many people on this forum are happy to live in their villages.

I tried it, and failed.

I love Thailand, and certainly don't plan to return to my original country. But went back for a 4 week vist last year.

Yes, I miss the sports, hiking and even the gardening.

Here in Thailand it's just too damn hot to do any of that.

Yes, we all bear the heat. The Thais included. But sitting in the aircon, replying to ThaiVisa posts is not something I like to spend all day doing.

Exercise is something as an older guy I feel I should be doing, but apart from swimming, I find most sports (including golf) just too damn hot.

Thailand is great, and I have no plans to leave, as I enjoy my lifestyle.

But think about your lifestyle when you get to your village near Khon Kaen.

It suits a lot of people, but not everyone.

Yours is a life-changing decision.

[mogandave]

Better ask Mogandave that question

Actually I think he was asking me, but I can understand how you might be confused.

[mogandave]

The best line of defence works most times for me is just to ignore them, don't stop walking, if they're directly in your path then walk slightly off your track, a pocket knife as earlier mentioned in my opinion is as good as a dog treat, firstly because it usually means you have to bend down to do anything with a pocket knife which is a big no no if dog is in attack mode,, in fact carrying a few dog treats in your pocket would be a much better form of defence against the stray dogs

Dog bites you and you give it a treat?

I generally ignore them, but I have a pocket knife and when I see them I put my hand in my pocket and get ready. If they bite or try to bite me (or my family) I will kill them have the Dr. check them for rabies.

Does your pocket knife have a screwdriver attachment or a tin opener?

No

[jacky54]

I would prefer they were all put down, soi dogs are vermin one step above rats, snakes and mice.

Thank goodness this is only your opinion.

You don't know Thais and Thailand very well if you think it's just my opinion, poison is the usual plan of action.

[ThaiFelix]

This is my experience. Been around dogs most of my life so I dont fear them, I like them and I respect them. As I dont fear them I dont really notice them and they leave me alone. Been here 13 years and never had a problem. Dogs sense fear and in the wild a frightened animal can react both ways...run away or strike out of fear. I knew a wimp yank who lived in same building as me who wouldnt leave the building if dogs were outside. He would wait for hours for them to leave or for someone to escort him, before going to work. They would growl and bark at him everytime.......because he was shit scared of all dogs. These same dogs I would walked by and they wouldnt even raise their heads from licking their dicks I have found that 99% of the time dogs ignore me but on private property thats a different matter. Be careful as they are protecting their masters property.

Carrying a stick or rock?....mmm be careful. Sometimes it works but sometimes it provokes them to attack because you are acting aggressively. I know its an easy thing to say but try to handle your fear of them. Good luck.

[Acharn]

Carry a pocket knife

Absurd. A stick is the best defensive weapon there is. Especially for dogs. Why would you want to get close enough to the animal to cut it? Even against a knife a stick is a far better defense than another knife. Of course, the recommended defense against a knife is your feet -- run as fast as you can.

[jonnyscot]

Correct, he was asking you mogandave, which is why I advised him since he attached my name to the quote,,, you sure are confused