I'm posting because I feel like an idiot, but I just never know what to do in a situation I run into a lot. Most of the time when you run into the same problem, best bet is to just avoid it. This is a little different. My wife and I go for little walks / hikes every day or so for about two to three miles. On almost a bi-weekly basis I end up with a dog (never really the same dog) running at us, growling and barking, staying 6 or so feet from us. We have altered time of day, routes, etc. Comes dow to if you walk around here, you run into this situation from time to time.
The little dogs that I can punt I am fine with, but last night had a pitbull get about 4 feet from me. Plenty of nice pitbulls out there, but this one was not a friendly one last night.
I unholstered my standard / full size glock, aimed down, finger was not on trigger. Owner came out of garage to get dog, but was then shocked by my firearm. I apologised as I was walking away, but also stated that, "Sorry to startle you, but I was sincerely intimidated. You just placed me in a bad situation, please get that dog on a leash." Or something like that. Owner was not aggressive, just acknowledged and told the dog, "get over here." as it stood it's ground 4 feet from where I had been.
I spent a lot of time woods carrying this winter while hiking, and my draw (something I practiced a lot this year) was almost subconscious. If I would have had this encounter in the woods, it would have been a dead 4 legged critter.
I had a moment of hesitation, and it is one of those moments that you know if it was the real deal, you would have made a mistake and been mauled. At the same time, a dead dog and a lot of paperwork and explaining was not how I wanted to spend my summer.
I was carring mace / pepper spray (whatever one is legal) last year. Think I'm going to start again and going to be more willing to spray. 4 feet is way to close for my comfort.
Here is the main point of the post. We train for a situation, but often learn taking action on the training can be a problem. How to you control this doubt that it is not the real deal, because it is the very thing a criminal (or even adog) would take advantage of. What comes after situational awareness and practice?
The little dogs that I can punt I am fine with, but last night had a pitbull get about 4 feet from me. Plenty of nice pitbulls out there, but this one was not a friendly one last night.
I unholstered my standard / full size glock, aimed down, finger was not on trigger. Owner came out of garage to get dog, but was then shocked by my firearm. I apologised as I was walking away, but also stated that, "Sorry to startle you, but I was sincerely intimidated. You just placed me in a bad situation, please get that dog on a leash." Or something like that. Owner was not aggressive, just acknowledged and told the dog, "get over here." as it stood it's ground 4 feet from where I had been.
I spent a lot of time woods carrying this winter while hiking, and my draw (something I practiced a lot this year) was almost subconscious. If I would have had this encounter in the woods, it would have been a dead 4 legged critter.
I had a moment of hesitation, and it is one of those moments that you know if it was the real deal, you would have made a mistake and been mauled. At the same time, a dead dog and a lot of paperwork and explaining was not how I wanted to spend my summer.
I was carring mace / pepper spray (whatever one is legal) last year. Think I'm going to start again and going to be more willing to spray. 4 feet is way to close for my comfort.
Here is the main point of the post. We train for a situation, but often learn taking action on the training can be a problem. How to you control this doubt that it is not the real deal, because it is the very thing a criminal (or even adog) would take advantage of. What comes after situational awareness and practice?