Harmless Canine ?

[Mongo Slade]

I'd like to share with you, my first night in Hua Hin. My g/f set me up at the Royal Navy Hotel (can't remember the Thai name) NA Vee Phirim or something like that. We checked in late and she had to be at work early the next day, so left me there and said that she would be back at noon, the next day.

I'm thinking, to hell with this I'm going out somewhere tonight, if only for a short walk. It had just finished raining around 10:45 pm, so off I went. I didn't have clue as to where the night market was, but I was determined to find it.

I left the hotel and started walking down the street. I walked past this Thai gentleman and he spoke to me in english and asked " where are you going ? " I must have looked a bit out place. I said the night market. He said do you know how to get there and I said, i'm not sure. He offered me a lift in his jeep. I was a bit wary, but I got in anyway. I was careful to look at landmarks because I knew I would be walking back to the hotel. To make a long story short, he dropped me off and asked if I was OK and I said yes, no problem.

There was hardly anyone around the few stands that were open were closing, I guess because of the rain and the hour. I'm standing there like a fish out of water. I said to myself, now what you dumb shit : Now you have to find your way back!

So I started back tracking, ah ha this looks familier, I reconize that street. I said Mongo you're doing good and thats when I turned the corner and a wee dog started barking, and then another and then another. Before I realized it a pack mangey critters where nipping at my heels ,literally. Scared the living shit out of me. I took off my baseball cap and started swinging for dear life. I didn't want to get bitten by any of of those creatures......lock jaw and who knows what else for sure. The harder I swung the more aggresive they became. It was just a matter of time before one them would bite me, out of the corner my eye I spotted this old Thai woman. She saw that I had a problem, she shouted in Thai at the dogs and one by one they backed off. She really saved my ass. I thought I was out of the woods, no I wasn't. The other dogs to come that where blocking my path to the hotel must have gotten the word or bark somehow. I'm walking in the middle of the street mind you and these freakin dogs are coming out of nowhere to f_ _ k with me. I'm really scared now, and just as was about to do the one hundred yard dash a guy on a motor bike said hop on and I did just that. He took me the rest of the way back to the hotel.

I was never so happy, as I was then, to get back to my room. Everytime I see dogs just lying around in the daytime just basking in the sun, looking so harmless. I think of my first night in Hua Hin.

[Wanderlust]

Hi Mongo,
First of all i am glad you survived your scare safely. Secondly, I have no idea where this hotel you are talking about is - I have heard neither the english name nor anything close to the Thai name - can you give us a clue, such as a street name, a nearby store or a notable landmark? Third thing is that there are a lot of dogs, stray and otherwise in Hua Hin and Thailand, but I have never come across anything like you experienced - did you have some food on you, or do you often get this sort of attention from dogs? Also I am guessing that you have a fear of dogs, and from what i know they can sense this which will make things worse, especially if you are walking through 'their' patch - however if you walk boldly ahead without paying attention to them I have found they will leave you alone apart from a bit of barking. Very few dogs will attack people but they will tell you to go away by barking at you. Or maybe i'm just Dr Doolittle

[STEVE G]

Hi mongo,
I have a friend from Manchester who has a similar effect on street dogs when he’s in HH. I used to wait for him sitting outside the old Hogsbreath bar, when there would be a tremendous commotion down the street. He would emerge running at the head of a pack of slavering hounds from hell. Once in the bar we would watch as the 3 year old son of a motorcycle taxi driver would chase them back down the road beating them with a very small cane! My experience has been the same as Wanderlust, they growl at you but that’s it.

[MartinJ]

Its very rare for a dog to attack for no reason, unless there mad. But the food or smell of food is a good point.
They would normally just stand back a bark as nosily as they can, try not to look and just walk by. They will not normal follow unless you have something they want.
Running off is not a good plan and they will follow and now they will be playing with you.
I not had much been bothered with dogs in Hua Hin, but cats find we all the time. A day never went by with out a cat appearing at my feet.

[lomuamart]

An Aussie friend once told me the way to deal with the dog situation:
1. Click your tongue. Dunno why, but I think the curs are programmed to realise that a severe beating is on its way. This will noramlly get rid of most dogs.
2. Feign to pick a stone up and hurl it. That will also scatter a lot.
3. Act bigger than them and GROWL.
4. If any dog is left standing and looking mean at you, run!!
Although a bit of a joke if you do this, particularly the clicking of the tongue, most dogs will disappear.

[Mongo Slade]

Hi Wanderlust,
FYI, the english name is the Royal Thai Navy or Navyphirom and the link is[removed] I enjoyed a very pleasant stay there and was treated with dignity and respect by all of the staff. I also played golf with several of the officers there.

[Jaime]

An Aussie friend once told me the way to deal with the dog situation:
1. Click your tongue. Dunno why, but I think the curs are programmed to realise that a severe beating is on its way. This will noramlly get rid of most dogs.
2. Feign to pick a stone up and hurl it. That will also scatter a lot.
3. Act bigger than them and GROWL.
4. If any dog is left standing and looking mean at you, run!!
Although a bit of a joke if you do this, particularly the clicking of the tongue, most dogs will disappear.

I once tried rule no. 3 above. Unfortunately, the dog took it as a challenge and got even more aggressive, throwing itself forward with gnashing teeth. Surrounded by laughing Thais I took a step backwards and the dog, feeling it had the upper hand, lurched aggressively forward again. Another step back was met with another vicious lunge with snapping jaws. Another step back, more aggression from the dog. I had taken about half a dozen steps back before I realised that the dog was getting closer and more confident each time and that the next time I would surely get bitten. Thankfully I was wearing shoes rather than flip flops so as I took the next step back and the dog lurched forward I brought the toe of my foot swinging back swiftly forward and caught the dog right under the jaw. CRACK! The most satisfying sound I have ever heard. The dog immediately retreated, whimpering, beneath a bamboo table, from whence it was booted out by its owner and beaten away with a big stick.

I have since realised that actual violence is the best method of deterring dogs. I now always carry a large length of pipe from the house to the pool in order to bring down pre-emptive justice upon the heads of the local soi dogs.

[Mongo Slade]

Jaime
President Roosevelt used to say "speak softly and carry a big stick" you've taking it to next level. I even saw groups of dogs on the golf course while playing, if my ball would have sliced in their direction,I would have chaulked it up to a lost ball. Damn dogs are everyware All and all I still love Hua Hin

[Randy Cornhole]

I do a lot of cycling around Hua Hin and every time i'm out one or two will shoot out at me all wild of hair and eye. Normally i can out pace them but if there large buggers it takes a while. Ive never actually been bitten and think they are only seeing you off their territory. But a pocket full of stones is always a good deterrent. I was thinking of buying some pepper spray from the Grand Market, I think that may work?

[Guess]

Strange co-incidence that this post should come up today as I have a strange story to tell myself.

Firstly though on the original post, it looks like you have had most things answered. To summarise, dogs do sense fear in a human or any animal and act accordingly. They also have a very annoying habit of becoming aggressive with anybody who has a physical disability even if it is only slight.

You have to convincingly show them who is the superior being (even if that may not be the case). Unfortunately some people have difficulty doing that. At night or in remote areas when alone is is a good idea to carry a stick. If you are attacked by a pack do exactly the same that you would with humans. Pick the biggest ugliest one and smash it as hard as you can in the face. Whilst it is still reeling from the shock of the first blow hit it again on the side of the head. You will find that the dogs will disperse with the one you hit whimpering and trailing in the rear of their retreat. I have used this tactic on many occasions and once against a a fully grown Rottweiler.

One thing I have to add here is that under no circumstances should you become agressive with a dog that has not approached you. Nobody ever got hurt from being barked at.

Any my own dog story. I have little dog who hardly ever barks and is never aggressive until recently. He is treated well and spends nearly all his time at home without mixing with other dogs. We often get visits from guys selling watches. He takes particular offence to them even though they are normal looking people. He has bitten one already and attacked another today.

He must somehow sense that these guys are not wanted.

We have a deaf and dumb guy around most days who sells little flashy light things for children. He does not give him any problems at all. He is also friendly with the flower girls.

[Toni]

Having spent nine years of my working life pounding the streets delivering mail, I've had more than a few scrapes with our canine friends. I always found a good, hard boot in any part of their body is a pretty effective way of sending most aggressive dogs on their way, although I wouldn't imagine a flip flop inflicts quite the same pain as a Royal Mail standard issue Doc Marten!

[maipenrai]

I have been walking around and over Soi dogs for years, and never had any problems until last month in Chiang Mai...I was walking from my hotel, the Queen Victoria, towards the Thapae Gate, and passing by a small bar area on the way...suddenly two local curs took after me, and wouldn't give up...they chased me along for about 50-75m or so, and were getting closer and closer...of course, no weapon at hand....finally, some Thai guy came out and called them off... I am no stranger to aggressive dogs, having worked yard to yard with a utility company for many years, but I always had on big boots and sharp tools if I needed them... I felt very defenceless that night in CM, and thankfully it never happened again.

[ajarnfrank]

Okay, a Hua Hin dog story, here goes.

Last December, I was walking the beach at low tide, north from Khao Takiab. Just walking near the water's edge, not bothering anybody, no weapon on me. Out of some palatial residence with open gate comes this adult boxer dog with a muzzle, who rushes out like a mad dog and bites me on the lower leg, muzzle and all! I chased him onto the grounds and a nice caretaker took me to the Red Cross, after I told her in a rage that the Lord Buddha hated the dog and its owner. At the Red Cross, I got tetanus and rabies shots, wound properly dressed, etc. The caretaker paid for everything, the whole series of shots! After a couple of weeks I just called her and she assured me the dog was still alive, so I discontinued the rabies shots.

About a few days later, walking along the beachfront wall near Khao Takiab, a small, unleashed poodle began barking at me. I decided that if it bit me, I would pick it up at whatever peril, bash its head against the wall until its skull was totally caved in, and then collapse hysterically. Fortunately, it didn't charge at me.

From what I can tell, Thais don't kill dogs, even rabid dogs. They don't even take mad dogs to the vet to see if they're rabid. I cannot agree with that philosophy.

[Burger]

ajarnfrank wrote

About a few days later, walking along the beachfront wall near Khao Takiab, a small, unleashed poodle began barking at me. I decided that if it bit me, I would pick it up at whatever peril, bash its head against the wall until its skull was totally caved in

I would think that type of mild punishment would deter the dog from being aggressive towards other people in the future Frank

Don't attempt it with the Khao Takiab monkeys though, I stupidly pulled one of their tail's once to get it's attention, it nearly took me bleedin' hand orf.


Burger

[playboy]

Hello all;

Dog's story I like to share with you all too. Last October I was in Hua Hin and went to Royal Dog refuge not too far from the elephant village,to donnate some dog foods. It was in the evening around 5.30 pm, there was no one there in the office or out side the gate. So I stood outside the fence while more than a hundread of dog barking and some jumping out the fence to me and my wife. I kept myself cool while my mother in laws which was in the car watched scaringly. I decided to open the gate to let me in so I can bring the food to the front office. Then a hundread of dogs came around me. Some will bark some not, I was a little bite scare but tried to keep myself cool. I tried to think that I came in a good faith and good intention. I started say soft words and talked to the dog to make them cool down too. Of course some dogs still kept barking. While doing that I also took all the dog food bag by bag in to front office which is about 50-75 meter from the gate.
When I finished I reclosed the gate and get back into my car. My mind told me that if I do not hard anyone and have a good intention, no one should hard me.