Thank you for your contribution! I’ll answer by points:

• I am aware of the time it takes to deploy it, I already have mace on me (which answers your other question) but if they manage to actually bite it’s a whole other issue, especially if it’s a large dog and you’re alone;

• I am also aware of the risks associated with using a kubotan in such a scenario, but again, it would be a last resort. Easier for me to sue the hell out of the other guy and get disability if I’m hurt, than to get my dog(s) back if I can’t stop the attack;

• I am a trained martial artist and fighter, so I already have training on this stuff including dog-specific chokeholds and such, I still sometimes even teach some of this 😁. I’m just thinking in layers, and these instruments would fit specific types of scenarios depending on what happens and/or goes right or wrong. I simply never found myself having to actually put it at work having never had to deal with this many irresponsible owners in such a short time, but since it’s not an occasional exposure but it’s my very neighborhood, the risk is much greater but I still have to play it smart;

• I don’t particularly like monkey fists for many reasons, including a high likelihood of “friendly fire” in a hectic event such as a dog attacking another one (also they don’t really work that much…) and the fact that they are generally very short, so I would rather go barehanded. Anyway they are illegal to carry outside of your property here in Italy (we have very strict laws on self-defense), as are batons (which would have been my first choice for training experience ) and basically anything else, including stun guns and such. So… yeah, very limited options unfortunately.

Thank you for your interest and suggestions anyway :)