Spray cans and bells in the paunch, I believe that was a joke.

Some people make the mistake of taking a dog with them in bear country, thinking the dog will save them. It is most discouraging to have the dog provoke the bear into a fight, then go running past you when the bear's had enough and decides to engage and give chase. (Doh!!!)

Maybe a good defense would be to subdue a porcupine, pour warm bacon grease on him (not too hot now), stuff him in a sling, and if a bear comes around, lob the quilled critter at him. That should keep him busy for a while. (Just kidding, folks)

One problem with pepper spray is that it wears off, and you run out eventually. IIRC there was a couple that were stalked by a bear that they'd peppered a couple times till they'd run out of juice, then the bear closed on them and attacked. I believe one of them was killed by the bear, but the other escaped.