When walking your dog, how do you handle loose dogs you encounter?

Question

I have a German shepherd and a shepherd/rottweiler mix. My mixed breed dog is fairly aggressive toward other dogs (we're working on this). When I take her out for a walk, I occasionally encounter dogs running loose and it's a problem when they're determined to come up to her.

If the other dog doesn't behave aggressively, it's not a huge problem; but one day we encountered a husky type dog that had aggressive body language: tail up and stiff, hackles raised, direct eye contact and coming at us straight on. My dog went ballistic and I had a big problem on my hands.

I used to carry pepper spray, but I really prefer not to use this if I can avoid it. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Thanks for all the tips. I'm working on the obedience with my dog and I have no qualms about corrections when needed. I just have to learn to handle my own anxiety I've developed around walks with her.

Answer 1

you should say to the other dogs owner "your dog shouldnt be off his leash when he's aggressive" and see if there are no laws about dogs must be leashed..no one should let an aggressive dog do that..in this case youre working on your own dogs behaviors, and youre not at fault at all here.

anyway, i would work on your dogs recall even though he's leashed, he needs to have his attention directed back at you, not the dog going up to him. it's hard because like i said, not your dogs fault here.

and i have learned with my own aggressive puppy, positive reinforcement wont always work.("greekman" helped me with that 1.) Doesnt mean punishment or fear, but negative consequences.

Answer 2

Avoid all eye contact with the dog. That includes yourself and especially your dog! You should teach your dog the command - "Front" - where he sits facing you and look you in the eye. This will prevent your dog (and yourself) from looking the loose dog in the eyes (which may cause an attack). Make sure to avoid eye contact with the dog and try to move your dog in an opposite direction. There is also a product called 'direct stop' which is a very strong citronella based spray used to break up dog fights that doesn't hurt the dog at all (and can even be used indoors). You may want to carry this in addition to the pepper spray to use as a first method of breaking up / preventing a fight.

Answer 3

What I do is probably wrong, but if you stand your ground, face the dog, then walk towards them a bit in a dominant manner they usually run. If they happen to run up to you, saying SIT firmly with the hand command sometimes just causes them to sit from reflex too. I've never been surrounded by a pack of dogs, but this works with just one if you see it coming. If you don't see a dog coming so that you are able to intervene, then the pepper spray is a good idea.

Answer 4

My dog is agressive towards other dogs too (Akita/pitbull mix) and i have the same problem. so what i do when i encounter another dogs i just keep walking and try to ignore the other dog. but if you cant you can do what i do is buy a prong collar and and turn it inside out leaving the spikes sticking out to protect your dogs neck or buy a long thick leather collor that covers its whole neck so it wont get hurt. if your dog is bigger just let it fight and hope for the best. like i do

Answer 5

First, absolute, uncompromising obedience training in your dog and not the type that was taught with treats!!! You cannot worry about the other dog and yours at the same time, you need to be able to depend on your dog to follow a command to the letter.
Second, that pepper spray that you mentioned is a great idea..spray directly into the offending dog's nose/mouth area and walk away, it works, believe me!!!

Answer 6

I carry pepper spay with me all the time. I will not wait for the other dog to show any agression to my dogs or me. If there is no owner around for me to yell at the dogs gets sprayed.

My dogs are not agressive at all so I dont worry about dog on dog agression but my concern is the damage someone else dog can do to mine or me.

Carry the pepper spray.

Answer 7

I usually walk with some sort of "walking stick" it is just a broke off piece of a really strong fishing pole and if another dog comes toward me, I can fend it off myself or off my dog. Having this stick also helps to break up a fight-I've only had to break up one, though. Pepper spray works wonders, too. Good luck!

Answer 8

carry pepper spray or a large walking stick with you, you have every right to protect your dog and yoruself, a good doese of pepper spray is usually enough to send a strange dog bolting if not a firm smack with a walking stick (never enough to realy hurt but enough to wind) is usually plenty.

in the case of helpng your dog, when you see an offleash dog with its owner tell them your dog is dog agressive please keep your dog away (if this is supposed to be an onleash area infrom them of that too...) if they refuse tell them you have no reservation using force if nessicary. anyone that allows their dog OFFLEASH in an rea with other dogs is taking that risk, if your dog is not 100% under control it should be onleash...

if its a random dog no onwer in site, keep facing forward and with a sense of confidence (which will carry through the leash to your dog) continue walking, dont stop to let your dogs sniff, dont stop just walk right on past keeping your dog focused on walking forward, if the loose dog acts agressivly and tries then to attack you have every right to retaliate using enough force to protect yourself and your dog.

Answer 9

I can not stand people that let their dogs run loose. My dogs are always on a leash. My dogs for the most part will not let the other dog near me.

Answer 10

I don't know if this will work but a friend of mine who had a similar problem told me that she would carry a staff with her. Any type of walking stick would work and she would claim her area with that Staff . A certain body language and a certain energy is needed to claim your area. I don't want to sound crazy but it worked for her.