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What to Do When an Unfriendly Off-leash Dog Rushes Your Dog
How scary when this happens! As an pet parent of small dogs, this is often on my mind. But, no matter the size dog you have, it’s good to have plans in place, just in case an unknown dog approaches in an unfriendly way. Here are some ideas:
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A stern NO and your bold body language may deter some dogs.
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A bunch of tossed treats, while he’s still at a distance, may keep him busy while you get away.
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A Coyote Vest (or Spike Vest) can provide some physical protection.
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A sturdy walking stick or a pop-out umbrella can deter close contact.
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A deterrent spray could be used (though be mindful of blow-back on a windy day).
I’ve also taught my dog the ‘trick’ of leaping into my arms. This allows me to quickly place her over a fence, onto a car, even into a garbage bin in a dangerous situation. Simply holding her in my arms will likely put both of us at greater risk, though I don’t know anyone whose first instinct wouldn’t be to protectively hold the dog.
Do you have other tricks or ideas for escaping a situation like this?
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16 Replies
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Here’s Bean in her Coyote Vest.
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That coyote vest is PAWsome! I bet it’s a raptor deterrent, too!
Super skills on the jump-recall. Now I want little dogs too.
You are bringing up such an important topic. Looking forward to seeing everyone’s ideas.
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Hi @virginiad ! Thank you for bringing up this very important topic. It would be helpful to discuss why picking up your dog can make the situation worse! i.e. what might be the pros or cons of doing that.
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I have a 10 lb dog and this happened to me. My first instinct was to pick up my little dog when a large dog was approaching fast. I held my dog him tight and kept going around in circles to keep my back to the large dog. The owner came right away, thank goodness, but if the large dog had knocked me down, I possibly could have gotten hurt, and my little dog would not have been protected. He may have run away with large dog chasing him or been hit by a car. Tough situation, no time to think! I absolutely love the vest! Great idea!
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Yes, it puts the person more at risk when they pick up the little dog.
The act of picking up the dog can also further arouse the off-leash, unfriendly dog, making them want to grab at the ‘hanging bits.’
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I love the jump in my arms proactive approach! So scary for the little ones, especially when the off leash dog is larger. Great thinking and great share with this tip!
This is a red hot topic for me since I have almost stopped walking my dogs due to encountering unleashed dogs in my own neighborhood and sister’s. It’s like nails on a chalkboard for me to hear “sorry”, in a casual tone as their dog runs out of a yard, in a street at us or, upon us a public park type setting!
I recently had a poodle rush at us when her leash broke (equipment failure happens!). Thankfully my AmStaff, Kaiden only had to give a warning bark and she stopped. I am thankful when dogs’ communication skills actually work!
I have had to use spray cheese to fend off a charging Pomeranian! It was just aversive enough to this dog. He left his yard, charging after neighbors and their dog walking near my house. I was training Titan in my yard at the time, heard the commotion of a potential fight and ran, cheese in hand! The dog re-directed on me and was re-directing on his owner. Spraying cheese was the only thing keeping the Pom just far enough away from me during his charging episodes.
I usually always carry a can of SprayShield and a break stick along with Cheerios!
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Oh, and the coyote vest could also double as a porcupine Halloween costume! (I have never seen this and that was my first thought!) ????
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OMD! I am laughing out loud at the visual of you defending yourself with spray cheese!!! Not funny at all! I think that’s cool that you would use what you had. Good for you, @jenz !
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I am still amazed with the intensity of the fury that fur-ball had at that time. My intention for the cheese was that it would capture his attention and eat it but, NOPE! It did pause him enough to stop a potential and likely bite (just my opinion that he would have had no problem grabbing my shoe, ankle or shin) while rushing towards me. He was relentless for 6-7 minutes. He even came at me several times after starting to walk away (10′-15′ away) and as I was backing away!
Yes, use what you have on you and in the environment as Virginia mentions with the trash cans, cars, fences etc!
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That is surely an unconventional use of spray cheese! And, I’ve had client dogs who accidentally received a burst of air from a spray cheese can failure and it was very aversive to them. 🙁 So, I can see it working even in a BIG MOMENT like you shared, @jenz
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I love this topic. Thank you, @virginiad for bringing it up and providing awesome solutions.
I love the trick of jumping into your arms. That would be great to teach small dogs, I think.
As a professional walker, this has happened far too often to me while walking my clients’ dogs, so I feel something of an expert on this topic, as I’ve avoided some scary situations.
First of all:
Keep your eyes peeled! So many times, I see people walking their dogs like on auto pilot, LOOKING AT THEIR PHONES. It is our job to look, listen and be alert to things because your dog is alert to whatever scents are scattered around him or her.
Teach your dog a U-turn, daily practice it with treats while on walks or even in your house. I like to say, “Walk Away!” In a bright and chipper tone, following up with treats for initiating and completing and even following up for maintaining the new trajectory! I cannot tell you how many times just this simple behavior calms the dogs you’re walking, but also, because the advancing dogs read the body language of the retreating dogs, they often stop and go home! No joke.
Most of the dogs I walk seem to be 30+ pounds, so I don’t think the jumping into my arms would work. But, I think it’s great and I will work on that with a few little ones I take care of. ????. Thank you, it’s a superb idea!
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Thank you for sharing your ideas and experience, @bernerlabreclectus !
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Keep your eyes peeled! So many times, I see people walking their dogs like on auto pilot, LOOKING AT THEIR PHONES. It is our job to look, listen and be alert to things because your dog is alert to whatever scents are scattered around him or her. – Paula M.
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I often carry two forms of protection, depending on location. I always have gel mace attached to my keys, it has no spray back and it has a 20 yard reach… if I think I am going to need it, I carry my walking stick as well. Nice long reach on that. But first defence is attention, being aware of the environment and knowing what is going on around you. This is important not only for the safety of your pup, but YOU as well, as we do live in a world that has people who will target and victimize others for their own gain and greed. Dog knappers too, not just people. Used to be in my area we had big loose dogs getting out of their yards. Now it seems just the coyotes… but you never know who or what will pop up around a bush. (we also have bobcats in my area)
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@Cami – you are so right – PAY ATTENTION out there is the 1st line of defense. For that reason, I prefer to walk my dogs in huge open areas where there is a lot of distance between us and any surprises. Then I have more time to take action. I am curious about the gel mace… is that product marketed for stopping people or critters?
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