Question for those of you that walk your dogs?

[beeniesmom]

That has happened to me a couple of times when I walk Beenie and Frankie.
Both times, the dogs that were running toward us stopped a few feet away after I started yelling NO really loudly and stimping my feet.
When They were pups, I could pick them up but now, at a combined wieght of 55 lbs, that's not possible.

I wanted to add that once, when Frankie was a pup, he was in the back yard and started running toward the side yard barking. He was running toward the meter reader. She quickly opened a small umbrella before Frankie reached her and scared him! That was a genious idea and you may want to do that even though I'm not sure how fast you could open an umbrella while walking 3 doggies! I know I probably couldn't with the two of them... but just an idea.

[Canis-Lupess]

I just stand still and keep a firm hold on the leashes of my dogs and remain quiet. Yes, thats happened to me loads of times and our Jess and Mist did give the others dogs more than they bargained for but they were on leashes and, generally, when the other dog realised they had bitten off more than they could chew, they'd walk off in a huff with no damage caused to either party.
I wouldn't worry about the owners of the other dogs because it's theirs that are out of control in a public place and so would be them that got into trouble if it came to it.

Our Jess and Mist were both capable of standing their ground and even winning with most other dogs so I didn't need to protect them myself...they tended to get rid of the other dog themselves....lol.
I would never have started shouting at the other dog because that would just rile our Jess and Mist up even more and that was the last thing they needed. I had to remain calm and quiet in these situations so as not to send the wrong message across to them. They were already mistrustful and aggressive with other dogs as it was, especially our Jess. I'd only have to stamp my foot at another dog and she'd go barmy wanting to shred it to bits.

[K9karen]

This thread gave me the willies. Given what happened to me, I haven't walked Logan in ages (although we're fenced, there's nuthin' like a good, long walkie!) I daren't venture out without John. The day I got Logan, I took her for a nice long walk. We encountered a girl with her black lab. After they passed us on the other side of the street, I heard a blood curdling scream. The lab pulled so hard, his leash unhitched. The girl screamed like a lunatic that her dog hates other dogs. (that would have been the old me), I wasn't sure what Logan would do, so I stood still, as did she (yay). As calmly as I could, I told the lab to "SIT" as the owner came racing over in tears. Nothing happened, but I was petrified. I learned my lesson with Cody (1st time owner) and no longer run..like, duh, I can barely walk.

Thanks for the idea of an umbrella! Good idea. I also agree that I would do whatever it takes to defend Logan like I did the puppy.

[bckrazy]

In a situation where the other dog is aggressive... I would stand still, with my dog behind me, and tell the dog to go home.

Now that I really think about it, I've never actually been faced with an aggressive, loose dog. There are several rude Golden Retrievers & Labs in my neighborhood who are always out in their yards, but they aren't aggressive, just rude. I will tell them to go home, Gonzo will tell them off, and they're pretty much on their way.

I feel bad for anyone who has aggressive dogs loose in their neighborhood. It has to be scary. But, I think, most importantly, DON'T RUN! That will just provoke a dog to give chase.

[Pam]

I have never had this happen and it scares me to death to think of it as I am reading your stories. Long ago my dad was walking my childhood dog, and an off leash dog came up and attacked my dog. My dad was so shaken he nearly had a heart attack. When he got home he and mom raced Laddie to the vet and he was OK in time.

The worst thing I have faced on my walks is dogs snarling/growing at us from out of windows or in a fenced yard (cyclone) where they can see us but not get to us. Bella's tail goes way down and she is clearly afraid. Ripley acts like "bring it on." I like the idea of bringing an umbrella or some sort of device for protection, but honestly just the thought of this terrifies me.

[cyber-sibes]

I hate when this happens. I try to get between my dogs & the strange dog, & do something menacing - yell, wave arms, stamp foot forward. doesn't always work because Star thinks she should be the one out front protecting us! She did get bit by a loose golden I was trying to fend off. I couldn't believe the owner stood there watching saying how dogs will be dogs. I hope she took it more seriously when the Animal Control officer visited her after I called & he came out. I called them to go check if that dog had a current rabies vaccination, since it bit Star.

[jackie]

That happened to me once, I threw my dogs leashed on the grown and ran at the dog shouting. Probably not the smartest thing to do, but it worked, but the dogs looked at me like I was crazy after that.

[Twisterdog]

I have small dogs. The largest is 30 pounds, and the smallest 8 pounds. They are very friendly dogs. I don't worry about them. I worry about the other dogs. If my dogs are on a leash in a public place, I consider myself and my dogs to have the absolute right-of-way over a loose dog.

I just pick up the little ones. But that doesn't guarantee your dog's safety, or yours, if a large dog wants to get your little dog.

I carry Mace with me. I would not hesitate for one second to Mace an aggressive dog. I've never had to do it, but I would, in a heartbeat.

[lute]

Living in what I think is *the stray dog capitol of the world*.....I see this all the time. As dorky as it is I stand my ground. Hold the dogs behind me, hold my hand out and say "NO!" Stomp my foot at them. Anything to let them know These are MY dogs and I don't want you here! I would never run from a dog. Makes the dog think I fear him and could make him actually attack me. If I do what I normally do it makes the dog think twice.