How do you handle dogs running up to your dog when your out walking

[CathyBogart]

Honestly, I'm not nice at ALL in these situations, because both of my dogs are dog-aggressive. I've called animal control many times, I've givin irresponsible owners tongue-lashings up one side and down the other, as well as threatened to call animal control, and once when I couldn't get both of my dogs out of the way of a large GSD that was chargin us, I kicked the GSD in the chest to divert him from getting to my dogs. I felt awful, but if Wilbur (15lbs) had attacked him I wouldn't have blamed him at all for defending himself, snd that defense could easily have killed my dog.

[pnance]

I agree this has always been a big issue with me as well, my RB terrier spent a week in a vet hospital after 2 Akita's (who were off leash) attacked him, mind you the owner yelled at me "don't worry they're friendly" just before they grabbed him. I was a teenager at the time and believed him, never again! My dogs, even Savannah, my aggressive one, walks fine on a leash, she'll even walk by another dog w/o problems if it's controlled(on leash) by it's owner, but if she's attacked I don't know that my training will stop her from defending herself. I've never had to test that and I'd rather not, which is why I was curious how other people handled this situation.

[ramanth]

Well... it depends a little on the situation. For the most part, I stomp my feet and yell and depending on the dog's size, threateningly approach it.

We were camping in a State Park and there is a rule that all dogs must be leashed or on a tie out.

This little dog came flying out from under a camper, teeth bared, and barking like mad. Kia bolted, so I let go of her leash so she could get away and placing myself between the dog and Kia, I charged the dog yelling, "NO! BACK!" and stomping my feet.

Thankfully the dog slowed down, looking slightly confused.

The owners came running out, apologizing and I told them if I saw their dog off leash again, I was going to report them.

I was so ticked off. It's the only time I ever contenplated kicking a dog.

Thankfully the dogs that run loose near my parents house stay in their yard, so when I walk Kia or ride my bike with her, they just stand in the yard and bark at us.

All the dogs in Williamston on our walking route are in fenced back yards.

[Suki Wingy]

I stay away from all other dogs untill I have asked, wheather I have Niño with be or not. I know how it is to have a dog who is unstable and likley to snap at anyone who runs by.

[cocker_luva]

i get tense! jesse is extremely dominant and will only tolerate dogs if they know it too, whether she has to fight em or not. so i get kinda freaked and usually caution the owner not to let the dogs do that, they could get hurt. (attacked by animal, hit by car, etc.)

[tricollie4me]

I worry a lot about other dogs. Bijou is still a pup at 8 months, and is friendly but still uncivilized (she will jump and get very happy/excited, which is often misinterpreted by other people and/or their dogs). There are several dogs in my neighborhood that "hang around" in their yard off leash and this is okay with me if I can clearly see the owner in close proximity. I figure that these dogs must be well-behaved and predictable in their behavior, and so I just continue walking. I don't invite their dogs over to meet Bijou, I just keep walking and talking to Bij. What scares me a bit are the few dogs that have invisible fences on my regular walking route (right around the corner from my house, so hard not to pass at least once during a walk) -- these dogs charge at the fence and bark like mad -- I always feel startled and I wonder if Bijou is interested or just as intimidated as I feel?! I walk very fast past that house! Bijou isn't huge at about 35+ lbs, but she's big enough that I can't pick her up and confidently assure her safety while in my arms. I adore walking Bijou but it's enough for me to try and teach her to heel, not pull on the leash, to walk adjacent to me and not in front, etc., without being terrified that she's going to be confronted by an unknown dog.

That said, there's a dog two houses away that does not like Bijou at all, and he's often off leash in their yard...he's come by a few times to growl and lunge at Bijou while we're doing the potty thing or playing together...he's my biggest worry. He's a beautiful dog, but he's huge and makes quite an impression. It's unfortunate he and Bijou aren't friends.

[jennifert9]

Ginger's Mom, I agree, this is a huge pet peeve of mine also. Duncan used to be allowed off leash and he would run and play with any other dog off leash also. If we came upon one that was leashed, I would call him and he would come back to me and I would leash him. I certainly didn't want to be "that jerk with the dog running up to others dogs." Since Duncan has shown himself lately to be very dog aggressive both on and off leash, he is always on a leash now. We used to go to a park in NJ (Ramapo Reservation) and everyone else had their dogs off leash. Most of them were extremely well behaved and their owners had control of them at all times. 90% of them were smart enough to figure out that if my dog was on a leash, it was for a reason and they kept their dogs away. One time though, Duncan and I were hiking up the mountain and came across a couple and their lab in the middle of the path. Apparently, the woman had fallen and sprained her ankle. The dog was just milling around them off leash. I waited patiently with Duncan a little off the trail about 25 ft or so away for them to get themselves together and get back on their feet. They saw we and moved to the side of the trail but did not call their dog back or move him at all. I waited some more. Finally the guy yelled to me(in an annoyed tone of voice) "Don't worry, he's friendly." I yelled back, "Well, worry, because he's not!" I was so annoyed. I mean I could see if their dog was bigger than Duncan but Duncan had to be at least 2x or 3x the size of their dog!!! When people are stupid like that, it almost makes you want to teach them a lesson. But of course, you can't take it out on the dogs. I cannot afford to pay everyone in town's vet bills so Duncan is always leashed. If a dog off leash comes up to us, I usually stand between them as best I can and look around for the owner. Not easy with an angry, curious dog behind you and another coming at you. If there was no owner around, I don't know what I would do....If I let go of Duncan's leash, he might be friendlier to the newcomer than if he is right next to me. He tends to be WAY overprotective leashed. But then that changes the whole responsibility issue right?
Maybe go for a walk without your dogs one night at the same time you usually go and if you see the dogs and their owners, explain the situation and ask them to please keep their dogs under control and anticipate your daily walks. I have found that people often want to cooperate and are just not aware that their behavior is causing a problem to others. If that doesn't work, carry your cell and call animal control right then and there.

[IRescue452]

I usually avoid houses where I know there are aggressive dogs loose. Otherwise I stand in front of Autumn and keep her leash loose and tell her to sit until the owner comes to get the dog, if no owner I've been known to take them to the shelter. I'm lucky in the fact that Autumn is an excellent judge in character. She knows if other dogs are going to be agressive or not and acts accordingly. I've found that if you hold your dog's leash tight it seems like they are trying to dominate the other dog because their head is held up. I agree that you should do something about the leash laws in your area or write to the owners.

[Giselle]

First thing to do when you see a strange dog is to NOT ACT TENSE. No matter how nervous you *want* to become, you can NOT give the outward impression that you are apprehensive. This will just backtrack your aggressive dog's progress. Second thing is to place yourself between the strange dog and your own dog. I usually don't have to encounter these situations, but I would place my fist out and say "NO/STOP" firmly. If the dog doesn't stop in his/her tracks, I'd grab my handy Bitter Apple Spray and spray it at the dog's front paws. If push comes to shove, I'd spray the Bitter Apple at the dog's mouth. Once the dog backs off, I'd personally go back home and try another route or walk on if you wish.

Above all, I agree with the others in that you should contact AC so that the leash law is either more strictly enforced and/or revised so that it more severely penalizes offenders. Most people think they're doing Fido a favor by letting him run off lead, hence, gaining exercise. They just need a nudge in the right direction. I wish you the best of luck in solving this problem!

[pnance]

Thanks everyone! I'll try getting between the dogs next time and get mine to sit. I'll also try hooking the dogs up to a coupler so I can have one hand free and carry a water bottle or maybe bitter apple. A couple of the owners have been very apologetic about it and very careful to keep an eye out. One women who has 2 labs (one aggressive) who attacked Bear makes sure her dogs are locked in their run on the days when I walk. I've been trying to be nice about this, since some of the loose dogs are from houses that's fences are down because the homes are being rebuilt after the fires over a year ago. A lot of the owners are living in RV's on their property while the homes are being constructed and with construction going on I understand its hard, especially when you have pets your used to just letting out into the yard. I'm hoping once that's done some of the dogs will not be a problem any longer. There are a few though that will always be a problem and the owners truly don't seem to care, which is what really annoys me. I'm not really the confrontational type, but I got so mad at one owner I lost it one day and basically just yelled at her (I'd already talked to her more than once). It went in one ear and out the other, since her dogs still run loose. She's the one I mentioned ealier whose lab jumped into the construction truck and wouldn't let the truck owner in. Sorry this is so long but I had to vent a little after I went through it again yesterday. Thanks again for the advice!
Bear

[Jennsen]

My Buck is very well mannered and not dog or people aggressive at all and I dont need a leash, but use one just to be safe. In fact when a dog comes running up to us, he will try and get away from it, side stepping carefully as not to trip me.
I also raise sheep and when I have to go into the pen with a very agressive ram, I carry a bottle of apple cider vinagar and spray them lightly around the face area. This stops the rams from charging me instantly, and it only takes once or twice to work. Apple cider vinagar is completely safe and will not hurt the animal at all. I started using this when a ram that got out surprised attacked my daughter. And this has never happened again.
So, I thought of taking my spray bottle with me when I walk Buck, and now the dogs that used to chase us just stand there and make a small timid bark, but never come running or close to us. I had one of the owner's come yelling at me when he saw me spraying his dog. I asked him to weigh the odds there, a little spray is better than losing his dog to animal control or a car, because if his dogs was to bite my dog or myself, I would press charges, and he shut right up. If you think about it that way or another dog killing your dog, you'll have no problems with spraying a little "safeguard!"

[lv4dogs]

This is my biggest pet peve.

If no owner is around I yell at the top of my lungs for the dog to go home, get away, etc.. If the dog seems strong headed soemtimes I flail my arms portraying me as bigger person.
At the same time I try to pre-ocupy my dogs By giving them a leave it command or turn around & start to walk the other way. Raustyk can sometimes be dog aggressive so I really have to watch it with her. She can be strong when she wants to be good thing she is trained well.

If the owner is around I still do the same if the dog is not responding to the owner.

Then if the owner is around after (s)he gets control of her/his dog(s) I give them a piece of my mind.
I start polite just in case it was a one time incident where they accidently got loose. I explain that although their dog is friendly others may not be, and the dangers of getting hit by a car, someone stealing the dog, if its a small dog in the cuntry there are coyotes around etc... etc... If the owner becomes defensive I just get meaner. I'm usually a VERY nice person but not when it comes to this.
If it is an owner that does not seem to care or is mean to me or if it a re-uccuring thing I really let it loose. I get angry & tell them I'm sick of this happening and WILL call animal control everytime it happens from now on.

Sorry but I can't keep my mouth shut when a living creature has their life on the line.

[Jennsen]

This just came to mind...my parents live at the end of a mile long, one lane road with a grove of walnut trees on both sides for another mile. They have had only one neighbor on this road inbetween them and the main road for the last 30 years. About 6 months ago a piece of property was sold just off the main road, and a new house was built at the beginning of their road.

For 20 years I have always let my dogs out of my vehicle at the beginning of their road to run down the lane as I drive slowly along with them. Just a few weeks ago I let my dog out to run and the new resident was in her yard with a little white dog. This dog came running and squealing at my dog with her following and screaming. I stopped the truck, and told Buck to sit, so she could catch her dog. Her little dog went around and around the truck with her in tow, while buck didnt move a muscle. Finally she caught her dog by the tail and yanked it out from under my truck, turned around at me and said some foul words and marched back to her house. This whole time buck still hadnt moved and was looking as though he'd done something wrong...my heart just broke when I looked at him and saw the look on his face.

[Denyce]

We have pretty much stopped walking Sequoia down our road because of this issue. We have just too many neighbors that allow their dogs to run loose. They feel that because we are in a mountainous rural area that it is ok. One of the last times a Viszla came running at Sequoia. My husband had hold of her leash right near the collar and had her sitting...the Viszla got right in Sequoia's face barking and snarling. Sequoia lunged and snapped and the dog ran screaming back to her house. I don't know if Sequoia actually made contact but it sure scared the other dog. I haven't seen those dogs loose since then.......

Denyce