Gail Fisher, All Dogs Gym & Inn - The perfect place for pets and their people

Years ago, I was walking my (then) four dogs on a dog-friendly beach in Maine. Three of my dogs were good with other dogs, but Shura, my English Mastiff, didn’t always tolerate dogs she didn’t know. She wouldn’t look for trouble, but if a dog approached her—especially if it rushed her rudely—she didn’t mince words. My dogs were running off-leash, in and out of the surf when way down the beach I could see two Golden Retrievers running full-tilt toward us. I called Shura and put her back on leash as I hollered to the owner, “Please call your dogs!” “It’s OK . . .” she yelled back to me. “They’re friendly!” “Mine’s not!!” I called back. Fortunately her dogs were kept busy with my friendly dogs, as the owner sauntered along, in no hurry to get her dogs under control.

This scenario is typical of what happens to many dog owners, who often ask me questions at seminars and talks about how to deal with loose dogs you meet on walks. I’ve also been asked this by people without dogs, who are bothered by dogs on their walks. There are several ways to deal with a loose dog, depending on the circumstances such as whether you see the dog regularly, your own dog’s behavior, and your assessment of the other dog’s intentions.

Consider which of the following approaches might work best for you, depending on your own dog and the loose dog. One option is to divert the dog’s attention by tossing a bunch of small treats toward him. If the dog is interested in food, broadcasting a handful of treats in a wide arc away from your line of travel should be enough to distract and redirect him away from you and your dog as you move away. A good treat for this is semi-moist cat food or cat treats such as Pounce. Cat food is more aromatic than dog treats, making it a better distraction than dry kibble or dog biscuits.

A less-positive approach is to use a disincentive to discourage the loose dog. If you’re walking without a dog, you can carry an ultrasonic device designed to repel dogs, or even something as offensive as an air horn, which serves the dual purpose of discouraging the dog and alerting the owner that their dog is bothering you. I don’t recommend using this if you’re walking with your own dog, however, as the sound is punishing to your dog as well.

Another approach is to carry a spray repellant designed for dogs. There are two commercial products: SpraySheild (formerly called Direct Stop) and Halt. Direct Stop is a citronella spray that is less harmful to the dog. Halt is a pepper spray designed for use with dogs.

Your number one job when you’re walking with your own dog is to protect yourself and your dog. An approach that I recently read about on an Internet list is to carry what the writer calls a “defend-a-brella.” She carries a large, automatic-opening black umbrella on which she has painted big eyes and teeth. She recommends pointing it directly at the menacing dog, and pressing the button so the umbrella pops open, unfurling at the charging dog. The added advantage of the defend-a-brella is that you can use it to protect yourself and your dog, if necessary, standing behind the umbrella with your dog behind you.

And finally, if you know where the dog lives, at another time—without your dog—politely ask the owner not to let their dog run loose. Without being confrontational, simply explain that when you’re walking with your dog, their dog creates a problem for you. Even if your town does not have a specific “leash law,” NH has a control law that mandates an owner must have control of their dog. If the owner isn’t in sight, clearly they’re not in “control.”