![]() However, if the dog is coming too quickly towards your dog, you might not have time to escape the area without first distracting the approaching dog. Look around to see who else might be nearby to help call the dog away and look for an easy escape route. Avoiding contact with the off-leash dog is the best option! Stay aware of where the loose dog is as you make your way out of the area. Use a treat to distract your dog and keep their focus on you as you walk away. If you have time and enough distance, simply walk a different way with your dog. The body language of the approaching dog (and your own dog's reactions to other dogs while on leash) will determine the urgency and intensity with which you will need to act. In these instances, you might need to rely on the block and startle techniques to keep you and your dog safe. That intense body language means they are hyper-focused on your dog and might view them as a threat that needs to be dealt with or a prey animal that they should go after. However, it's usually easier to get these dogs to stop and leave you and your dog alone using cues, body blocking, or tossing treats away from you.Ī dog that is approaching in a more intense fashion, exhibiting body language such as staring at your dog, closed mouth, forward ears, high and tight tail wag, stiffness, and stalking movements, is a dog that you should be more worried about. It's a nightmare for owners of dogs who are reactive towards or fearful of dogs to have a "friendly" dog approach.įriendly dogs can become unfriendly if your dog reacts defensively, and you can't be sure if they're up-to-date on their vaccinations or have other transmittable health issues. Even if the approaching dog seems to be friendly, it's still better to avoid having your dog greet it. A dog who is happy with friendly intentions will have a very loose and bouncy body, relaxed ears and face, an open (panting) mouth, and a relaxed "full-body wag" of the tail. Take stock of the approaching dog's body language. The earlier you see the dog approaching, the easier it is to prevent any problems. Off-leash dogs are one of the main reasons that you should be practicing constant situational awareness while out walking your dog. This can be hard! But the calmer you are, the calmer your dog will be. Hopefully, the approaching dog is friendly and no one gets hurt.īe Prepared Stay Calm and Examine Dog Body Language You could be putting yourself in harm's way in order to try and protect your dog. The following techniques may help keep your dog safe but every situation is unique. So what should you do if you’re out on a walk with your pup and you see a loose dog approaching? There is inherent danger and risk to having a loose dog coming towards you and your dog. It’s best to save the greetings for another time, when both owners are present, the dogs are either both leashed or both off-leash, and after you’ve had a chance to find out more about the other dog’s behavior and health history. This leaves them feeling more defensive and reactive, as all that's left is either shutting down (helplessness) or the fight response. Being on leash removes a dog's ability to move away and add distance from the other – we've essentially removed the "flight" option. The dynamics between a leashed dog and an off-leash dog are different than if both dogs were leashed or both were off-leash. Whether a dog has gotten loose from their owner (or the owner has decided to just ignore leash laws in the first place), or if it's a stray dog wandering the area, an off-leash dog coming to investigate a leashed dog is a situation that you should try to avoid at all times. This scenario happens more than it should and it can be terrifying, especially if your dog has had bad experiences with off-leash dogs in the past or you have a leash reactive dog who needs their space. Is the dog friendly or will they bite? Are they a stray or did they escape from their yard somewhere nearby? Where is their owner? Are they wanting to come to play with your dog or are they protecting their territory? Having a loose dog approach you and your dog while you’re out enjoying a walk can be a nerve-racking experience.
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