hi everyone:
I had some close calls today. I was walking my dog on a leash today at a preserve, near a city. I haven't been there in a long time. The dog I was walking can be fearful in certain situations, and will bark when she is afraid.
So, THREE separate times we get approached by dogs OFF LEASH. The last time, a GSD was coming in as we were leaving and saw my dog and cantered over, with hackles up. I yelled at the guy to get his dog on leash and he ignored me, and told me to chill out, that his dog is just trying to say 'Hi'. He told me things are more relaxed there etc. I know a little bit about dog behaviour, and posturing, and I also know that a dog on leash never has the one up on the off leash dog. What should I have done in this instance? I think I may have made my dog more worried by reacting, but I have had two dogs attacked in this manner, and I REALLY don't want another attack, especially on this fearful dog.
Julie

If you do a search, this has been thoroughly discussed before. Carry a solid walking stick or strong mace. Next time you see an offleash dog with no owner, use whatever gets the dog away. If you see an offleash dog with an owner who comes up to you, and you ask the owner to control their dog and they either refuse or can't, warn them that you will take measure to get their dog away from you (if there is time) and then do what you have to do, then if the other owner freaks out, call the cops and have them do a police report. That way it's documented that YOU were following the law while the other person was breaking it, YOU gave warning and other person chose to ignore it, and YOU defended yourself.

The other owner will learn the hard way, but you just can't be sure how the other dog will react or even how yours will. Besides your dog getting attacked or attacking someone else's dog, YOU don't want to get nailed either!

Also, don't tense up the leash, that will really put your dog up on edge. Stand between your dog and the threat if you can (you ARE the pack leader). It's been recommended in past posts as well that if things turn really bad, you should drop the leash to give yourself and your dog a fighting/fleeing chance.

good advice. i would only add that when you step in between your dog and the other dog, use your voice to threaten and initimidate the other dog to go away. usually a fierce "go home!" and advancing towards the other dog does the trick. i always carry a walking stick and unfortunately i have had to use it at times.

"i would only add that when you step in between your dog and the other dog, use your voice to threaten and initimidate the other dog to go away. usually a fierce "go home!" and advancing towards the other dog does the trick"

I tried that when my boerboelfemalw got attacked my a neighbours GSDfemale.(my dog has so much pain from the hip dysplasia that she did not try to defend herself at all..)It worked.
I screamed,and walk towards the dog,kicking at it (not on it),while dragging my dog with me.The GSD dog desided she was outnumbered,and backed off.
(the dog owner was near,but he did not dare go get his dog.I stood there,alone,at 11 o clock in the night.
I got an apology a WEEK later from the gsd-owner..

The mace is for the owner of the dog that is running loose <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />