Tell me something, what would you do if an off leash dog attacks your dog?
BOTH HARLEY AND JAXSON –
are well known in our neighborhood because we walk them so much…
Not often, but I have wondered – what I would do if an off leash, unaccompanied, angry canine approached me while on a walk.
Here I am – in relatively good health, but as a baby boomer I’m way pass my prime. When I’m walking the Boys, I’ve got a total of 135 lbs on two leashes tethered to my waist. So what would I do?
TRUE STORY –
The other day Doodle Dad took the Boys to our community lake and park. It’s only a few blocks away from the house and often they go there to play ball.
Less than two blocks from the house, Lee noticed a dog emerge from the backyard. He was a little taller than Harley, but seemed to have more weight on him than Jaxson. #heavyweight
At first he stood his ground at the top of his yard, so Lee continued to walk. Suddenly he started charging towards them. Lee wasn’t armed with anything to protect himself. All he had in his hands were poop bags, a “chuck-it” ball and the plastic stick it comes with.
The angry dog gained momentum as his speed increased coming down the driveway. It was obvious this dog wasn’t coming to say hello, nor did he want to play.
Making a split second decision, Doodle Dad stepped off the curb trying to give additional distance between himself, the Boys and the angry dog.
THE DOG KEPT COMING –
And that’s when Lee saw the truck. He walked in front of the truck with his arm extended out like a school crossing guard, commanding the truck to stop…
YOU WILL NEVER GUESS –
– what happened next.
Come back on Friday for the rest of the story #paulharvey Find out how this story ends as well as what you should do when an off leash dog attacks. #doodlecliffhanger
If you’re going to RISE – you might as well SHINE ❤️
This is our contribution in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
March 1, 2017
Yikes!!
Ok so we’ve had this happen a ton of times to us in our previous neighborhood. And recently with our move to the country I’ve become even more paranoid because many people here don’t bother to fence their dogs!
When I see an angry barking dog we immediately cross the street to give them more space. If the dog charges or comes in our direction I yell at them, usually something along the lines of, “NO!! GO HOME!” In my biggest baddest voice and we keep walking slowly to give space while I don’t take my eyes off of them – we don’t ever run because I don’t want to encourage a chase.
And lastly I always carry pepper spray and yes we’ve had to use it twice. Contrary to popular belief pepper spray doesn’t permanently harm a dog, but it does certainly stop them. It can easily be washed out with baby shampoo. Some people use the citrus dog stopping spray for things like this, but I’ve heard stories from personal friends of it not working when dealing with a truly aggressive and committed attacking dog. Pepper spray on the other hand works, and leaves the dog rethinking their decision giving you enough time to get away.
Another reason I carry the pepper spray is because having pitties one of my concerns is that were they to defend themselves and injure the attacking dog – I don’t want them to end up in the news and possibly euthanized due to public fear and “bad dog” stigmas. #BetterSafeThanSorry
I hope your family was ok!
March 1, 2017
Everything you just described sounds like all the right things to do. I don’t know what I would do – I know I would be terrified, but determined to protect my Boys. Thanks for sharing some options my friend.
March 1, 2017
You have me on tender hooks! But I know the story has a good ending, so I’m not worried. Just eager to read “Part Two”.
March 1, 2017
It’s a happy ending, but one that I would never have suspected. Can’t wait to share it with everyone!
March 1, 2017
Sadly we have encountered angry loose dogs. We have been mostly fortunate no one was hurt and the “circus-is-in-town” otherwise known as two excited pooches I walk daily haven’t pulled me down as I so often fear. I keep my eyes on the alert and will use an alternative route whenever I spot a lone dog running loose or one who is aggressive with a walker. No need to poke a bear, right?
March 1, 2017
Definitely no bear poking encouraged here! It’s one of those things that while you don’t dwell on it much, it can (unfortunately) happen. I never thought much about it until last week.
March 1, 2017
Can’t wait till Friday……
March 1, 2017
Don’t cheat and call your dad to find out “the rest of the story” young lady LOL
March 1, 2017
Off leash dogs are the reason I haven’t trying walking my cat. In my neighborhood we often have off leash dogs wandering freely and I don’t know how I could protect my cat.
Can’t wait to hear the end of your story (I hope it has a happy ending)!
March 1, 2017
Rosa, I totally understand. Walking a cat could be unsettling if you have frequent loose dogs roaming your neighborhood. Please be careful if you do.
March 1, 2017
Oh my !!! What a cliffhanger can’t wait till Friday for the rest of this story Paul Harvey
March 1, 2017
I promise to post early Yvonne! Since you’re an early riser 🙂
March 1, 2017
That is so scary! I never have my dogs off leash. Last night a loose dog ran to us while my dogs were in the fenced back yard. Beau is super sweet but gets VERY territorial behind his fence. The loose dog was a “friend” from the neighborhood but he came on our property- Beau went completely bezerk and would NOT listen to me or back down from the fence. (So grateful the fence was there!) I know that if a loose dog ran at my dogs, a dog fight would go down and that is terrifying.
March 1, 2017
That was my fear as Doodle Dad was telling me the story. Harley tries to be all big and bad but he’s not a fighter #hesadoodlelover I ca’t imagine what it would be like trying to brake up a fight between him, Jaxson and an angry dog. You’re so right – terrifying.
March 1, 2017
Aaaah! I’m always a bit nervous on walks because of this very scenario.
March 1, 2017
I’m thinking hard about what to take with me for extra protection Shanna, for that very same reason. We love walking, and I don’t want to stop, but I need a “back-up” plan.
March 1, 2017
It’s always scary when a strange dog starts coming after us. Luckily it rarely happens, but when it does, it is serious business.
March 1, 2017
Even though this happened on Doodle Dad’s watch, it’s still rather unsettling with the thought of it. I would probably run down the street screaming like an idiot. LOL
March 1, 2017
We’ve had issues with other dogs before. I’m lucky in that no one was ever badly hurt. Most of the time, I don’t walk my dogs in neighborhoods, they go off leash hiking or we do leashed hikes in areas that I know well. When they are off leash, they are not trapped by a leash are better able to avoid conflict. Most of the time other dogs back off from them because neither of my dogs put up with anything. The one time they were on leash and a dog charged us, I put them both behind me, went towards to dog and sternly commanded him to go home. I yelled loud enough and the owner actually came out and got him.
March 1, 2017
WOW! Lauren, that’s impressive. I would like to think that I could keep my cool and remain level headed myself. I know I would protect the Boys, but I would secretly be terrified.
March 1, 2017
Since we live in a quiet neighborhood, we don’t have to worry about this too much, but still there are plenty of dogs here so it could. Where my dogs are already reactive, I worry since it would not be a good scene!
I do carry a citronella spray with me to ward off even friendly dogs but so far I haven’t had to use it.
I trust that since you left us hanging, that this story will have a happy ending! Can’t wait to hear it!
March 1, 2017
Question Jan K. – do you think the citronella sprays work well? I’ve heard a few people say they’re not as affective as they needed them to be. Let me know please.
March 1, 2017
Im anxious for Friday. Unfortunately my Ziggy has charged down our driveway But, he was the one met by an Angry dog. Ziggy is very very playful. We dont have a front or back fence. Sometimes, at times i feel may be safe, ill let him run free in our back for no longer than 3 or 4 minutes. He was startled by the growling dog that obviously did not want to play. Ziggy ran so fast back up the driveway and stood by the back door waiting for me to open it
March 1, 2017
Ziggy must have sized up the situation and figured he wasn’t going to win this one – that’s why he came running to the door LOL We have a fenced in back yard, but we’ve always walked a few miles twice a day. It’s a great way for them to get additional exercise and I love that time to clear my head. I don’t want my serene walks to turn into a time of stress looking over the back of my shoulder for Cujo!
March 1, 2017
That musta been a little scary. We’ll be back to find out how it all turned out.
March 1, 2017
It was a bit nerve wracking – so happy it was Doodle Dad my retired Infantry solider. I would have made the newspaper – “Woman passes out in street gutter when dog approached” I could only imagine LOL
March 1, 2017
Waiting to read Part 2!
March 1, 2017
Great!
March 1, 2017
Sounds like doodle dad has more than his fair share of smarts! I’m not so sure I’d be able to think so quickly. I will be sure to come back on Friday to see how it all turned out. (And as an aside, I carry a tiny canister of citronella spray and a bag of treats in my pockets when I walk my dogs. I’ve lured some dogs away by throwing treats over their shoulders, and I’ve come very close to using that spray in a dog’s face. It’s sad that we have to plan for these things, but we do.)
Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie
March 1, 2017
Jean, I told Jan K. I might have to pick up a can of spray just in case. Lee is that kind of person who never gets excited, so he was the right person between the two of us to have this experience. I would have died! Now at least I’ve got time to figure out a plan, one that I didn’t have before now.
March 1, 2017
We have quit walking the boys in the neighborhood because there are several dogs that can run loose or escape their fence. It is not worth the risk anymore. I hope the Doodles and Lee got away unscathed!
March 1, 2017
I’m not liking the dogs who jump up around the fence as if they can jump over. There are two I always have to keep my eye on. I rarely walk when they are out but there have been a few days when I’ve turned around and walked a different route.
March 1, 2017
Due to our work schedules, Pedro’s Daddy is the one that does most of the “galivanting” (Pedro figured out “walk” and “w” so we had to change words to minimize the Doodle excitement 🙂 so I know he crosses the street if he sees a remotely threatening dog and he would be able to deal with it one way or another. I don’t have such confidence in myself, especially because Pedro senses that Mommy needs protection and he gets defensive and I worry he could get entangled in a fight himself. He’s a strong dood, no question, I just don’t want to take the risk… Can’t wait to hear the ending of your story though… ! Loving paws to you, Doodle Dad and the Boys!
March 1, 2017
Hello Alessandra! How have you been? I’m like you – I get nervous which puts Harley into a tailspin. He’s a bad Dood but he’s not the biggest dog on the block, so I worry about him. Jaxson is a tad taller and heavier so I think he could take care of himself. Take care.
March 2, 2017
Oh no!! You’ve left us with a real cliff hanger!!! The idea of an off leash dog attack is a really scary one!
March 2, 2017
It’s super Doodle scary – but no one got hurt and we saw a true hero in action.
March 2, 2017
Oh gosh – hope I remember to come back!
We’ve been charged at like that many times, so have had many different responses depending on if I’m alone, or just me and the dog, or me plus the dog plus the hubs. The last situation is best, cuz the hubs is a hero and has literally thrown himself between me & Rita and the charging dog. Usually we end up escaping with only cuts and scrapes (somehow it always seems to be me who ends up with those!), but our first dog was bit pretty badly by a loose dog. I try to walks “defensively” – always looking for front yards w/ gates that we could duck into or cars we can put between us/the dog. I’ve also stopped a car in the street and we ran around the far side of it, which luckily gave us enough time/space to get away while the owner came out and got the dog under control.
March 2, 2017
That would be such a scary moment! I think that I would try to keep a distance too. I hope that everything turned out okay. That is a lot of dog to keep under control!
March 2, 2017
I can’t wait to find out!!!
March 2, 2017
Isn’t suspense grand? Check the website – the conclusion is finished!
March 3, 2017
willdo!
March 3, 2017
Cathy!! Come on woman, don’t do that to us. 😉
This has happened to me a couple of times dog walking and it’s the craziest.
I recently attended a dog behavior and self defense seminar and I’m not more educated on how to protect myself and what to do if I’m attacked.
Xo