dog off leash follows us home and marks our property; puppy response & guidance needed

[Wendy and Sophie]

I erred yesterday in walking my puppy, and would love some guidance.  Sophie, who is four months, and I were walking through our neighborhood when we came across a dog off leash.  I have since learned that I should have not allowed Sophie to interact with this dog, but at the time, and in general, we are trying to have her meet as many dogs as possible.  The dog came over, was playful and friendly, and that was fine.  But then the dog followed us home, running ahead of us, and marking everything along the way, including the front border of our property.  When my husband took Sophie out to walk this morning she was reticent.

I will try to walk her later today, but my larger question is this:  if you meet a dog off leash, and the dog follows you and continues to interact with your dog, how do you keep the dogs separated?  Should I have stopped, put Sophie in a sit and turned my back to this dog, hoping it would go away?  What's the best way to handle this situation?  There was no owner in sight.

Thanks for your insights on this.

Wendy & Sophie

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Of course. I forget, occasionally, that the rest of the world is not necessarily like my little neighborhood. I guess I would call the local animal-control office and ask what they do with unclaimed dogs, and then go from there. Getting in touch with the local veterinary office is also a great idea. I would be nervous about taking a stray dog into my car -- perhaps an unfounded fear, but I would be hesitant, nonetheless.  

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

This has happened to me more than once.  It is always irritating, slightly scary, and worrisome as there is no way for me to get the dog home  One time I was is memorable for the humor of it.

This happened probably more than ten years ago when I was walking Storm and Thor, my two Siberian Huskies.  I had several routes I took through my then neighborhood.  The route I was on that day went by a house where the dog had occasionally "let himself out" and would be lying in his front yard.  It was not frequently that this happened and when it did a stern "stay home" kept him in his yard.

Once, however, he "let himself out" through the driveway gate just as I was walking by across the street.  He must have been full of energy as he trotted cheerfully toward me and the dogs.  I said "stay home", then "go home' in my very best mom voice which slowed him down, but did not stop him.  By the time he was about five feet away I found myself with Thor, scrunched up and hiding behind me leaning his side tightly against my legs. Storm also was behind me poking her head between my thighs just enough to watch.  The loose dog stood for sometime cocking his head to one side and then the other.  Tentatively taking one step forward and then one step back. We must have been quite a sight for him.  I just kept saying "go home' with my arm straight out and finger pointing as if he were a misbehaving child.  I couldn't decide if I was going to fall forward from the weight of my two courageous dogs pushing on me as if saying "go get him, Mom, we're right behind you" or  end up in the middle of a three dog scramble.  Looking back, a picture would have been an all time "selfie" winner.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Love this story of your brave dogs. LOL

[Gail and Bailey]

Assuming your pup was small enough, would any of you pick up your pup and keep walking....or would this be sending the wrong message?

[Julie and Max]

I carry a second leash with me. It's a training leash that slips over the head so it doesn't need a collar. This is in case I encounter an off leash dog. That would be my first defense to try and leash it if it was not unfriendly. I also carry bear spray which would obviously be my last resort but I carry it to protect myself and Max in case we ever meet an aggressive dog..