FEAR OF LARGE DOGS

[Cathy C. Bennett]

This blog post is not so much about Leo & Harley as much as it’s about me! I have a fear of large dogs…

I know exactly how she feels

But here’s the twist – my fear isn’t for myself it’s out of concern for The Boys…

I’m beginning to think I have three dogs: Leo, Harley & “Wilson”

Today I realized I have no idea what I would do OR what I’m supposed to do, should a larger dog approach us aggressively.

Our Sunday morning walks typically start much earlier to give me plenty of time to take care of them and still make it to church. With daylight savings time, it’s barely dawn when the garage door goes up as we start our day.

We’re creatures of habit on our morning constitutionals – we pee on the same bush, sniff the same pole and poop practically in the same vicinity – generally at one of three corners. This Sunday, our walk abruptly changed its course when I saw a man walking two dogs headed in our direction…

They’re big, but they’re fluffy and friendly

The length of six houses separated us from what I “sized-up” rapidly as two HUGE dogs weighing no less than 100 pounds each. These dogs were not fluff mops like Leo, I’m talking “lean mean tail wagging machines.” The dog walker stopped when he saw us and at the same time both dogs froze and stared.

“Thank the Doodle”, my two didn’t see them. There were some interesting “stuff” tucked underneath some fresh fallen leaves that seemed to keep them occupied.

The dog walker stepped off the sidewalk and stood in the gutter with his dogs hidden behind theSUV parked in front of them. I acknowledged him with a head nod, and he did the same.

I don’t think I’m crazy, but it almost seemed as if he wanted to hide his dogs visibility from my dogs. I (now wide awake) quickly assessed that there was absolutely no reason to push the envelope by continuing in their direction, so I turned around and headed back where I came from.

When Harley stopped to pee “again”, I looked behind me in enough time to see him stop walking also. He was still about the same distance away from us. We were almost to the corner when Harley stopped to poop, I looked back again, to see him stop – “again.” His dogs never barked, they just stared, but not in a “we want to play” way. It was obvious he thought it best to maintain plenty of space between the dogs.

And before you ask, I doubt seriously if he was afraid for his dogs safety!

The remainder of our walk was uneventful, but all day long I couldn’t stop thinking: “what in the doodle do I do, if we are approached by an aggressive dog.”

I read a few articles, but they really didn’t describe me. I cannot see myself “letting go of their leashes” for my safety? Harley’s legs couldn’t sustain a dog twice his size munching on it like a“two piece” special from KFC.

I know myself, I’m gonna get engaged. Then what?

Here’s what I found from ALou Patterson, Yahoo Contributor Network

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR DOG FROM OTHER DOGS WHILE TAKING A WALK

Three Simple Steps Will Prepare You to Face an Aggressive Dog

“Taking your dog for a walk is supposed to be a pleasant experience for you both. It’s a time for you to bond with your dog and for the two of you to get some exercise. But what would you do if another dog attacked you and your dog? Are you prepared to protect yourself and your dog while out on a walk? A friend of mine has three very small dogs and recently had to deal with this type of situation.

She was walking with her three Chihuahua-mixes at the local high-school athletic field when a very large dog spotted them and started to run over. My friend is a bit timid, but is very protective of her beloved friends, yet she was unprepared to face an aggressive dog. Fortunately in this instance, the owner of the larger dog was nearby and was able to get it under control. Perhaps the dog was friendly and just curious, but my friend had no idea whether the outcome of such an encounter would have ended badly or not. Her first response was fear, which the large dog would have sensed immediately. Making matters worse, her little dogs are typical for their breed: fearless and vocal. This combination of factors would have likely caused the larger dog to react defensively. It could have been a very bad ending indeed.

So what should you do to be prepared to defend yourself and your dog (or dogs) while you’re out walking?

First and foremost, be prepared to keep a calm but assertive posture at the approach of any dog. Dogs sense fear, but they also sense a dominant energy. How you feel and how you hold yourself are your first line of defense. Stand up straight with your shoulders back. Don’t be afraid to “puff yourself up” a bit. Don’t yell or scream at the dog. Use only an authoritative, assertive voice to command the dog to get back. In most cases, this will be enough to maintain control over the situation as long as you have control over your own dog.

So secondly, if you don’t already, you need to learn how to walk your dog(s) properly. If your dog is in the lead and out in front of you, especially if he or she is pulling at the leash, you arenot in control of your dog. This goes back to your energy. You must always project a calm and assertive energy toward your dogs, especially during a walk, which elevates you to the leader. If you don’t already have control of your dog during walks, it may be time for both of you to get some training. Whether you receive formal obedience training (and use commands such as “heel” and “stay”) or just learn to master the walk by watching experts such as Victoria Stilwell on Animal Planet (It’s Me or The Dog) or Cesar Milan on The National Geographic Channel (The Dog Whisperer), you’ll find that you and your dog enjoy taking walks together more with you in charge.

Third, consider carrying either dog repellent spray or regular pepper spray with you every time you take your dog out for a walk. As I mentioned above, your calm, assertive energy and being in control of your dog will, in most cases, be enough to handle any dog that approaches you. It’s better to be safe, however, than sorry. In case feelings of fear overtake you, and you lose control over your dogs, or the dog that approaches you is in full-attack mode for whatever reason, dog repellent spray may very well save your dog or you from serious injury.

Mace Brand makes an excellent dog repellent spray called Muzzle. This pepper spray is EPA approved, is safe, effective and humane. It’s also easy to use and convenient to carry, either on your belt or key chain. You can spray it up to 10 feet away from the offending canine.

If you need to use the spray, be prepared to spray your own dog as well, unless you have time to spray the attacking dog before it reaches you and your dog. Don’t worry about harming your dog. Dog repellent sprays, which are simply pepper sprays formulated specifically for use against dogs, are made to be effective, but cause only temporary discomfort. Aim for the attacker’s eyes. Once you’ve used the spray, the aggressive dog should back down immediately and focus on its stinging eyes. If you feel it’s necessary, spray the dog again, make sure you have your dog in control and back away slowly. Resist the urge to run. Take a deep breath, and calmly remove yourself and your dog from the situation.

Do your best to avoid yelling and screaming during any encounter with a dog. Remember that you are supposed to remain calm and assertive and any other response will only serve to escalate the aggression. Speak with assertiveness and authority and only loud enough to get your point across.

You don’t have to be paranoid when out walking with your dog, just prepared. Think through a scenario where you may have to face an aggressive dog. Imagine yourself staying calm and assertive. Imagine yourself using the dog repellent spray and then removing yourself and your dog from the situation. Chances are, you may never have to deal with an aggressive dog, but if you have a plan of action, you’ll be ready to defend yourself and your canine companion. Above all, enjoy the time you spend with your dog. Their lives are short, which only makes them more precious. Now … go hug your dog!”

I’ve never seen this dog walker or his dogs before, but its made me think that I need a plan. I do not walk with a stick or a baseball bat. I’m doing good managing Harley, Leo, and Wilson – HA!…

These three (yes, I’m including the ball) are a handful

What do YOU carry with you? What’s YOUR plan (God forbid) if you’re walking your dog and encounter an aggressive “larger” dog in your path?

I also found a link (worth reading) with some helpful information for “anyone” with the misfortune of coming in contact with an aggressive dog “of any size” while taking a walk…

HOW TO HANDLE A DOG ATTACK

Until I can figure out what will work for me and my Boys, I guess DH will have to join us on Sunday mornings for a while…

Introducing my “Doodle Bodyguard”

Thanks for reading, and please share your thoughts – I’m really interested.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

I agree with you Hua, I don't have to deal with "off-leash" big dogs, but Charlie sounds just like my two, always thinking this is a play meeting. I spoke to a policeman friend of ours and he is advising me to get a dog repellent "stream" that doesn't blow backwards like a "spray" and it is very effective, and not fatal. So far I haven't seen the two dogs and the man again, but then it's not Sunday yet! I wish folks wouldn't let their dogs off leash though if they know they are aggressive. You and Charlie please be safe out there. Thanks for reading

[Hua]

That's one of my biggest fear as well.  There are lots of big dogs around my townhouse complex, and there is this huge playground/green space beside it and lots of the owners have their big dog off leash even though I don't think it was allowed (and dangerous considering there's a main road right beside it).  There were a couple of times that an off leash big dog would run towards me and Charlie when we are out for walk.  Charlie being Charlie always think they want to play and will try to run towards them.  My first instinct is always stand my ground, pull Charlie behind me and kinda stare down on the approaching dog in a if-you-come-any-closer-i-will-kick-you-in-the-face kind of way. They generally back down or get called back by their owners. 

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hi Joanna, I can sooooo relate to everything you just wrote! Doodles are lovers not necessarily fighters so I really wanted to know what other doodle moms and dads may have thought about this too. Take care and as always, thanks for reading, and thanks for sharing.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Oh Lori - I am so sorry you have to go through that every time you want to leave the house. I hope there were some helpful hints from the blog post that may work for you. Do they keep the dog tied up outside all the time? Even though he seems frightening, I sort of feel sorry for the animal, doesn't sound as if he's given quality attention. I pray something changes soon for you. Take care and keep in touch.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hi Joe - You could be right, my husband said the same thing. Leo once growled a strange and frightening noise when a jogger sort of crept up behind me, he leaned into me as if he wanted to be this protective wall. I hope to God I never have to experience what some readers have shared about this same subject, it's just so frightening. Thanks for sharing, I'm sure instinctively I'll know what to do that's best, just don't want to be tested. Take care

[Joe R.]

Cathy. You might be surprised at what Leo and Harley might do.  A couple years ago when I had Gus and Lilly out for a walk around our neighborhood a dog came running/barking down the street towards us. To my  surprise Lilly came around me and got between Gus, me and this dog. She got in a low crouch and gave a growl I've never heard from her. Stopped this dog dead in it's tracks. It turned and promptly ran the other  way.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

There is an aggressive dog that lives in the house that is at the foot of our very long driveway.  We have to drive Quincy down the driveway because of the electric fence (he never is allowed to walk past the boundary) and if that dog is out - even though on a leash- I do not get out of the car.  My husband walks the opposite way.  This dog is a mean sounding barker who lunges and I don't trust him at all.  HIs male owner can seemingly handle him, but I have seen the wife with their 2 year old ON  A TRICYCLE or  pushing a stroller trying to walk the dog and keep an eye on the baby on our busy, no sidewalk road.  crazy.  

Great article- thanks!   

  

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Oh Cathy! I fear this every single day!  I for one am fearful of larger dogs and even if they are friendly am hesitant to pet one if the owner isn't around.  

The other day I saw the friendliest German shepherd at my works parking garage and he was lost.  I froze and didn't know what to do.  I waited until someone was out and helping him before I left but I can kick myself in the butt because what if something happened to him (like run out into the street).  

thank you for all your links too.  When I walk Ben and Zoe I do often think of what I would do if an aggressive dog approached us or even a coyote.  Ben is dog-aggressive so I know I can't quietly shy away from this situation.  I fear that Ben would get into a fight, I fear that Zoe will run away and I will lose her, I fear so much and the thought makes me want to cry!  Dog repellant is an excellent idea!!!!  Thanks Cathy!