What Do You Do If An Off-Leash Dog Approaches You While You Are Walking A Dog?

Generally, off-leash dogs love to play, run and explore the world without the obstacle of a leash.

However, an off-leash dog can be very dangerous and disrespectful to the community.

Taking a casual walk with a dog is likely to sabotage if you are approaching an unleashed or uncontrolled dog.

It can be difficult for you to understand the approaching dog’s intent or how your dog will interact with it.

Therefore, it is essential to learn tips on handling an off-leash dog coming towards you while strolling with a dog.

Read on to know more about what you should do if an off-leash dog approaches you while walking with a dog.

Tips for Handling an Off-Leash Dog Approaching

Watch Your Dog

It is essential to be observant of your dog’s psychology and body movement.

Your dog is likely to notice the strange dog earlier before you do.

If it shows any changes in body gestures, then you should take immediate action.

Such signs of aggression or fear from your dog will mean that you need to divert your dog’s concentration and walk away.

Signs of aggression and excitement sometimes may appear similar.

Therefore, if your dog is becoming leash reactive (check these leather leashes), it will be safer to avoid the confrontation.

Distract it With Treats

People who carry high-value treats when walking with their dogs may have an easy time controlling their dog if they use it to direct both their dog and the other dog.

This method is helpful as it gives you time to leave the place and keep away from confronting the other dog.

So, to do it effectively, ensure that you throw away the treats as far as possible so that your dog doesn’t get enticed to go for them too.

This tactic is likely to go well with a friendly dog since it can easily get distracted.

However, in some cases, an aggressive dog may also fall for this trick.

Try to throw multiple treats away to and even some behind the approaching dog to keep it occupied..

Make an Effort to Direct the Dog Vocally

As the dog walks closer, try to make some general vocal instructions to attract the other dog’s attention and redirect them.

As you make the general verbal commands, do it in a low sombre tone to get the attention of the approaching dog.

This tactic will make the approaching dog stop for some time enough to allow you and your pet to walk away.

Do not yell or show signs of aggression since this cause fear and provoke both dogs.

Instead, make the commands authoritatively for them to be effective.

This tactic is likely to work best for the unsure or friendly dog, but it may be difficult for a territorial or aggressive dog to understand your commands unless the dogs are trained.

Keep Calm and Continue Walking

If you note a change in your dog’s anxiety and body language, maintain your calmness and continue walking to help your pet stay calm.

Likewise, if you want to make any vocal commands or movements, they should be done slowly, composedly and in a gentle manner.

Running is never advised because it can provoke the dog to charge, increasing anxiety of the situation for both dogs.

Instead, you can opt to walk away casually not to scare the approaching dog or your dog.

This type of approach is normally effective for territorial behaviours.

If the approaching dog shows aggressive body language, you should not turn your back on it since it can cause unnecessary drama.

Instead, try to walk at a 90-degree angle away from the approaching dog to keep it in your sight-line but still keeping your dog safe.

Protect Yourself and The Dog

If the dog approaching is aggressive and opts to attack, you can also get physical to defend yourself and your dog.

For example, you can make a swift push kick to the other dog’s chest to confuse it for some time and allow you to get away easily with your dog.

If the other dog tries to grab yours, don’t attempt to separate the two dogs since you are likely to get bitten, and it could be dangerous.

Instead, you can get behind the approaching dog, grab its back legs and pull up and move them away.

If the situation gets serious, you can injure the other dog to save your dog and yourself.

So What Should I Do When Walking My Dog And An Off Leash Dog Approaches?

Hopefully, the above tactics can help you know what to do when an off-leash dog approaches you while you are walking a dog.

Walking a dog requires you to be prepared to face strange dogs that may try to attack or scare away your dog.

Therefore, it is essential to understand your environment and control your dog despite its distractions in any situation.