Loose dogs on walks and during training

[Robk12]

Hi there, i was wondering what sort of attitude i should adopt when a loose dog approaches my dog and I when we are training and walking through the park. I haven't had a problem with strays it's mostly irresponsible owners who let there dogs off leash and have no control for over them. I don't like my dogs to interact with dogs that i don't know are safe, especially if they are off leash and not listening to there owners. One of my dogs is a working dog in PPD program and the other is rescue with previous trauma caused by a dog fight.

Today i was walking/working my Doberman ( PPD) in the park when a large husky who either got away or was allowed to run off by a little girl maybe 7-10 years old. When the dog approached and it was clear he was coming toward us I turned told my dog to sit in heel position stood in front of him and gave the dog a firm no, the girl was chasing and calling the dog with no reaction. He didn't move forward and so i turned my back (my mistake) to walk away. The dog moved closer I again turned and gave the dog another firmer NO at this point my Doberman fired up and bark like crazy for about 5 seconds and the husky bolted back toward the girl. I corrected the dog for braking the sit during inappropriate outburst, he was silent and a walked him away.


Is there a better way to deal with this? i don't want that dog coming close if i can't trust him and i don't want to teach my dog that outbursts like that are the thing to do in that situation.

Thanks for any help,

Rob

[Mike D'Abruzzo]

Two words: Spray Shield

The best thing ever for those situations. I ran a drill using it once in our aggression support group. I will post it at some point. Good fun it was!

It is harmless to dogs - it just startles them and it is easier to remain calm, confident, and poised. I just step in front of my dog, wait for the approaching dog to come within about 10 feet, and then startle them by spraying at the nose. Almost always works as a PREVENTATIVE. Not that great if you wait for something to break out. Spray shield has saved me a lot of grief on many occasions. If an owner gets annoyed, they shouldn't have had their dog off leash anyway and you may have done them a favor of preventing a dog fight.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ADw9ao_Dn9csQM:http://www.valleyvet.com/swatches/23486_L_vvs_000.jpg

[Robk12]

That's a miracle product, that would have saved my dogs and I so much stress. I'll find a place and order some right away.

Thanks

Rob

[SteveKesslerCFDT]

Hi all,
I'm walking to my car and as I approach I notice an off leash Pit approaching along the sidewalk. No ID tag, brindle, well fed with taill high in the air and hackles rising. I calmly put my red nose Chica in a sit stay. Like Eastwood in Unforgiven, we remain calm. I reach in my pocket and pull out my ever present Spray Shield. Wait for the dog to close to about four feet, and give it a nice spurt on the nose. The dog circles, comes back so I calmly spray him again. His tail drops, and he trots off. Props to Chica for keeping her cool. I open the car and Chica hops in. A sure dogfight became nothing more than a satisfying moment.

Steve

[Mike D'Abruzzo]

I have the staff carry it at the humane society now. Saved dogs and myself so many times from bites.

Now what I do is that i make sure it is holstered on the side opposite of the hand holding the leash - and even position the can so it is already pointed foward.

Clint Eastwood style does work best - but you also want to be in position for Billy the Kid style for quick surprises!