LOOSE DOGS AND DOG OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES

I like to walk my dog in the early morning.  I enjoy the calm and the sounds of nature at that time.  I also walk her at that time because she has “issues.”  Poor breeding, a rough start to life, she is not the kind of dog I have always raised before. She simply has never liked other dogs - she actually fears them - so my early walks began as a way to get some exercise without causing her distress.   There are still times I have encountered other dogs off lead and off their property.  I call to the owner (hoping, of course, that he is somewhere nearby) asking him to please get his loose dog.  Too many times, if there is a response, it comes back as something like “Oh, Barky is friendly!  He loves people and dogs.”  To which I, unfortunately, must respond, “But my dog doesn’t! Please get your dog!” 

Management via leash or fence or voice control is necessary. It is a State of Tennessee law which counties must enforce. It is also a requirement because of the sad fact that any dog will bite.  Yes, even yours.  Given certain conditions, even a normally fun-loving, easy-going dog will place its teeth on another person or animal.   Consider Barky - he is a sweet and loving dog, but he hurt his paw. And, he does not like thunderstorms.  Last night, someone walked by with a dog and the dog scared Barky by putting out a frightening, aggressive display.   Now, there’s thunder in the distance, Barky just stepped wrong on the hurt paw, and here comes another strange dog down the street.   While no one of these events taken singly might cause Barky to bite, the combination may prove to be just too much.  Sweet, loving, unrestrained Barky strikes out as the person walks by with his dog. Barky surpassed his bite threshold and was unable to restrain himself through a combination of stressful conditions. 

Let’s consider what you, the person just out for a stroll, can do in the event you are confronted by an unfriendly dog. First, never stare at the dog who is confronting you.  Stares are challenges in the dog world.  You do not want to start a fight with a being who comes equipped with a mouth full of knives.  Instead, slowly turn your body slightly sideways and look down while keeping the dog in your peripheral vision (an appeasing signal for dogs).  Be a tree.   Movement will only encourage the dog to attack. Eventually, the dog should move away.  Please check out www.doggonesafe.com for more information. You can carry a pop up umbrella with big eyes painted on it and open it if the dog starts to approach you.  Many dogs will retreat when they see those big eyes.  If you are carrying the umbrella while you are walking your own dog, be sure to desensitize him to the popping first.  Another strategy is to carry treats with you and throw them to the side of or behind the unfriendly dog.  Hopefully, the dog will become more interested in the treats than you or your dog. Pepper spray is popular, but has the danger of blowing back into your face, so consider using a citronella spray (Spray Shield is one brand).  The smell is highly adversive to dogs, but not harmful.  Some trainers have suggested using an air horn to deter an attacking dog, but you should again desensitize your dog to that sound before trying it on a walk.  Train your dog in advance to do a quick u-turn on cue so it can be easily implemented when you need to make your getaway.

Obviously, the burden of controlling the loose dog should fall on the shoulders of the owner.   No one should have to resort to trying any of the above tactics to stay safe.  While it is easier to just let a dog run, every owner has a legal and moral responsibility to keep the community safe.  Owners need to monitor their dogs at all times, and, when they can’t, the dog should be safely restrained behind a fence, on lead, or in the house.  Know what bothers your dog.  Make an effort to keep the dog from being exposed to multiple stressors. If Barky is afraid of fireworks and is uncertain of children, do not set him up for failure by allowing him to be around children during a fireworks display.  Give him someplace safe away from that which causes him concern. 

A special note - it should be obvious to owners who think their dog may have aggressive tendencies that seeking the help of their veterinarian or a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a Veterinary Behaviorist is imperative.  Anyone can legally call himself a dog behaviorist, so it is important to look for the appropriate credentials.  No one should try to handle this by reading an article and definitely not by watching a television program.   There is a reason for the disclaimer of “Don’t try this at home.” 

Now, go take a safe and happy walk with your dog.  It will be good for both of you!