Talking Dogs: Stay calm around dogs on the loose

Talking Dogs: Stay calm around dogs on the loose

Responsible dog owners know how important it is to obey ordinances by walking their dogs on a leash, as well as picking up after them.

Dog lover or not, no one likes stepping in the "deposit" left by a dog. Perhaps more frustrating and possibly dangerous, however, is encountering loose and unsupervised dogs while enjoying a walk with your own dog.

Preventive measures are often the best approach regarding this situation. Although it takes a bit of extra effort, it may be wise to drive to a location where you can walk with your dog without fear of encountering dogs on the loose. A quick drive through a neighborhood or park area where you plan to walk can give you a good idea of whether or not unleashed dogs are around.

If you notice a loose dog at a distance, change direction and quietly move away and out of sight. Don't run, as this may draw attention to you and your own dog, but be willing to alter your walking route to avoid loose dogs.

If you are surprised by the presence of an unfamiliar and unrestrained dog, remain calm and quiet. Having a solid sit/stay behavior on your own dog can come in handy in these situations. Most dogs are just curious and want to get close to sniff at your dog, but if your dog remains in a sit/stay with you, there is no invitation given for the loose dog to come in for a close inspection. If your dog is out of control, on the other hand, barking, lunging or just pulling you toward the other dog, then the loose dog is more likely to move in for interaction. Teach your dog a solid sit/stay and proof it around a host of distractions, so that it is useful to you when encountering a loose dog.

Carrying a black pop-out umbrella can be of great benefit when encountering a loose dog. You can stop walking, place your dog on a sit/stay, pop open the umbrella and use it as a physical and visual shield. By standing still and moving the umbrella as the unknown dog moves around you, you can prevent him from getting a good look at your dog. If the unfamiliar dog comes in close, you can also use the umbrella to abruptly "push" the dog away, often without making physical contact.

Although dogs are curious, they do lose interest rather quickly. If the unknown dog attempts to check out your dog but is thwarted at every turn by the umbrella, it is highly likely that he will lose interest and move on to something more interesting and attainable. Remain still and quiet until he is quite a distance away before resuming your walk.

Carrying pepper spray may increase your comfort level, but this product should be used with caution. Under breezy conditions, the spray can come into contact with you or your own dog. While pepper spray doesn't do any permanent damage, it can be quite uncomfortable to bear.

In any of these situations, once you and your dog are safe, be sure to report any loose and unsupervised dog you encounter to your department of animal services. Whether the unfamiliar dog is unfriendly or not, loose dogs represent a hazard to pedestrians and drivers, neighborhood children and cats. On New Year's Day, a woman was attacked by a neighbor's three loose boxers as she walked in her almond orchards near Hughson. She spent more than eight hours in the emergency room being treated for the bites.

Report any loose dog you see, and perhaps save a life -- dogs properly contained can't do harm to others, or get hit by a car themselves.

Irresponsible owners who are unwilling to properly supervise and confine their dogs are the real offenders in these situations, and should be held accountable.