If you’re like me, you love taking your dog for a walk in the park. It’s always enjoyable to get some fresh air and exercise, and it’s especially nice when there are other dogs around to play with. 
However, sometimes an off-leash dog will approach your dog while they’re on their walk, which can be very scary, especially if you’re not familiar with that dog. In this post, I’ll share some tips on how to stop an off-leash dog from approaching your dog.
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10 Tools to Stop an Off-Leash Dog From Approaching Your Dog:
Always Be Aware and Prepared
The best way to stop an off-leash dog from approaching your dog is to be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for anything. If you see an off-leash dog in the distance, take a different route or turn around. If you’re walking in an area where there are known to be off-leash dogs, carry a can of pepper spray or a stick with you. And, most importantly, keep your dog on a leash at all times.
Positive reinforcement – Rewarding your dog for good behavior is a great way to train them to stay away from other dogs. Try giving them a treat or some praise when they walk past another dog without stopping.
Negative reinforcement – This involves making your dog uncomfortable when they try to approach another dog. For example, you could hold their leash tight so they can’t move forward, or make a loud noise (like clapping your hands) to startle them.
Desensitization – if your dog is scared of other dogs, this technique can help them get used to the idea of being around them. Start by showing them pictures or videos of dogs, then gradually expose them to real-life situations, like being in the same room as a dog or walking past a dog on a leash.
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Counterconditioning – This is similar to desensitization, but instead of just exposure, you’re also teaching your dog to associate something positive (like treats) with being around other dogs. So, for example, you would give them a treat every time they see another dog.
Avoidance – if all else fails, you can always try to avoid the situation altogether by changing your route or walking at a different time of day when there are fewer dogs around.
Asking for help – Sometimes it’s helpful to ask another person for help, like if you have a friend who can hold the other dog’s leash while you walk past, or if there’s a park ranger or dog warden nearby.
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Carrying a weapon – This is definitely a last resort, but if you feel like you or your dog are in danger, you can try carrying a weapon, like pepper spray or a stun gun.
Using a barrier – if you can’t avoid the situation, you can try to create a physical barrier between your dog and the other dog by putting up a fence or using an umbrella.
Training your dog – One of the best ways to stop an off-leash dog from approaching your dog is to train them to respond to commands like “sit” or “stay.” This way, you can keep them under control even if they’re off-leash.
Being assertive – Finally, it’s important to be assertive with the other dog owner. If they’re not keeping their dog under control, politely ask them to leash their dog or move away from you. If they don’t listen, you can always call the police or animal control.
These are just a few of the many ways you can stop an off-leash dog from approaching your dog. Just remember to stay calm and be as assertive as possible with the other owner. And if you ever feel like you or your dog is in danger, don’t hesitate to call the police.
3 Helpful Behaviors to Train
While tools like barking collars and electric fences can be helpful in deterring dogs, it’s also important to train your dog to respond to certain commands. This way, you’ll be able to redirect your dog’s attention at a moment’s notice.
Training should start in low-distraction areas, like your home or backyard. With lots of repetition, your dog will soon respond reflexively. Here are some helpful behaviors to train:
Train an Emergency U-Turn
One of the most useful commands you can teach your dog is an emergency u-turn. This will come in handy if you’re ever walking on a narrow path and an off-leash dog approaches from the front or back. To train this behavior, start by walking in a straight line with your dog on a leash.
When another dog appears, say “U-turn” in a firm voice and turn around quickly. As you’re turning, hold the leash tight so your dog can’t move forward. Reward them with a treat when they follow your command.
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Train an Attention cue
It’s also important to train an attention cue, like a clicker or a word like “watch.” This will come in handy when you need to get your dog’s attention quickly. To train it, start by holding a treat in your hand and saying your attention cue. When your dog looks at you, click the clicker or say “yes” and give them the treat. With lots of repetition, your dog will soon associate the cue with getting a treat.
Train Them to Leave It
The leave-it commands is another helpful behavior to train. This will come in handy if an off-leash dog approaches while your dog is eating or playing with a toy. To train this behavior, put your dog on a leash and give them a treat.
As they’re eating the treat, say “leave it” in a firm voice. If they try to take the treat away, quickly say “no” and lead them back to their original spot. Reward them with a treat when they leave the treat alone.
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These are just a few of the many helpful behaviors you can train your dog. With lots of repetition, your dog will soon respond reflexively to these commands. And in the event that an off-leash dog does approach, you’ll be able to keep your dog under control.
