I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels to me that taking dogs out for a walk resemble stepping into a dangerous zone or a battleground. Now, hear me out, I know it sounds like an exaggeration but I just think that one should prepare for all sorts of possible encounters as if going to an unknown mission of some sorts. I think this is especially true in rural areas- and for sure one of the things I miss the most about not living in the Bay area any longer where encounters of this kind where less and in between.
What I am talking about is the possibility of finding roaming dogs who either on their own or with a few of their pals might come after my dogs. I realize that not all dogs that wander are “mean” or bullies or compulsive fighters but the problem is that when on a walk, one is confronted with a loose (no owner in sight) dog you have seconds- just seconds to ascertain the intent of the dog as he/she approaches you and your pup. Also, a dog that on its own might not attack your dog, but most likely though, it would behave very differently when in company of its own group.
I peeked one morning out of my bathroom window before we had a fence to prevent strays to coming to say “hi” only to find two unneutered large dogs busy smelling something. As I watched them they took off clearly done smelling whatever it was they found so compelling. On another morning, John and I were looking at the view when we saw five coyotes in our next-door neighbors front yard, just hanging out.
I think of how much I would enjoy wildlife visiting me at home if I did not have dogs that might chase them or dogs that might get hurt by a wild animal. I have been talking to other trainers and a few of my client’s and they had shared with me stories of their dogs being attacked mainly by dogs but there were also in the lot some “coyote” stories.
As a professional trainer I have thought about things owners of their dogs can do if they happened to come across aggressive dogs or wildlife (such as coyotes). I have put some of these strategies to use with good success. The goal here, of course, is to be able to protect your dog(s) while making sure that whatever technique you use you do not make permanent emotional harm to your dog.
I take the safety of my dogs so seriously that I have several different packs I use depending on where I am going hiking or the weather. One of my favorites though is a vest that has lots and lots of well-placed pockets and here is where I can take my secret “weaponry”. Here are some of my tips for your hopefully never-happening encounter.
Carry with you some really tasty treats. These you cannot only give your dog for excellent behavior but you can toss away from you and towards the stranger dog in hopes that he/she will find them delectable while you make your escape. Take with you a small umbrella that will open up with the push of one button. This is probably one of the best items you can have in the event of either a dog, or a coyote getting too close to you and your dogs. You are counting on startling the animal. It is possible of course that the animal might not startle but I think most likely it will. Yes, indeed there are no guarantees! I also have in my stash a product called Direct Stop, which is a citronella spray one can use by pointing the nozzle at the dog’s nose and mouth area. This spray will not hurt or irritate the membranes of eyes and nose like pepper spray will but it can still be a good deterrent.
I know of two other products that might be very good in deterring an attack but one must first spend the time desensitization and counter-conditioning dogs (that would be your dog) who are sensitive to loud noises or even strange noises. I have just started working with Deuce and Rio with a horn – similar to the ones used when sailing and another product called Pet Corrector, which is basically compressed air, which makes a sort-of-loud hissy sound. Both of these two noises (the horn and the compressed air) can be very aversive to some dogs.
I have done three sessions using these products with Deuce and Rioja. Rioja thought the practice was a piece of cake and enjoyed getting chicken skin but Deuce on the other hand… he was not able to tolerate the noise. For him both these products were so aversive that he was unable to eat the chicken! So think about it, if I ever use these two noisy options I would be punishing Deuce as well.
You might think that in the case of a real emergency this is justifiable- and it might be. But it is important to realize that such an aversive experience for a dog could backfire in unpredictable ways. Deuce, who is very dog friendly, might become afraid of all dogs, or dogs with, for example, long hair, if the dog attacking had long hair. This is again, classical conditioning (the pairing of stimuli) at its best.
For my part, I will continue to practice with both dogs so that they learn that hearing any of these noises means great news to them. I don’t think I will use any one of these products until I can be absolutely sure that in the process of defending my own dogs I won’t do more harm than good. In the meantime, I will continue to exercise common sense as to where I walk them, use some of the less aversive techniques as I cross my fingers so that all our outings continue to be fun and safe.
What I am talking about is the possibility of finding roaming dogs who either on their own or with a few of their pals might come after my dogs. I realize that not all dogs that wander are “mean” or bullies or compulsive fighters but the problem is that when on a walk, one is confronted with a loose (no owner in sight) dog you have seconds- just seconds to ascertain the intent of the dog as he/she approaches you and your pup. Also, a dog that on its own might not attack your dog, but most likely though, it would behave very differently when in company of its own group.
I peeked one morning out of my bathroom window before we had a fence to prevent strays to coming to say “hi” only to find two unneutered large dogs busy smelling something. As I watched them they took off clearly done smelling whatever it was they found so compelling. On another morning, John and I were looking at the view when we saw five coyotes in our next-door neighbors front yard, just hanging out.
I think of how much I would enjoy wildlife visiting me at home if I did not have dogs that might chase them or dogs that might get hurt by a wild animal. I have been talking to other trainers and a few of my client’s and they had shared with me stories of their dogs being attacked mainly by dogs but there were also in the lot some “coyote” stories.
As a professional trainer I have thought about things owners of their dogs can do if they happened to come across aggressive dogs or wildlife (such as coyotes). I have put some of these strategies to use with good success. The goal here, of course, is to be able to protect your dog(s) while making sure that whatever technique you use you do not make permanent emotional harm to your dog.
I take the safety of my dogs so seriously that I have several different packs I use depending on where I am going hiking or the weather. One of my favorites though is a vest that has lots and lots of well-placed pockets and here is where I can take my secret “weaponry”. Here are some of my tips for your hopefully never-happening encounter.
Carry with you some really tasty treats. These you cannot only give your dog for excellent behavior but you can toss away from you and towards the stranger dog in hopes that he/she will find them delectable while you make your escape. Take with you a small umbrella that will open up with the push of one button. This is probably one of the best items you can have in the event of either a dog, or a coyote getting too close to you and your dogs. You are counting on startling the animal. It is possible of course that the animal might not startle but I think most likely it will. Yes, indeed there are no guarantees! I also have in my stash a product called Direct Stop, which is a citronella spray one can use by pointing the nozzle at the dog’s nose and mouth area. This spray will not hurt or irritate the membranes of eyes and nose like pepper spray will but it can still be a good deterrent.
I know of two other products that might be very good in deterring an attack but one must first spend the time desensitization and counter-conditioning dogs (that would be your dog) who are sensitive to loud noises or even strange noises. I have just started working with Deuce and Rio with a horn – similar to the ones used when sailing and another product called Pet Corrector, which is basically compressed air, which makes a sort-of-loud hissy sound. Both of these two noises (the horn and the compressed air) can be very aversive to some dogs.
I have done three sessions using these products with Deuce and Rioja. Rioja thought the practice was a piece of cake and enjoyed getting chicken skin but Deuce on the other hand… he was not able to tolerate the noise. For him both these products were so aversive that he was unable to eat the chicken! So think about it, if I ever use these two noisy options I would be punishing Deuce as well.
You might think that in the case of a real emergency this is justifiable- and it might be. But it is important to realize that such an aversive experience for a dog could backfire in unpredictable ways. Deuce, who is very dog friendly, might become afraid of all dogs, or dogs with, for example, long hair, if the dog attacking had long hair. This is again, classical conditioning (the pairing of stimuli) at its best.
For my part, I will continue to practice with both dogs so that they learn that hearing any of these noises means great news to them. I don’t think I will use any one of these products until I can be absolutely sure that in the process of defending my own dogs I won’t do more harm than good. In the meantime, I will continue to exercise common sense as to where I walk them, use some of the less aversive techniques as I cross my fingers so that all our outings continue to be fun and safe.
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