BEDFORD HEIGHTS, Ohio — It can ruin a relaxing walk in an instant.
Here's the scenario: You and your dog are out stretching your legs and minding your own business when an off-leash dog charges your way.
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More often than not, the offending canine is friendly and means no harm. But what if that loose dog is aggressive? Knowing what to do, and what not to do can improve your chances of avoiding attack.
We visited Valarie Ross-Smith of Sits 'n Wiggles positive reinforcement dog training for this important lesson.
Your immediate instincts may lean toward running away. But unless safety is a few steps away, there's a good chance you can't outrun the approaching dog. And going into "flight mode" can trigger an aggressive dog as well.
"Stop! Go home! We want to kind of back up, giving them space," Ross-Smith demonstrated.
Hopefully the dog's owner is nearby and can spring into action.
"My biggest thing is the owner needs to be coming and getting their dog and putting it back on leash," Ross-Smith said.
If not, another option is to use food to divert attention.
"Another effective technique is grabbing some treats out of your treat pouch and actually throwing it at the dog's face. It kind of distracts the dog."
Ross-Smith also demonstrates how to create a physical barrier between the aggressive dog and your pup.
"If the dog is still approaching, you do want to try and get your dog back behind you. You don't want to try to break up a dog fight. And dog fights often happen with an off-leash dog approaching an on-leash dog. So try to put yourself in between you and your dog."
Avoid the temptation to pick up your dog. That may trigger the aggressor to jump and attack you both.
For situations like this, Ross-Smith says carrying a spray shield repellent can help, especially if you want to break up a dog fight.
"We're never going to use it as training or punishment for our dogs, but whenever we are talking about a safety issue, we have to do what we have to do," Ross-Smith said.
If an attack does happen, use whatever tools you have to protect yourself, whether it's a bag, shoe, leash or an umbrella.
"If you're walking with an umbrella, popping that open and using it as a barrier can be a helpful way to help out."