Fall is on the way and the cold weather is coming. So, every time there’s sun and warmth, I take the opportunity to gather the last of the season and walk around my neighborhood.  Last week as I passed a car parked in a driveway, and a dog came running out from behind the car and lunged at me.  Luckily, he was tied up.  But it reminded me of the time my husband was walking our Sheltie, and a woman opened the front door of her house, and out jumped a big black dog who immediately dashed down the stairs to the sidewalk and attacked my dog.   The woman had intended to tie the dog but had lost her grip. She was apologetic and my dog left with just the lost of his fur, but we became alert after that.

And what did the owner of that dog who scared the daylights out of me have to say about his dog lunging out at me.  He yelled at him not to do that.  Mmm….I doubt the dog will listen.  I now walk on the other side of the street. That is the easiest way to avoid a dog with a bad attitude. However, here are some other possible solutions.

• Loud horn such as those used at hockey and baseball games.  (Air Horn – available at Uline)
• Citronella spray – available at Pet Stores like Pet Smart.
• Pick up your dog – but if at all possible don’t keep the dog in your arms as you may be attacked also.  Toss your dog out of site or in a safe place like over in someone’s fenced yard or even in a dumpster.   (Please only do this if you have the time as the attacking dog will likely jump on you to get to your dog.)
• Carry a walking stick and use it.
• Better yet, carry dog food with you and toss it to the dog to distract it.
• Yell at the attacking dog at the top of your lungs.  I did this once and half the neighborhood came out to see what the heck was going on…and the dog stopped in his track. My dog didn’t even look at me. You’d think he heard me yell like that every day!

I wouldn’t be afraid of walking by this sleepy head.

The above photo is courtesy of Lauren Kay at Unsplash.