We are out for a walk everything is great until suddenly along comes Brutus with his mastiff Thor; yes you guessed it I’m tough and my dogs tougher. So we do the right thing and as soon as we see them we clip the lead on, but Brutus knows best and refuses to restrain his dog, seemingly taking great delight in your peril. How do we handle this? First thing, consider the dangers, if we can avoid the situation we do, turn and go back the other way leading the dog to safety. If this is not possible always remain calm try to place yourself between the attacking dog and your dog by using a very short lead and holding your dog behind you, give no eye contact to the attacking dog walking slowly backwards, make no verbal warnings!, eventually the attacking dog will realise there is nothing to gain become board and leave you alone.
By staying calm and giving no eye contact we have told the dog I am not a threat please leave me alone. If however we start shouting and screaming at the dog or his irresponsible owner, we make the likelihood of an attack more likely. In the wolf pack, if the alpha leader was confronted by a superior force this is exactly how he would handle it, Become that great leader.
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