Owner of reactive dog should act fast to avoid confrontation
Published 4:07 pm, Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Q: My large dog is afraid of small dogs and reacts by snapping at them if they get too close. I've met many clueless owners who walk their small dogs off leash, and when their dog approaches mine, I try to warn them that my dog isn't friendly, but they always dismiss me by saying, "Oh, she's not afraid of big dogs." How can I get these people to understand that it's my dog that's fearful of theirs, and he'll respond accordingly?
A: A good rule to follow regarding dog meetings is like that with children and dogs - ask for permission first. But because that isn't the case, owners of fearful or reactive dogs need a plan. Most owners of friendly dogs assume that other dogs are like theirs. When warned away from another dog, these people are sometimes so startled they can't take prompt action, or they don't believe you and let their dogs approach anyway. Then, if there's an incident, they blame your "aggressive dog." Because unexpected meetings do occur, I've found it's best for the owner of the reactive dog to forget about who's to blame and instead be prepared to take prompt action to avoid a confrontation.
I recommend that you stop abruptly, face the oncoming person and dog and raise your leash over your head to indicate that he is leashed. Say something like "he's not friendly," or even "he's a jerk" in a loud voice, and step in front of your dog if possible. You can also try saying "he's sick," which works sometimes, as people don't want their dogs to catch anything. If you tell them "he's afraid," the other person may well try to help him get over his fear by continuing to approach. If the dog keeps coming, then grab a handful of treats (which you should always carry for situations like these) and toss them at the oncoming dog, calling out "cookies" or "treats" as you do so. Many, if not most, dogs will stop - particularly if they are smelly treats, like hot dogs.
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