What to do if an off-leash dog approaches your dog?

I work preventively. I look for unleashed dogs ahead and behind. If I see one, I put my dog behind me with a down command. I call to the owner to please leash their dog. If they cannot leash, or won't, I tell them I will mace their dog if it approaches me. If the dog approaches me, I will mace the dog. I do not care about the dog's intentions. I need it to ensure the safety of me and my dog.

When an off-leash dog approaches your dog, yell loudly and very sternly to the owner, “Please leash your dog immediately.” If the person asks why, or says that often heard phrase that makes every person's heart sink, “It’s okay. He’s friendly!” Repeat this louder and with more urgency, “Please leash your dog immediately.” Leash first. Explain later. Sometimes, there is no owner in sight and calling to them does no good. Reach into your treat pouch, grab a handful of your highest value treats and throw them directly at the oncoming dog. Using your stern momma bear voice yell to the dog, “No!” or “Go Home!” sometimes “Sit Stay!” works. The goal is to startle them so they will retreat either back to their property or their owner. Carry a carabiner with you and a small slip lead. If you see an off leash dog approaching and there is no owner, you can attach your dog’s leash to a nearby tree. With the carabiner on the handle of your leash, loop it around the tree and clip it back to the main section of leash. Use your slip lead to catch the off leash dog and return them to their owner or call Animal Control. When all else fails, and you need to keep yourself and your dog safe, using a product called SprayShield can do the trick. Practice any of these techniques when you do not need them, clipping your dog to a tree with a carabiner, or teaching your dog to sit stay next to you while you yell loudly, and teaching your dog to turn with you and retreat are great techniques to practice so that when you need them, both you and your dog will know exactly what to do.

The sooner you spot an off-leash dog headed your way, the faster you can go through your “mental toolbox” and figure out what to do next, whether it’s quickly making a U-turn or putting your pooch in a safer place. In most cases, simply changing direction and walking away from the off-leash dog is enough to make them lose interest in your pup. Be sure to do this calmly and don’t tighten the leash, as this will tell your dog that you are uncomfortable. Sometimes, you can stop a loose dog from approaching by telling them to “sit”. If they do, you can throw some treats on the ground, and you and your pooch can make your exit while they’re distracted. Place a physical barrier between your pooch and the off-leash dog by stepping in between them. Put your hand out and say, “No!” or “Go home!” in a firm voice. A citronella-based deterrent spray can come in handy when dealing with an approaching dog that’s aggressive or, if worse comes to worst, break up a dog fight. If you have a small dog, your first instinct might be to pick them up if an off-leash dog approaches. This can work, but it is recommended to hide the act from the other dog as the movement can trigger their prey drive.