Part Two: Protect yourself from a loose or aggressive dog

We love our dogs. We love to have our dogs on the trail with us. But there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the safety of ourselves and others.

In this two-part blog series, Noble Trails Board Member Jenna Anderson talks with Janis Crary, a certified trainer through The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®), and professionals at the Humane Society of Noble County. In Part 1, we will learn how to handle our own dog on the trail, and how to greet (or not greet) dogs walking with thei

r owners. In Part 2, she will share important information on how to protect yourself if you come across a loose and potentially aggressive dog. It’s a tough, but necessary, topic.

Part Two: Protect yourself from a loose or aggressive dog

Written by Jenna Anderson, Noble Trails Board Member

Inevitably, dogs get loose. Sometimes, loose dogs have run from irresponsible pet owners who don’t try to keep them contained on their property. Other times, even owners with the best of intentions lose their dog.

So how should you react if you see an unattended dog on the trail (or anywhere else)?

“Don’t run,” said Tracie Mullins, director of the Humane Society of Noble County.

“Avoid eye contact with the dog,” said Janis Crary, a certified trainer through The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®). “Even if the dog looks friendly, dog behavior can change rapidly.”

Janis encourages you not to put a hand out for the dog to sniff. If it’s fearful, it might sniff and then react with a growl, snarl, or snap. Instead, she says the first line of defense might be dog treats.

“You can toss treats at or away from the dog to get them to move away from you,” she said.