Running + Stray Dogs

My overall advice is to use common sense - most of us know whether a dog is coming up to say hi, whether they're defending their territory, or whether they're out to get you. I've come across schnauzers on my runs who would try to eat me if they weren't on-leash, and I've come across stray pit bulls who, with tongues hanging out, just wanted a buddy to run around with.

Oddly enough, I've come across a lot of cats that will follow me for a mile or so, which is weird, because I'm not a cat person and thus don't have any cats (plus my husband is allergic to them). I just worry about them getting underfoot.

I am a TOTAL dog person (I have four rescued dogs) and tend to want to pet all the dogs I come across, but if I saw one that was less than friendly, I'd just slow down to a walk and change direction (walking backwards, if I have to, so as not to turn my back on the dog). However, if it was my regular route, I'd try to figure out whose dog it is and would ask them if it's possible to restrain the dog. It's better for you, them, and their dog. No one wants to be bitten/attacked by a dog or sued and/or held criminally liable for a dog bite/attack.

I am TERRIFIED of dogs, big, small, average, tiny, large...it doesn't matter. If I see a dog from a distance I turn and head in the opposite direction. It messes my breathing all up and totally throws me off. I used to carry pepper spray and will continue to do so if I get a chance to run again. We are suppose to have a leash law in our town but many do now follow it. It really upsets me. I shouldn't be afraid to go out walking in my own town.

"Leash laws" apply to EVERYONE in the country park near where I live except the morons who own dogs.

they seem to believe it's perfectly normal for their dog to drop as many turds as possible and literally terrorise geese, and swans... in the UK, Swans are very much a protected bird...but dog owner's needs are clearly more important than the rules that are designed to give everyone a pleasent and safe environment for recreation.

Nothing major with any dogs...but I did have a scary encounter with a flock of turkeys one near-dawn run. I went from "wow, look at all those turkeys up ahead" to "they're heading straight for me!" to "ZOMGWTFBBQ I'M BEING CHASED BY TURKEYS!!!111!1!".

I wish turkey owners were are responsible as most dog owners. =\

Nothing major with any dogs...but I did have a scary encounter with a flock of turkeys one near-dawn run. I went from "wow, look at all those turkeys up ahead" to "they're heading straight for me!" to "ZOMGWTFBBQ I'M BEING CHASED BY TURKEYS!!!111!1!".

I wish turkey owners were are responsible as most dog owners. =\

My facebook comments on the picture I posted of the turkeys (once I was at what I felt was a "safe" distance):

"As I ran past, they turned to follow me. Then they started running. Every time I stopped to look back, they'd run a little faster. Very freaky."

"I had seen the sign beside the road that says, "do NOT stop for turkeys" but had never seen any turkeys before. Maybe the people that live there wanted some turkey roadkill. When they started squawking and cackling this morning, I reasoned the sign might be because of the noise they made. Instead, I think someone needs to add "or die!" to the bottom of the sign before they try to take another jogger."

The ones you have to be wary of are the stealth dogs. These are the ones that come from behind without making any noise.

A few years ago I was running before the sun came up and was listening to an ipod. Suddenly I felt two large paws on my shoulders and a wet nose in my ear. It was a stealth dog. After I got over my shock and got him off my back he ran with me for the next three miles. He finally got tired of it and left. I hope he found his way home again.

When I lived out in the country, I was running past the neighboring farm when I heard a step on gravel behind me. I turned and there was a rottweiler and two other large dogs coming up on me quiet. If I had an ipod then, it might have been my last run. As it was, I turned and faced them and tried to be intimidating but they took a bit of convincing. The owner was calling for them, but they weren't that well trained.

Happier story: When I ran in the north GA hills, I always had trouble with stray dogs (never as scary as that rottweiler). One day, though, someone's blue tick coon hound came out at me, but was totally friendly. After some petting I started running again and he joined me. He probably did 5 or 6 miles with me and whenever a dog would come out at me he would chase them back into their yard and then catch up to me. When we got home, I checked his collar and found his tag and his owner came and picked him up

I work in a dog training facility & have foster countless number of dogs. The best thing to do if they are very close to you is to slow down and stop running and act like a tree. DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT with the dog as that is a threat to them, do not bend over the top of them, allow them to smell you if they so choose but ignore them until they move on. Having something to put between you and the dog such as a tree or object will also be helpful. Once you know if the dog is going to be friendly you can start to walk away don't just start running again or they will play chase.

If you want to feel safer yes have a small stick that you can hold out for them to bite on, or carry some treats in your pocket and throw them away from you as if they are really a lost dog food is beneficial, however in most cases "Strays' or lost dogs rarely want human interaction as they are in flight or fight mode and by fight I don't mean run after a person for no reason.

My dogs will bark and run at anyone that comes into my driveway / yard but once they get a smell they lose interest unless it's my lab then he'll bring you his ball to throw for him.

I hope everyone reads this and pays attention. Some advice is better than others, and when it comes from a knowledgeable person, it's the best.

I suppose I should've stated that I've been training dogs full time for 10 years, and have trained over 1500 dogs, (countless aggressive dogs), to have my comment taken seriously. :laugh:

Here ya go!

Small yappy dogs are why I got the steel-toe spike add-on for my Vibrams.

I think I love you.

As for me, I am not an animal lover. It's mostly owners of animals that think they are entitled that causes that reaction in me; I especially dislike people who walk their dogs on a leash on a public path and then allow the leash to cross over the entire running/bike path so no one can get around them. I yell at those people when I come up from behind and startle them on purpose. Why? Because if you're rude enough to let your dog all over the place on a public path, you clearly need a "wake up". I've never come at them from the front and had anyone not yank their dog back--but still. As for dogs running up to me, it has only happened once and the dog was growling. I yelled at it "don't even thin about it" and kept running. It did not follow me. That said, I have no compunction about slapping down a threatening animal if it's between me being hurt or it being hurt. Yep. I'm cold hearted.

That said, I'm no contender and I can see being very hurt by a rottweiler or other such type dog. It happens all the time and we read about it in the news. Thus, in my eyes, all dogs are a threat and I treat them all warily.

I hate loose dogs interrupting my workout! Keep your dogs put up! I'm tired if stupid things like loose dogs keeping me from maximizing my workout!! I'm irritated that I now am considering spending money for a gym when I pay money for rent in neighborhood in which I should be able to walk/run for free. If a loose dog runs up on me, I'm drenching it in pepper spray.

I carry wasp spray. Big range and will deter a dog from chasing me. I would only use it if the dog was acting aggressively since it can cause real damage.

I show them my hands as in saying "I'm not a threat guys" while slowing down and smiling. It makes them just look at me confused and some even get all happy around me. Sounds kinda silly, but it does the trick. I did have an issue the other day, but I didn't even see the dog coming, like... I got bitten out of nowhere (nothing serious, the poor thing was just bluffing)

http://tinyurl.com/qhplzvx Happened in our area this summer. Carrying a small stick, treats, and thinking you can "scare" off a real attack sounds a little foolhardy to me. Serious stuff!

I yell at the owners. I live in the city (leash law) and if their dog starts chasing me (and my dog who is on a leash) then they are going to hear about it. I hate irresponsible owners. On top of chasing people, it could get hit by a car too.

Not long ago I was attacked (almost) by a pit bull.

I've been charged by barking dogs before. The best approach is always to stand tall and be still. Don't act threatening but don't run or turn your back either. The barkers are usually just posturing. They get to a certain distance, stop, bark for a while and eventually decide to back down/let you go. At that point it's best to calmly and carefully go back the way you came.

This dog wasn't posturing. He barked only once as he came out of the garage but then came quickly (though not a full run) and quietly. He didn't slow down by ten feet away so I knew he was coming in all the way for a fight.
As he got up to me we both started vying for position. We danced around each other as he looked for a chance to lunge and I looked for a chance to punch him between the eyes as hard as I could. I didn't want to swing too early or miss and just make him more determined or leave myself more vulnerable.
I could hear his growls over my headphones and just as his shoulders went down for the lunge and his mouth began to open for the bite (less than a foot from me at this point), I prepared to take my last good opportunity to hit him. But then, all of a sudden, instead of lunging, he tucked his head and ran back up the driveway. I looked up and saw the owner on the porch and the dog cowering down at his feet (tells me he obviously disciplines the dog with far too heavy a hand which is probably why it's so aggressive). Apparently he came out and called the dog back just in time (God's grace, that was). Then I realized I was still standing there with a clenched fist poised to strike. I gave the owner a quick wave and went on my way.

Since then, I never run without something to protect myself. I prefer to carry pepper spray for the dogs as I'm a dog lover and would rather not injure one if I can avoid it. However, I also often have a 3-4' pocket knife for in case the dog is crazed enough to charge again after the pepper spray.

That said, I have a lightweight pocket .380 pistol to carry while I run. This is moreso for the two legged variety of attackers though.

Enginette wrote: »

Question for those animal-loving runners out there...how do you handle dogs that are barking and running up to you? Do you keep running and ignore or do you stop?

I love dogs and don't think I could carry a stick to fend a dog off, but I have felt threatened on more than one occassion and wanted to know if anyone had any tips.

If I'm approached by an aggressive dog, I get more aggressive. Usually, I make friends with any dog, but every now and then, a bad one needs and gets the bite of the viper.