Running and dogs

OK, so some tips on dogs (I have a dog and love them)

They don't 'smell' fear as the myth goes, but they are usually curious and attentive and want to check you out, and will pay especial attention to you if you act uncertain around them (AM GOING TO CHECK THIS STRANGE HUMAN OUT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING STRANGE HUMAN). If they are dominant and have something to prove they will act aggressively to other animals that are submissive (ie you).

Dogs like to chase things, especially terriers and retrievers. If you're running in the same vicinity as them you look different from all the other BORING humans and of course they're going to come check you out. If you run away from them they may think it's a game and go AWESOME, TIME TO PLAY CHASEY.

There is a certain amount of body language with dogs, if their tail is up and waving they're happy / friendly / pleased to see you. These ones can be discouraged by saying 'NO' or 'DOWN' or 'UH UH'

If their tail is held straight and pointed and they are staring fixedly at you or exposing their it could be defensiveness or aggression. Keep out of their way and they generally won't have a go at you.

If their tail is low or curled under their bum they are being submissive and are worried about you. Keep out of their way.

Jumping or rearing up is generally a sign of a playful dog although these can be the scariest encounters. Me - at 6' - have been enthusiastically greeted, whilst running, by a Great Dane who ran up to me and reared up with paws in the air...at my shoulder height. A 90lb dog waving his paws in the air like a kung fu master is pretty confronting...but all he wanted to do was play!

Some dogs can be very defensive or aggressive about strange things - their humans, their humans' possessions, food, water, ball, stick, etc.

Dogs respond best to deep, authoritative commands. Use 'NO' and "UH-UH' and 'DOWN' when approached by a dog you don't want near you. Practise saying these commands in a deep voice. I can't tell you how effective a curt 'NO' is to stopping a dog from doing something it shouldn't.

The majority of the dogs you see are well-behaved and well-socialised. A rare few spoil it, and the owners can be held responsible for the damage their animals do.

It sucks that you are afraid of dogs, and as a dog owner I would like to apologize for any off leash dogs that startle/hurt you in any way.
First off, and this is not meant to scare you further, many dogs find runners/joggers/bicycles irrestible due to the whole "prey" drive thing. (If it runs, you chase it) Having said that, stop, turn and yell SIT. Can't guarantee it will work, but hopefully because you are not running any more you won't be as interesting. And most dogs know sit. And for most the yell, will startle them. (again, not all)

Also try to be confident. Dogs can sense fear and that is interpeted as weakness and weak things are attacked. Again, I am not trying to scare you, I just want you to know/understand what the dog is thinking.

You can always try having a handful of treats (hotdogs pieces, pepperoni bits, etc) to throw on the ground at a dog and hope it stops to eat and leave you be. BUT this does run the risk of the smell attracting them to you in the first place OR the dog "learning" you have treats and if you and it are always there around the same time ... it'll come to you for the treats.

Have you tried being around friendly dogs? Just getting to see how they move, react, interact. If you can google Cesar Millan and other dogs sites to get an idea of what an excitable dog looks like compared to an aggressive dog. I'd also suggest not wearing ear buds or only one so you can hear any barking/jingling collars/etc.

If a dog does run up to you, or behind you, stop running. Stop the prey drive. Be ready to bring a knee up to block a jump. Make fists, if only to keep your fingers protected. Take a deep breath, and BELIEVE that you are strong, confident, the pack leader/Alpha. Positive self talk also helps. Shoulders back and down, chest out and think "I will not put up with this *kitten*! You will do as I say, because I said so!" or something that works for you. Ceasar also has great tips about being confident, that you may find helpful.

You could also scope out the area and see when there is the least dogs, as dog owners tend to walk at the same time everyday, due to work and stuff.

I hope this gives you some ideas. Good luck with your running!

I have a dog yet am still very afraid of other peoples dogs. Thanks for the tips! If I am jogging and spot a loose dog I will usually just try really hard not to look at it, Im not sure why but i think making eye contact with them makes them think i am interested in playing or whatever they have in mind for me. I just try to make it seem as if I am not noticing them. So far so good.

Elaborating ...

Tail wagging does NOT necessarily indicate friendly.

A full wagging tail from side to side (say 160 degrees) means friendly.

A short tick-tocking tail that is making a very abrupt sweep (say 20 to 40 degrees) is a sign of aggression.


And really, bad dog behavior is not *just* the owner's fault. I have a bouncy boy who loves to jump on people. I tell him "No" and "Floor," and someone will be scratching his ears as my boy buries his feet in their hips, "Oh, that's okay."

No, darnit, it is not okay. They are reinforcing his bad behavior. I get really tired of explaining this. I finally broke my family of the habit, but strangers are much harder to teach.

I'm a dog owner and lover, and have had some issues with runners. My advice:

If you run through a park with off-leash dogs, THEY WILL PROBABLY CHASE YOU. This is instinctual for them, and most mean no harm - they're just having fun. Knowing which dogs are a "threat" is difficult if you're not well-acquainted with dogs, and trying to read dog body language is difficult for people even when they're NOT running.

Unfortunately, the gestures we humans make when startled or nervous (such as raising the pitch and loudness of our voices, raising our hands up, etc.) get dogs pretty riled up because they look/sound nearly identical to dog play signals. The very best thing you can do if/when you do encounter a dog while running is IGNORE IT.

Some previous posters have advised trying to say "NO" or "DOWN" to a dog that's chasing you - I completely disagree. My dogs are young, bouncy, and SUPER FRIENDLY - if an interesting stranger is saying things to them, they're 100% likely to get MORE excited than if that person just ignores them. Simple guideline: don't talk to, touch, or make eye contact with the dog. Cross your arms and turn away, and most dogs will get the message that you're not going to engage with them.

My #1 tip is to KNOW where the off-leash areas in your neighbourhood are. Runners are free to run anywhere in most cities, but most places DO have leash laws and only have certain areas where dogs may run free. If you're not crazy about dogs, do yourself and the dog owners a favour and run somewhere else. We're limited in the number of places we can take dogs to just act like dogs.

That being said, I will call my dogs to me if either one seems interested in pursuing a jogger (and most other responsible owners will do the same). The onus is on dog owners to have well-trained and well-socialized dogs. I've never seen a serious "chase down" of a jogger, and I spend between 1 and 3 hours in the park most days of the week.

So, avoid the off-leash areas if you're not comfortable, and if you encounter an off-leash dog in any other area, you're well within your rights to pause and ask the owner to put the dog back on its leash.

Dogs are great.

The worst thing my dog would do to you is pee on you.

I'm sorry you seem to have a fear of dogs.