Exercising outdoors is a treat, but you need to be aware of potential threats.
While you may encounter aggressive dogs when you’re outdoors, note that they aren’t necessarily vicious. It’s inaccurate to predict a dog’s aggression based on breed alone. There are two types of aggressive dogs: the frightened dog and the dominant dog.
Most dogs are just frightened and bark as a warning. They’re nervous about your presence and worried about themselves, their property or their owner. These dogs are more an annoyance than a threat and usually won’t attack unless ‘spooked’ by sudden loud noises (screaming or shouting) or rapid movements like waving your arms.
The dominant dog is less common as they usually roam in packs. They aren’t ‘barkers’ but approach you growling and snarling with bared teeth.
The SPCA suggests avoiding running from them. Rapid movements like running attract a dog’s attention and could make the animal more aggressive. Running is only an option if you’re very close to safety.
Try matching a dominant dog’s behaviour by being dominant yourself, such as repeatedly saying calmly and assertively ‘no’ or ‘go home’. It may make the dog retreat. Make no sudden moves. If you have a fanny pack or sweatshirt handy, be ready to ‘feed’ it to the dog. When bicycling, get off your bike and put it between you and the animal.
Avoid looking directly into the eyes of an aggressive dog. Staring may be perceived as a threat or challenge. Whether they’re a frightened or dominant dog, turn slightly from them, but keep the animal in the corner of your eye.
Fortunately, it’s usually the frightened dog you’ll meet. With this type of dog, take a friendly approach but remain cautious: avoid staring, sudden motions and loud sounds. When a dog is nervous, it’s not sure what you’re up to, so it’s important to put it at ease. Dog trainers suggest keeping a friendly attitude and a cheerful voice. Let your voice convey ‘play’ in some way.
Carry treats with you, especially if the annoying dog is on your regular running or walking route. Offer the treat using a friendly, cheerful voice, ‘Hey there, want a treat?’ And carrying a treat is a better option than carrying a weapon, like a water pistol or a sturdy stick.
Threatening a dog with these items may encourage aggressiveness. Same for pepper spray, warns the RCMP. Pepper spray (illegal for use on humans) should only be used as a last resort – usually in the case of the dominant dog who’s baring its teeth, ready to bite. The spray may be effective if you can spray it directly in the dog’s face and eyes, but accuracy isn’t possible in most cases. The dog could still bite after being sprayed, and it will likely become very angry, warns the RCMP. If you decide to purchase pepper spray, the sprays are available for varying distances so get a long-range one.
Dog whistles aren’t a reliable deterrent, either, say dog trainers. These whistles emit high-frequency sound waves, audible only to dogs. But you never know the animal’s reaction: the dog may go away or become more aggressive. So, like pepper spray, a whistle should be a last resort.
Dog attacks are rare, but they do occur. If you are attacked, play dead. Struggling will arouse the dog more and make it bite harder to maintain its hold. Lie on your stomach to protect vulnerable areas like your abdominals and inner thighs. Protect the back of your neck, too, if possible.
Attacks don’t have to happen if you can avoid doing anything that will make the dog more frightened. That’s why a dog barks in the first place because it’s scared. The barking just means ‘please go away.’
Being friendly shows the frightened dog you aren’t a threat. So, there’s no need to change your running or walking route. If you pass by the dog regularly, try making friends with it. Meet the owner. Ask if you can get to know the dog. The pet owner can help the dog become familiar with you as a regular presence in its territory. If the owner occasionally greets you as you walk by or points you out to the dog as being a friend, it puts the dog at ease.
The non-violent approach makes everyone happy: you, the dog and the dog’s owner. And it may help the dog be more at ease with other outdoor exercisers.
If the dog remains a serious threat despite your actions, both the RCMP and SPCA advise either approaching the owner or, as a last resort, reporting the animal to your City Pound.
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Eve Lees has been active in the health & fitness industry since 1979. Currently, she is a Freelance Health Writer for several publication and speaks to business and private groups on various health topics.
I started carrying treats and has made a world of difference. Great post