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CBS Pet Project: What to do when you encounter a loose dog

CBS Pet Project: What to do when you encounter a loose dog
CBS Pet Project: What to do when you encounter a loose dog 04:29

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – One of the scariest things, and dog owners know this, is encountering a loose dog. Animal advocate Carol Erickson talked to CBS News Philadelphia about the best ways to practice for real-life situations with your own dog.

Erickson suggests to find an alternative route if you know that there is a loose dog in the area or to ask the owners to keep the dog on a leash.

Here are some of the things you want to do when you navigate this:

  • avoid the situation

  • know dog body language

  • loudly tell the dog to "go home"

  • use gesture indicating dog to stop

  • throw treats at dog to distract

  • block your own dog

  • startle other dog

Erickson also suggested to carry the following things on your walk to be prepared:

  • umbrella to pop open and startle loose dog

  • can of compressed air/citronella spray

  • treat

Don't use pepper spray as it can trigger aggression.

Learnmore useful things in the video stream above.

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