I often walk my dog off-leash when it's safe to do so. She’s never shown aggression toward other dogs and reliably follows my commands. When we see another dog, I can confidently give the command "leave it," and she won’t approach them. However, I understand the frustration felt by other dog owners when an off-leash dog approaches their reactive on-leash pet. It can be a stressful situation, and I often hear owners calling out warnings that their dog is reactive. In such cases, I immediately leash my dog.
But what do you do when the off-leash dog’s owner is nowhere in sight or the dog doesn’t obey commands? On occasion, while walking in Toronto, I’ve encountered off-leash dogs where no command was given at all.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to dealing with an off-leash dog approaching you, as dogs have individual behaviors. Some may be friendly, others cautious, and some might even pose a threat. Unfortunately, this is an issue all dog owners face throughout their pet’s life.
Understanding a Dog’s Intentions
A dog’s body language can often reveal its intentions.
- Friendly dogs: They’ll approach with a relaxed, wiggly body and a wagging tail. Their movements are soft and loose.
- Protective dogs: They may guard their territory by barking and moving quickly, usually near their home, yard, or favorite park.
- Aggressive dogs: They tend to move slowly with a tense body, fixed stare, and raised hackles. Their ears may be flattened, and their tail stiff.
When walking my dogs on-leash and an off-leash dog approaches, I always position myself between the two. Unless I know the dog or its owner, I don’t allow interaction between an off-leash dog and my on-leash dogs. Too many times, I’ve seen a dog labeled "friendly" turn aggressive.
Creating space between the off-leash dog and mine signals to my dogs that I’m in control of the situation. Over time, my dogs have learned to trust me to handle such encounters. For example, my Rottweiler will hide behind my legs in these scenarios. Despite her breed’s reputation, she never fights back. We’ve had close calls with aggressive dogs, but I’ve always managed to protect her. On one occasion, a larger dog attacked, pinning her down. I used my purse to drive the dog off and created space by waving it and shouting a firm "NO." Thankfully, my dog escaped with no major injuries.
If a dog approaches aggressively, remain calm and position yourself between your dog and the off-leash dog. Some people suggest carrying a stick or umbrella, but this feels impractical for daily walks. Others recommend spray, but if you choose this route, use citronella to avoid harming either dog. If your dog is small, pick it up if necessary. If space-making tactics fail and your dog is too large to carry, dropping the leash might be your last resort.
Dog walking should be an enjoyable experience. Unless I’m familiar with a park and its regular dog visitors, I avoid areas with off-leash dogs, a practice shared by our Toronto dog walkers. If you're concerned about off-leash dogs, you can usually avoid them by walking elsewhere. Thinking ahead about how you’d respond to an aggressive encounter can help you stay calm and handle the situation with confidence. Dogs can sense your energy, and panicking may worsen the situation. Stay calm, create space, and walk confidently.
