An off-lead dog is charging my dog. What do I do?

Stay as calm as you can, do not run, and get something between the two dogs. That is the core of it. If it has already happened to you and you froze or grabbed your dog in a panic, you did nothing stupid. Very few people have a plan for this until they need one. Making one now, while you are calm, is the single best thing you can do for the next time.

Many dogs that run up are curious or over-excited rather than out to fight. You cannot tell which in the moment, so treat every charge the same way.

In the moment

1. Stop and stand your ground. Running triggers chasing. Keep your dog on a short lead, close to you, and turn so you are between your dog and the one coming.
2. Use your voice. A loud, low, firm “No” or “Go home”, with an arm out, stops some dogs in their tracks. Shout for the owner too.
3. Put something physical in the way. An umbrella opened towards the dog, a bag, a coat, a bike, a pushchair, a bin. Anything that blocks the line between the dogs and keeps teeth off you.
4. Distract it. A handful of treats scattered on the ground in front of the other dog can buy you seconds to step away. A loud whistle or a personal alarm can startle a dog enough to stop.
5. Back away slowly once there is a gap, without turning your back. Head for a gate, a car or a doorway you can put between you.

Should I pick my small dog up?

Sometimes, and only if you can do it safely. Lifting a small dog can take it out of reach, but a determined dog may jump up at you to get to it, and then you are the one in the way of teeth. If the other dog is already close and worked up, keep yours on the ground behind you and block instead. If you have a second or two and the other dog is still some way off, scoop yours up, hold it high against your chest, and turn your shoulder towards the other dog so your body shields it.

With a bigger or reactive dog that tries to go round you, shorten the lead right up, turn your body with your dog’s, and keep the barrier between them. Practise a quick turn and walk away on calm walks so it is automatic when you need it.

If a fight starts: do not put your hands near either dog’s head or collar. That is how owners get bitten. Use the barrier, a jacket thrown over them, or water if you have it. Do not kick or hit the other dog: it can make things worse and harming a dog can be a crime. If you or your dog are bitten, see what to do after a dog bite: wash it, see a doctor the same day, and take your dog to a vet.

What to carry

• A small umbrella that pops open. It makes a barrier in a second.
• A whistle or personal alarm. Loud and legal almost everywhere.
• Strong-smelling treats in an easy pocket.
• A deterrent spray, only where it is legal. Citronella and similar sprays are allowed in some countries and treated like a weapon in others. Check first: is dog deterrent spray legal where I live. We never recommend pepper spray.

Before the next walk

Scan ahead and pick routes with clear sightlines and places to step aside. If you see a loose dog early, turn and walk calmly the other way, or cross the road. Practise your dog’s recall and a quick “behind me” on easy walks. Know where the nearest vet is.

After it happens

Check both of you for injuries, even small punctures under fur. Ask the owner for their name and contact details if they turn up. Write down the date, time, place and a description of the dog, and take photos. If it keeps happening, or the dog seems dangerous, report it. Who to call depends on where you live: our answer on who to call about a dangerous or roaming dog walks through it, and the loose dogs guide has more.