How Do You Stop a Big Dog from Attacking a Little Dog?

You can stop a big dog from attacking a little dog by being aware of your surroundings and having a plan of how you'll handle a dangerous situation. Having a plan could save your pet's life.

Tips For Preventing A Dog Attack 

You love dogs. We get it. The thing is that not all dogs are friendly—and when it comes to loose dogs you don't know, you should exercise caution. Yes, the large, off-leash dog lumbering towards you could just want to smother you with slobbery kisses, but you don't know if that's the case. Hopefully, you'll never find yourself in a situation where you need to figure out how to stop a big dog from attacking a little dog, but here are some things to keep in mind if you do:

Be Aware

Some people use the time walking their dogs to catch up on emails and post on Facebook. Instead, you should be focused on your surroundings. The more awareness you have of a potential problem, the more time you'll have to prepare yourself to react—or better yet avoid the situation entirely. Put the phone in your pocket and keep your eyes on what's going on around you. 

Know What Aggression Looks Like

Understanding the signs of aggression is another important part of awareness. Unfortunately, there is no one sure sign that you or your little dog are about to be attacked. That's why you need to interpret any sign of aggression as a precursor to an attack even though many times when dogs exhibit such signs no attack occurs. Look for: 

• The dog's body becoming very rigid
• Guttural barking or growling
• Showing teeth or snarling
• Raised tail
• Flat or pricked up ears
• Intense staring
• Circling 

Don't Approach A Strange Dog

People who love dogs want to help anytime they see a dog who may be lost or injured. It's wonderful to be compassionate, but the time to approach a stray or lost dog is not when you're walking your small dog. Instead, call animal control and keep walking. 

The Things You Carry

Whether you live in an area where stray and off-leash dogs are common or not, it's always a good idea to have a plan as to what you'll do if you encounter one. This includes possibly carrying items you could use to protect yourself. You could carry an air horn that would alarm the attacking dog, a large automatic umbrella that could push away the attacking dog, or purchase dog repellant spray online.  

Situational awareness and a contingency plan for how you'll deal with a dangerous situation can help stop a big dog from attacking your little dog and help you feel more confident should you be approached by an aggressive dog.