I don't have much experience with dogs, much less untrained off leash ones. One is pretty big (a lab maybe?) and always runs right up to me and my wife barking territorially whenever I'm out in my garden, and doesn't stop until one of my neighbor's kids comes and gets them. I've had dogs try to fight me before and they make me really nervous. I just want to touch grass :(

How should I be responding to the dog when this happens?

  • supergremlin [they/them]
    ·
    2 years ago

    If it's aggressive and you can't convince the neighbor to put it on a leash then a cap gun might help. It's basically a toy that makes a loud bang and it might work to scare the dog off.

    • LENINSGHOSTFACEKILLA [he/him]
      ·
      2 years ago

      This can also backfire. My dog barks at and tries to bite the air when loud, sharp noises happen nearby, like cap guns or real guns

      • supergremlin [they/them]
        ·
        2 years ago

        Yeah I suppose it depends on the dog. There's a lot of aggressive dogs loose in my neighborhood and I've never had an issue with the cap gun but definitely exercise caution.

      • supergremlin [they/them]
        ·
        2 years ago

        It doesn't hurt the dog. There's no bullet or anything it's just noise. You don't have to point it at the dog either, just fire it in it's vicinity.