Taking your dog on an adventure or running some errands to work on their manners? Here’s how to advocate for your dog in public when stressful situations come up.

One of the best things about having a dog is all the experiences you can share together. There’s nothing better than going for a walk in the woods with your best friend, visiting the pet store to buy them a stinky new chew, or settling down at a sunny patio table for a coffee and some quality time.

Spending time with your dog in public can be lots of fun, but it can also be stressful for them (and you) at times. Unfortunately, the outside world isn’t predictable, and not everyone is going to be on their best behavior in public. This can lead to some upsetting and potentially dangerous situations, especially if your dog doesn’t enjoy strangers touching them.

People who touch your dog without asking, allow their dogs to run up to yours off-leash, or purposely distract your dog while you’re working on difficult skills (like being polite in public!) can quickly spoil your day. If your dog isn’t comfortable with strangers, there’s also the risk that they could bite.

When these moments occur, it can be difficult to know how to say “please go away; you’re making me and my dog uncomfortable.” Most of us have been told all our lives that we should always be polite, no matter what. Many of us freeze up and don’t know how to respond when someone crosses a line.

But here’s the thing: it’s okay to say no. It’s okay to tell someone to call off their dog or to give your dog some space. In fact, it’s sometimes necessary for you and your dog’s safety and well-being.

Advocating for your dog or puppy in public is one of your responsibilities as a dog owner. Your dog is not public property and they need to be able to trust that you won’t put them in a situation they can’t handle. Here’s how to stand up for your dog in public when a person or another dog gets a little too pushy, inconsiderate, or aggressive.

Should You Take Your Dog With You?

Before you hop in the car, take a moment to consider if you should take your pup along. Your dog doesn’t need to go with you everywhere, and probably shouldn’t in many cases. Before you head out to a public place with your dog, you should always ask yourself a few questions:

Does the store/park/etc. allow dogs?
Could my dog pose a danger to people or animals at my destination?
Is my dog in good physical and mental shape for this outing? (i.e. not exhausted, in a fear period, etc.)
Is my dog ready for this type of outing? Will they be able to maintain a level of behavior that’s expected in public places?
Will my dog get anything positive out of the experience (i.e. enrichment/fun or training/exposure)?
Will bringing my dog be enjoyable, or will it be stressful?

Remember, just because you can bring your dog somewhere doesn’t always mean you should. Not all dogs are comfortable in all public situations! Plus, sometimes you might want to focus on shopping or drinking your coffee without worrying about managing your dog. If you do decide to take your dog with you, being prepared for a variety of situations can prevent stressful incidents and help ensure the outing is a success.

Gear Up for Success

If your dog is uncomfortable being touched by strangers (can you really blame them?), it can be a good idea to invest in some patches or leash covers that say “do not pet,” “in training,” or some variation of those messages. While not everyone will respect them, it will likely prevent some people from getting too pushy and might at least get them to pause and ask if they can pet your dog instead of just going for it.

When you’re going to be sitting somewhere for a while, think about bringing a mat for your dog. Not only does this give them a soft place to rest, but it provides your dog with a familiar object that they know and feel comfortable using. If they have a “place” cue, you can use the mat to practice this under distractions and keep your dog out of the way of strangers.

Working on helping your dog deal with big feelings and worried that they might make poor choices when out and about? Having them wear a muzzle for training outings can be a great way to keep everyone safe and to give you peace of mind. Plus, people are unlikely to approach a dog wearing a muzzle!

Maintain Awareness of Your Environment

When you’re out with your dog, it’s important to maintain awareness of the world around you. This serves two important goals at the same time:

Being respectful of the people, animals, and property around you
Allowing you to keep an eye on the environment in case you need to advocate for your dog

This doesn’t mean you need to be on edge when you’re out with your pup. It just means keeping an eye out for environmental triggers that might make your dog uncomfortable so you can keep your distance or prepare to help them cope with the stress.

Put Space Between You and Other People

Speaking of space, one great way to advocate for your dog is to leave a buffer of space between you and other people. If your dog isn’t comfortable being petted by a stranger, try to ensure that they don’t get within arms’ reach.

You can also put yourself between a person and your dog if you want to create an unspoken barrier. Occasionally, people will cross a line and still try to pet your dog, but physically using your body to block your dog can be effective in some situations.

Always Be Prepared for a Loose Dog

If a dog runs up to you on a hiking trail off-leash, do you know what to do? Loose dogs that run up to people and other dogs can be very dangerous and it’s important to be prepared for this to happen. Unfortunately, many people believe that yelling out “he’s friendly!” is all they have to do when their dog runs up on someone unannounced.

Keeping calm can be difficult during an encounter with a strange dog, but it will help reduce the chances of the situation escalating. Don’t make sudden movements and try to avoid yelling, as this can increase the tension even more. If you feel that picking up your small dog is the safest move under the circumstances, be prepared for the intruding dog to jump on you.

Telling the owner to call their dog off is important, but it might not always work and the dog might not listen to their owner’s calls. If you’re worried about how your pup will react to a dog charging at them, try throwing a handful of food at the approaching dog. This might distract them enough so you can get out of there safely. Carrying a spray deterrent (one designed specifically for safe use on dogs) is a good backup, in case things start looking unsafe. Just make sure to check your local laws before you buy some!

Prepare a Script

When you run into a situation that requires you to advocate for your dog, it can be tough to know what to say. If you have trouble saying “no,” and being firm about boundaries with strangers, then you might want to prepare and practice a script you can use in public. Some examples of scripts you can use include:

"I appreciate your interest in my dog, but he/she is not comfortable with strangers touching him/her. It's nothing personal, he/she is just a bit shy. Thanks for understanding!"
"Excuse me, your dog is making my dog uncomfortable. Please call them back and leash them for everyone's safety."
"Thank you for the invitation, but I don't think it's a good idea for our dogs to meet. My dog can sometimes be anxious around other dogs, and I don't want to risk any potential conflicts or stress for either of them. I hope you understand."

Know your boundaries and firm about them. Some people can be very pushy and it can be difficult to stand your ground. However, it’s important to know what your dog can and can’t handle so you can set those boundaries and enforce them as politely as possible. Most people will back off when you ask them to, but you’ll probably come across a few strangers who will have trouble taking “no” for an answer.

What if Your Dog Isn’t Comfortable in Public?

If your dog isn’t comfortable in public, it’s important to realize that these environments can be overwhelming for many dogs. Socialization is important and can help dogs become more confident in public places, but some dogs are always going to be more environmentally sensitive than others. It isn’t your fault, and it doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderful life with your dog.

Getting your dog more comfortable in public can be a long process, depending on their stress levels and their typical responses to stress outside of their home. It’s important to take things slow if you want to give it a try.

Don’t take your dog to a busy store at peak shopping hours right off the jump. Instead, try hanging out in the parking lot at off-peak hours and watch the activity with your dog so they can practice managing their emotions at a safe distance. Then, you can slowly work up to taking your dog into busier environments as they get more comfortable.

In some cases, it might be better (and easier) to accept that your dog just doesn’t enjoy going to the farmer’s market or outdoor dining areas and choose to leave them at home in their comfort zone. Meet them where they are and instead of putting them into situations they find extremely stressful, look for activities you can truly enjoy together! There’s no shame in acknowledging that you don’t have a “patio” dog, and your pup will thank you for removing unnecessary stress from their life.

Raising a Go Anywhere Do Anything Dog

Not all dogs want to be a Go Anywhere Do Anything Dog, but others love being in public and can overcome common stressors they encounter with ease (like that squealing toddler running up to them unannounced). If your pup is confident and stable in public, you’ll get to spend more time together–and that’s always a good thing.

If you’d like some help with your pup’s manners when out and about, check out our Patreon to get access to our bimonthly Study Halls, where you can ask the SuperPup team questions and get support. Or, register for our Canine Co-Pilot course, which is designed to help you teach your pup real-world skills so they can become a Go Anywhere Do Anything Dog!

Can I Pet Your Pup? How to Advocate for Your Dog in Public