No matter whether you have a house with a big garden, or you live in an apartment, walking your dog is a great way to bond with them, and in most cases it’s necessary.
Even if you live in the busiest cities, you still might encounter wild animals on these walks, and sometimes an animal attack might even be unavoidable. No matter how unlikely these situations seem, you need to be ready for them. Generally, noises scare wild animals away, so putting a bell on your dog’s collar will do the trick. But this doesn’t work all the time, so your approach has to differ depending on which animal you come across.
For example, raccoons, possums, and other small mammals might seem innocent enough, but they can carry very infectious diseases. They don’t attack unless they feel cornered or threatened. It’s best to keep your dog on a leash so that they don’t go attacking these mammals. Loud noises are enough to scare them away though.
If you live in an area where you know you might stumble upon critters, spiders, snakes and other venomous animals, it’s best to avoid tall bushes and stick to clear paths. If you do encounter them. Don’t make any sudden moves and back away slowly. If your dog gets bitten or stung, get them to a vet as soon as possible.
If you are very unlucky, you might encounter coyotes, bears, or mountain lions. Coyotes and mountain lions are scared by loud noises, but if you know there are a lot of them in your area, you might want to be armed. With bears, try to walk away slowly, but if they notice you, start talking to let them know you are human. In case you do get attacked, bear spray is your best option.