If you're going to purchase an animal repellent, be sure to do your research. Think again. Last Updated: December 11, 2020 This is HUGE problem in my city. If you enjoy walking outside, then it's inevitable that you are going to encounter dogs. Instead of using pepper spray, it’s best to use a citronella spray that sprays at least 8-10 feet away. Never approach or pet a dog that is nursing her puppies. I intervened to protect my child. Never pet a dog when it is eating or drinking. Talk to your dog. Ask the dog's owner before giving it a treat. Look for a whistle that irritates dogs. Many years ago I got between two dogs that were family “pets.” They were having a fight very close to one of my small children. Pet the dog only on his head or upper back. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. What should I do to walk safely again with my pet? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The only problem as I saw it was it had to be close to the dog to apply it-not a pleasant thought. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. You can find things like an ultrasonic dog chaser which works just as well on wolves. Not that I could have done anything to protect myself, but at that point in my life I was completely unaware of products could help protect me for my own personal safety and personal security. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Protect-Yourself-from-Dogs-While-Walking-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Protect-Yourself-from-Dogs-While-Walking-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Protect-Yourself-from-Dogs-While-Walking-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1539160-v4-728px-Protect-Yourself-from-Dogs-While-Walking-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"