TIPS: How to Keep You and Fido Safe on Outings

We all love our dogs, but sometimes even the most precious pooch can hear the call of the wild.

Sometimes that leads to running loose around Hyattsville's tree-lined streets. Other times, it means bullying smaller dogs into giving up the best spot at the local fire hydrant.

But when dogs start to attack other dogs or people, that's when safety becomes a real concern.

In light of a recent dog attack and the scads of dogs that tend to run free around the city, Hyattsville Patch decided to offer some tips to keep dogs, and people, from getting hurt.

So we talked to Margot Woods, owner of Applewoods Dog Training in Laurel. Here's what she had to say:

Question 1: What's the best way to keep a dog in its backyard?

"Train it, and I don't mean with treats," Woods said. "I mean serious obedience training. Just because a gate is left open doesn't mean a dog is going to run out. A trained dog [can] even tell you there's a gate open.

"The reality is when a dog is properly trained they … don't need restraints because they know the difference between right and wrong."

Woods suggested teaching to an off-leash standard.

"If all a dog knows is being drug around or dragging you around, there's not much there in the way of self-control."

Question 2: How do you retrieve a loose dog?

"You teach them to come when called," Woods said. "Everything a dog needs to know … can and should be taught on a 6-foot leash with lots of distractions."

Question 3: What should you do if a loose dog tries to attack?

"Your dog's going to be a whole lot safer if you drop the leash," Woods said. "Your dog has given you their allegiance, and the dog should [stand] behind you [while] you drive the attacker away.

"It may mean that you end up backing away until you can put something between you and that other dog.

"I'm a big one for yelling … and 99 times out of 100, that'll run a loose dog off by itself. If you scream in fear, then you're inviting them basically to eat you alive."

Woods suggested using words of power that show you believe you can enforce them.

"After all, you're taller and hopefully smarter," she said.