We got a new pup last summer and she loves walks each evening. This fall as the days became shorter, it was hard for me to get home from work in time to take her for a walk before dusk. So the walks became darker and darker.
Sometimes we would hear coyotes relatively close and it spooked both of us. So I bought bear spray in case I needed it. Never did get around to bringing it on the walk with us as I figured out a way to get home earlier.
I’ve also bought compressed air cans that I use to keep her from barking as she scares other dogs – she is so happy to see them she just goes crazy barking. A quick spritz of air pointed at the sky creates a sound she hates and she stops barking immediately…nothing else has worked to stop her.
She also barks very loudly when we have visitors. While we haven’t had many of those recently given the situation, we did have one come by last week. I stayed with the pup in the office behind a doggy gate while the visitor was there. When the pup started barking, I reached for the compressed air and shot it towards the ceiling. I looked up. Ceiling was red. I had accidently picked up the bear spray. I coughed in the room for the rest of the guest’s visit. I have now put the bear spray in a box with a big sign “BEAR SPRAY” on it.
