Reddit mentions of SprayShield Animal Deterrent Spray with Belt Clip

I actually do not think this is the right route here. Your dog is clearly agitated by the interaction, so introducing positive punishment (air horn) is more likely to increase your dog's agitation about oncoming dogs in the future.

Here's what I might try instead:

• Teach a replacement behavior. The one that comes to mind and might work really well here is a "behind" cue. This is really easy to teach: Say the cue "behind!" and toss a small handful of cookies behind you. With practice, your dog will start associating the word with getting food behind you, making him more likely to get behind you to block oncoming dogs. You might also work on asking your dog for other behaviors (sit, lie down) while your dog is still behind you. Practice this at home and slowly increase distractions.
  
  
• Ask other owners to call/leash their dogs. This is sometimes easier said than done, but IME 85% of the time the other owner is competent enough to understand that there might be some conflict.
  
  
• If the dog approaches and you cannot get your dog behind you: What happens if you drop the leash? I know, I know, this sounds terrifying. But often with my leash-reactive guy who I almost always walk on leash, dropping the leash when a strange dog approaches and all else fails usually results in him being more able to greet the dog in a natural way and decrease any tension and frustration caused by the leash.
  
  
• Finally: I know that sometimes EVERYTHING fails and all goes to shit. I recommend carrying spray shield for those circumstances, just so you can break up a fight if needed. This would be my last resort if everything fails and the dogs are going at it, though.

OPEN LETTER TO EVERYBODY THAT'S MAD ABOUT THE PEPPER SPRAY:
I'm going to plug a product called Sprayshield/DirectStop. It's a citronella spray that has the same effect as a 10% pepper spray with none of the lasting burning and painful effects off pepper spray. Plus it won't make you cry even if it gets in your eyes!

I work at a doggy day care and we have this stuff on us at all times in case a fight breaks out. Every time I've seen it used, all agression stops dead – while sometimes with pepper spray the dog gets even more agressive due to the pain.

https://www.amazon.ca/SprayShield-ANIMAL-DETERRENT-Citronella-Spray/dp/B0002XKIV6

>Is there something I can spray an attacking dog with, without causing a lot of pain or lasting harm?

There are citronella sprays used to deter roaming dogs (not for training, but for safety). I understand that they don't have the harmful/painful effects of pepper spray, but you still wouldn't want it to go in your dog's face by accident. Spray Shield

In the case of non-aggressive off-leash dogs, you could also consider carrying a bag of tiny high value treats with you (e.g. tiny bits of hot dog). Throw a handful at the face of an approaching dog, the pieces will scatter, and he'll sniff around to find them all. That only works if you have many treats though--toss one or two and he'll just follow you for more.

>The problem is, these unleashed dogs sometimes come out of the blue - around a corner - with no warning.

You can take some practical steps to make your dog less of a target for the roamers.

• avoid the really bad areas, if possible
  
• silence the jingling of your dog's tags and leash using rubber bands. Tags jingling is a trigger for many dogs.
  
• walk with your dog at heel or behind you, so you see and intercept threats before she does.
  
  >I'd love to get your advice and/or recommendations for a trainer.
  
  In terms of training, there are a bunch of things you can do. Working in-person with a trainer is a great option. In searching for a trainer, look for someone with real certifications--professional experience alone doesn't cut it. Before committing to work with the trainer, ask specifically about the trainer's experience with fear-based aggression, leash reactivity, and positive socialization. Stay far away from anyone who offers to "fix" the problem in one visit, or who deals with fear/anxiety-based aggression by correcting the dog. That will only make things worse.
  
  Some of the training options a good trainer might recommend include:
  
  
• BAT (Behavior Adjustment Training) to teach your dog to use calming signals instead of offensive warnings to diffuse tension with other dogs
  
• Loose leash walking, so your dog doesn't feel tension on the leash when near other dogs
  
• Practice mock-greetings with easygoing, passive decoy dogs, to build confidence
  
• Teaching emergency maneuvers like about-turns, sitting behind you, and redirecting attention back to you
  
• LAT (look at that), a training tool method that rewards the fearful dog for looking at the scary thing, turning it into a fun game
  
• Counterconditioning - changing the way she feels when she sees a dog by associating dogs with enjoyable feelings, pavlov style.
  
• Desensitization - gradually exposing her to dogs at a pace she can handle
  
  A lot of those methods, especially BAT and Desensitization, require control over the situation though, and with roaming dogs that's not always possible. Ideally, you could set up mock-situations and practice with those sorts of methods, and use the other methods in real world situations.
  
  In the sidebar, any of the links in the "Fear and/or Aggression" or "Choosing a Trainer" sections might be useful.

There are ways to make a dog let go. Choke it. Also there is such a thing as dog mace. It is usually citronella based and very effective against most dogs (aim for the nose). I've had a lot of experience using it to break up dog fights. Much better than trying to pull them apart.

Another method to handle such issues is by carying Spray Shield. It is a citronella based spray that shocks dogs systems long enough for you to gain control of the situation. I carry this as well as another least with me (for strays) on my walks. Luckily I have yet yo be required to use it, but I hear a lot of good things from the rescues I deal with (we foster) and my wife hears good things from her customers (she works at a pet goods store).

They make citronella based products, generally referred to as "shield sprays." Definitely not as intense as pepper spry but allegedly gets the job done.

http://www.amazon.com/SprayShield-Animal-Deterrent-Spray-Belt/dp/B0002XKIV6

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002XKIV6

I recommend using this stuff rather than pepper spray. It's very effective yet painless to the dog, and painless if it blows back in your face. I swear by it.

You might want to start carrying Spray Shield. It won't hurt the dog but is supposed to stop them. Maybe carry real pepper spray as a back up, just in case.

Are you walking them in your apartment complex, or in a neighborhood? If it's happening in the complex you can report them to the office or whoever's in charge there.

Please consider carrying Spray Shield instead.

Wow, so much bad advice here.

Just get this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/SprayShield-Animal-Deterrent-Spray-Belt/dp/B0002XKIV6 My wife used to work at an animal shelter and they used this stuff all the time. Safest way to break up a fight.

Thanks. I lived in Dallas for 18 years and Denton for 4. What struck me there was how many people had dogs they just left in their backyards. No walks, no love, no respite from the heat. Why own dogs in the first place?? Grr.

I hope your dad stays safe. Someone else commented that spray shield works well.

To begin with, I would start the relaxation protocol. This protocol will help the pup relax in both good and bad situations. I would also look into picking up the book Controlled Unleashed and practicing LAt (look At That). You should also practice emergency u-turns. You should find a local R+ trainer to help you with the basics.

You need to do everything you can to avoid nasty interactions, every bad interaction will compound on previous interactions. It is our job to protect our dogs. These bad experiences breaks a trust "my human is not going to protect me, so I need to take matters into my own hands". Leash reactivity generally grows from targeting 1 dog, then a type or breed of dogs, eventually evolving to EVERY visible dog within 1/4+ mile.

One option if the other dog is out of control, carry an umbrella to scare off the other dog, just make sure that your dog is OK with the umbrella flapping, you can accomplish this through desensitization and counter conditioning. There is also a product called Spray Shield which is a citronella based product to ward off any unleashed dogs. Most communities have leash laws, I would consider telling the owner of the other dog that I will be calling the police on them if they continue to let their dog off leash. There is a reason communities have leash laws and examples like this are a perfect example of why.

Yes. Always. https://www.amazon.com/SprayShield-Animal-Deterrent-Spray-Belt/dp/B0002XKIV6

Give the citronella spray a try, my dad is animal control and gave me a can to use when running (neighbors dogs try nipping at my ankles). Its harmless to the dogs but it should shut them up. This is the same type he gave me

Spray Shield saved my little guy just the other day from on off leash dog.

Get some. Carry it. It works. Seriously.