[yorkietalkjilly]

Yes, when you see a dog ears come up, eyes lock on your dog or you, tail come up or sometimes down and out, and wagging slowly back and forth or frozen in place, begin to be aware he's checking you out. Calm your dog so he doesn't lunge ahead or invite an attack by his behavior however you must but usually going ahead and whooshing open the umbrella at this point and just staying in place, slightly averting your eyes but keeping the umbrella between you, your dog and that oncoming dog until he turns away or passes by is wisest.

If he keeps coming at you and your dog isn't part of the problem - not growling or bouncing around - then you have a big problem as that dog is not afraid of that umbrella! Here is where some will slowly start to walk toward the dog, rolling the umbrella back and forth, making themselves as big as possible and intent on backing him down. You have to know dogs very well and have handled a lot of big ones to pull this off because he will smell any fear and sense purpose and total confidence. Others say back away with the umbrella in place but don't turn your back on him until you are safely away. Depends on you, your own dog, the situation and what you know of your ability to handle a possibly vicious dog. Ninety-nine percent of dogs will just back off when they see that big umbrella blossom open before their eyes - unsure of what just happened - and go their way. If he keeps coming, prepare to deal with him and go ahead and call 911 with FastDial. Better to be safe and you can always cancel the call if something does intervene to stop the attack at the last moment. BTW, if you have a deterrent spray with you and the wind swirls the wrong way at the last moment before using it, you could render yourself helpless so strong consider that, too. After Jilly's attack, I never leave home to walk my dog without the umbrella and now, a cell phone, too.