Defensive Dog Handling

About the Course

Most walks are uneventful. This course is for the ones that aren’t.

Defensive Dog Handling is practical, confidence-building training for dog owners and professionals who want a clear plan when another dog approaches, a situation escalates or dogs make contact. The emphasis is always on prevention, protection and getting away safely.

What You’ll Learn
- Reading the Approach: Recognise the difference between rude, overexcited and genuinely threatening behaviour.
- Preventing Contact: Use movement, body position, leads, barriers and the environment to protect your dog.
- Managing an Escalation: Know what to do when an off-lead dog keeps approaching and how to avoid making the situation worse.
- If Dogs Make Contact: Understand safer separation options, what not to do, and how to prevent a second incident.
- Afterwards: Secure both dogs, check for easily missed injuries, gather useful information and know when veterinary help is needed.

Practical Skills Covered
Emergency turns and rapid exits
Lead handling under pressure
Body positioning and barrier use
Staged approaches in a controlled setting
Safer separation principles
Immediate injury checks
Incident recording and reporting
Helping your dog recover confidence afterwards

Course Details
Location: Dogworthy HQ, Cayton Road, Greenford, UB6 8BJ
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: £45 per person

Who It’s For: Dog owners, trainers, walkers, groomers, pet sitters and anyone responsible for a dog in public.
 

This is not about learning to fight dogs or becoming frightened of every off-lead dog. It is about sensible prevention, confident handling and having a plan when “Don’t worry, he’s friendly!” turns out not to be especially useful.