Dogs and bears don't mix

keep dogs on a leash when in bear country

We can't stress enough how important it is for all dog owners to keep their pets on a leash when walking close to our wildlife. However well trained the dog, or however well he responds to you in a normal situation, it’s not enough in most emergencies involving a bear. And while bear attacks are unlikely and rare, a three-year study of 92 attacks in North America showed fully half of them involved a dog off leash.

Dogs and wildlife don't interact very well.

When bears are in a stage of hyperphagia prior to denning they are consumed with gaining fat reserves. This is a crucial time for them. Being chased and harassed by off leash dogs can cause our bears to become stressed, abandon their feeding and as a result lose calories and the energy necessary to survive through the winter.

"Dogs that are walking with their owners sometimes run off into the woods to harass bears. Usually the bear runs away, and the dogs come back wagging their tails. But mothers with cubs have chased some dogs away. In a few instances, the dogs retreated behind their owners, bringing mother bears and owners face to face. When the mothers paused, the dogs resumed harassing the mothers in at least three instances, creating stories of dogs defending owners. One owner punched a mother bear in the nose, and the bear hit back, causing minor injury." (credit https://bear.org/what-about-bears-and-dogs/)

Often people make a decision to get new dogs as companions, but, unfortunately, do not put the effort into training their pet. The number of off-leash dogs chasing our coast bears is increasing. Some owners do not seem to realize the impact and stress this causes our wildlife, even when the dog does not make contact.

Our bears are very timid, not ferocious and can be easily scared and stressed by even small dogs. dogs can provoke an escalation and potential risk to themselves and their owners by drawing bears to them as they defend either their cubs or food sources.

Click on videos below for examples.

Dog And Bear Encounter: What To Do

If your off-leash dog charged a bear who decides to retaliate your only recourse is bear spray. But assuming you’re still in control of the dog and the situation has not escalated:

1. IF THE BEAR HAS NOT SEEN YOU: Quietly and quickly leave the area, but never run—you’ll look like prey. A bear can run faster than 30 mph—a bear will easily outrun, outclimb, and outswim you.

2. IF THE BEAR HAS SEEN YOU: Keep your dog close and calm if the bear stays 15 feet or more away, avoiding sudden movements. Respect the bear’s critical space, do not approach him/her, and try to walk back slowly and leave how you came. If you must continue, take a detour and give the bear plenty of space.

3. IF THE BEAR’S BEHAVIOUR CHANGES: You’re too close, so back away—give him/her all the room he/she wants. Speak: use a normal tone of voice and move your arms.

4. IF YOU HAVE AN ENCOUNTER AT CLOSE RANGE: Stand upright and make yourself as large as possible. Don’t make direct eye contact—speak in a calm, assertive, and assuring tone as you attempt to slowly back up and get your dog and yourself out of the potential conflicting situation.

5. IF THE BEAR MOVES TOWARD YOU: Wave your arms and make a lot of noise—most bears will back off quickly. Throw an object on the ground (your camera, for example), as the bear may investigate it long enough for you to escape. But never toss food towards a bear or attempt to feed it.

6. GIVE THE BEAR A WAY OUT: leave an escape route open for him/her.

7. IF THE BEAR CHANRGES: If you know the bear has an escape route AND you are sure it’s a black bear, stand tall and look him/her directly in the eye: yell at the bear and tell him/her to leave—make sure your bear spray is at the ready. Never use this strategy with a grizzly bear; you will need to use your bear spray instead.