06/08/2026
Can I pet that dawg? First of all, it’s not a dog, that’s a bear.
But what happens when you have a dog, plus a bear? Well, that spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E my friends.
Black bears aren’t naturally confrontational or aggressive, but dog behavior is more complex. Some dogs bark, lunge, or bite from fear, while others have a nature response to chase. Protective breeds may want to guard their homes or humans, but some dogs just like to bark for no reason.
To a bear, though, the dog’s reason doesn’t matter — any of these behaviors can be seen as a threat, sending the bear into defense mode.
We’ve got some great tips on how to prevent negative bear/dog interactions from happening whether you live in bear country or are just walking through!
Feed your pets indoors. If you must feed them outdoors, remove bowls once empty.
Install motion security lights and check yard before letting your dog out.
If you see a bear, immediately bring your dog inside, even if it’s within a fence.
If walking, always keep your dog on a non-retractable leash.
Avoid walking at dawn or dusk in areas with known bear activity.
If your dog gets into an encounter with a bear, DO NOT try to rescue it. Make loud noises (air horns work well) or use bear spray in an attempt to startle or scare off the bear. There’s about a 50% chance your dog could get injured or killed if involved in a bear conflict and an even higher chance, you’ll be injured if you try to intervene.
While not every encounter may end the same, it’s best to be prepared to keep you and your four-legged friend safe.
BearWise
