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What would you do if you were faced with a life-and-death situation in the wilderness with your dog by your side? Most pet parents hope never to answer that question.
Sometimes, however, you have to make a split-second decision. And for one woman hiking in the Canadian Rockies, that split second came last week.
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The unnamed woman, who posted a video online of an encounter with a grizzly bear, was out for a morning walk at a wilderness camp in Kananaskis, Alberta. She was not far from the camp when a grizzly bear appeared, and she was with her leashed dog.
In the next 60 seconds, she screamed and shouted as many times as she could to keep the bear away from her dog.
When Instincts Say Run, You Might Be Better off Staying
In the video, the woman repeatedly says, “No,” “Stop,” and “Enough” to keep the bear away. Her voice is firm and steady as the bear is trying to reach her dog.
Many viewers noticed how calm the dog remained. He felt safe beside his mom and never let a single voice.
As one viewer commented under the YouTube video, “Her dog not barking once. He was like, I’m not adding more to this situation.”
Related: Sanctuary Rescues 27 Endangered Bears From a Farm—and They’re Total Sweethearts
One Minute of Sustained Tension
Jelmer de Blois, a local hiking guide who shared the video online, explained that the bear was probably a younger grizzly. He believes the bear was more interested in the dog, as the video shows. However, curiosity from a 600-pound wild animal is a dangerous one.
Just watching the video will make your heart race. Viewers under the YouTube video admitted as well.
One commenter said, “My heart is pounding. I would have passed out.” Another joked, “I think I would have shyt my pants about 21 times. Thank god this lady and her beautiful dog are safe.”
And as always, there were funny comments, as one said, “The bear decided she was too unstable to mess with.”
How to Act if You See a Bear?
The common advice when encountering bears is to play dead. But when you have a dog by your side, that is not an option. Even the best-trained dog might not be able to play dead when a 600-pound wild animal sniffs him.
The National Park Service recommends standing your ground and identifying yourself as a human. That is what this lady did. She shouted “Enough” and “Stop” in a firm tone.
Do Not Forget Bear Spray
The woman in the video didn’t have bear spray with her, and that might be her single biggest mistake. If you plan to spend time in bear country, always bring spray with you. That is the most important practical rule to follow. The next one? Always keep your dog leashed.
Watching this video might be nerve-racking. But it also serves as a good reminder of the bond most pet parents have with their loved ones. Faced with an impossible situation, she never stopped protecting her dog!
Related: The First Thing You Should Do When a Bear Enters Your Yard (and What to Never Do)
This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Jun 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.