Woman Walking Her Dog Forgets Bear Spray and Comes Face-to-Face With a Grizzly

It's the kind of mistake you hope never comes back to haunt you. Wilderness Escape Adventures recently shared a video submitted by one of their clients, who realized she'd forgotten her bear spray just moments before coming face-to-face with a grizzly bear while out walking her dog. Needless to say, it left viewers holding their breath.

What stands out most is how remarkably calm she remains throughout the encounter. Rather than panicking, she quickly assessed the situation, stood her ground, made herself appear intimidating, and used her voice to convince the bear to move along. It's a tense reminder of just how important it is to stay composed during a wildlife encounter, and yes, you'll definitely want the sound on for this one.

@wildernessescape.alberta

To be clear, neither I nor Wilderness Escape Adventures was involved in this incident in any way. One of my clients of the week sent me this video, and after it went viral I was able to connect with the lady directly. Here is her story: She had just grabbed her morning coffee spoon still in the mug and stepped outside to walk her dog down the gravel driveway. they were both tired from the previous day hikes so she only planned to be out 5 minutes, just 100 meters from camp. Turned to head back, and two seconds later there was the bear. She nearly didn't pick up that leash in time. The bear was acting different. Curious. Fixated on her dog. She had a gut feeling something was about to happen and hit record. What you see is what unfolded next. That jingle you hear? Not a bear bell it was the spoon in her coffee mug. When the camera starts shaking, that's the moment she threw the mug down the driveway, which spooked the bear into the forest. When she saw him go to investigate it, she ran. She looked back - he was chasing her. She darted into one of the tents at camp, while others nearby yelled and waved their arms as a distraction. She made it inside with her dog and spent the next 15 minutes rewatching the footage until the bear wandered off and chased a moose. The conservation officer who responded didn't even believe it over the phone "A bear circling a pedestrian within 5 meters? That's not real." His jaw dropped at the footage. Standing on all fours, that bear's head was level with hers and she is 5'2". In her 3 years in the area with at least 10 grizzly encounters, she had never seen anything like it. Honestly she handled this remarkably well under pressure. She stayed calm, kept moving, used what she had, and her dog stayed controlled the entire time. That composure and that leash are likely what kept this from turning into a tragedy. Credit where it's due. A managed, limited grizzly hunt in Alberta when done responsibly funds conservation, reduces conflict, and keeps bears naturally wary of humans. A bear with no fear of people is a bear that will eventually get put down. That natural distance protects both sides. Something worth considering. Bears are not evil. They are not aggressive by nature toward humans this video proves that. But they are powerful, unpredictable and lethal even when just curious. Never become complacent. She thought nothing could happen in 5 minutes or 100 meters. Lesson learned. And here is the part that stings if she had carried bear spray and used it when he first came too close, that bear would have learned to associate humans with something unpleasant and kept his distance. He never got that lesson. Which means the next person he approaches that boldly may face an even bolder bear. Always carry bear spray it works. And if you love the wilderness but aren't confident out there alone, go with a guide. There is no shame in that, it could save your life. .#wilderness#grizzly#kananaskis#bears#Hiking

original sound - Wildernessescape.adventures

While the video was only a minute and 20 seconds long, it sure felt longer. Wilderness Escape Adventures shared more details in the caption. "She was carrying a bear bell (that's basically ringing the dinner bell - I advise against it) but NO bear spray. Bears are extremely curious about dogs, as shown in this video.

Situations like this are extremely dangerous for both humans and animals. This could have been prevented. She was unprepared and/or poorly informed, and should have known better. Always carry bear spray! If something had actually happened, that bear would have been put down, and it could have been completely prevented if she had used bear spray the first time he came too close."

Related: Wildlife Photographer Shares the Story Behind an Intimidating Photo of a Grizzly Bear

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What Should You Do If You Encounter a Grizzly While Walking Your Dog?

What would you do if you suddenly came face-to-face with a bear? For many people, the first instinct is to run. But that's exactly what wildlife experts say not to do. Running can trigger a bear's instinct to chase, and no human is going to outrun a grizzly.

While bears generally prefer to avoid people and will often move away if they hear you coming, surprising one at close range can be dangerous. According to the National Park Service, the most important thing you can do is stay calm. Speak in a steady, calm voice so the bear recognizes you as a human rather than prey.

The National Park Service also advises, "Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening."

It's a terrifying situation to imagine, but knowing how to react before it happens could make all the difference.

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This story was originally published June 27, 2026 at 6:00 PM.