First Interstate Organization

It took me a long time to get over my scare when I was approached by a dog while walking my own dogs. My own dogs are relatively mild tempered but when this stray came walking up to us all of the dogs were a little over anxious and then overpowered me. I do not want to harm a dog if it comes close but I do want to be able to warn it so that my own dogs do not get out of hand again. Would this be a typical situation where I could use pepper spray for dogs and get the reaction I want from a stray?