How to Avoid Dog Attack

Dogs have traveled some distance along the evolutionary road since the time when they hunted and killed for food. However, dogs still have the ability and inclination to attack in certain circumstances. In some dogs, this drive is quite pronounced and dog owners must be able to recognize and control it.

Most people are bitten by dogs because they misread the dog's intentions or react the wrong way when the dog approaches. Dogs have poor eyesight and, therefore, have to come very close to assess something. A dog seeing something moving past his yard will most likely bark and growl, which is his way of instilling fear in his foe; then he will run at the person.

Why the dog might attack
Some dogs are defending their territory, and they treat you the same on the road as they would if you walked up to the front door. That is, some will just bark, some will threaten but not bite, and some will attack, especially if you do anything provocative.

Some dogs are curious: Who is this strange person in these strange clothes! Once they have met you, they never bother you again.

Some want to chase and run. These dogs may bark and run after you, but they're just having fun. Some are pretending that they are hunting. These dogs will try to stop the bike, but they will do no harm.

Some dogs have been trained by the owner to chase and even attack and some dogs are following another dog's orders; often little puppy dog send a larger dog out onto the road. And some dogs just happen to be traveling along the road; they are as surprised by the encounter as you are.

How to Avoid Dog Attack
The simple fact is a dog is a dog. He will interpret your body language and voice tone in the only way he knows how and that is by his canine instinct. He has no idea that he's dealing with a different species.

If you study dogs in multiples for any period of time, you will see that they have rules and boundaries, leaders and followers, minders and hunters, nurturers and the nurtured. Their rules are simple, effective, cruel, instinctive and fashioned by Mother Nature with their survival in mind. In their world, food = survival. From their first blind fumbling at their mother's teats they learn that if you don't force your way to the food source, you'll keep getting pushed to the end of the queue.

Usually the dog needs to get very close to scent what it is, and this is when people usually get bitten. Instead of stopping and allowing the dog to sniff them, most people think the dog is trying to get close to bite them and they kick out at the dog or run. You can't outrun the dog, not even an Olympic sprinter could. All this does, however, is make the dog retaliate and attack. So don't scream. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don't turn and run. The best way to avoid an attack by a dog you see running at you is to stand totally still. Do not move a muscle, and do not try to pat the dog. Even some dogs that appear friendly might not like being touched. Wait for the dog to lose interest in you.

Here are a few more tips for avoiding dog attack
Don't run past a dog because dogs naturally love to chase and catch things. So don't give them a reason to be come excited or aggressive.
Never disturb a dog that's caring for puppies, sleeping or eating.
If a dog approaches to sniff you, stay still. In most cases, the dog will go away when it determines you are not a threat.
If you fall or are knocked to the ground by a dog, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face.
If confronted by a dog trying to sniff you, stand still, don't try to run away. Most dogs will move away after determining that you are not a threat.
If you think a dog may attack, remain motionless with hands at your sides. Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until the dog is out of sight.

That's all, I hope it will help, though keep in mind we have no responsibility for injuries incurred to you or your dog as the result of the tips presented here

Sun, Feb 24 2007

rcg says:

Wow, that's the best advice and the first correct advice that I have seen in many years. Did you know that the dog whisperer recommends direct eye contact to dominate the dog? Which will work on many "domestic" dogs who are just "playing" but will challenge a serious dog. And pardon my harshness, but I know what the hell I am talking about. I have had numerous and varied experiences with dogs, both wild and domestic. One example comes to mind first: As a youth, my friends and I used to ride our mini bikes through a landfill that had vicious packs of roaming dogs - and on some occasions the bikes broke down and we had to push the bikes out of there. Anyhoo, it was a thrill to ride though the "badlands" on our bikes as the packs chased us. And yes, some of my friends did get mauled. It didn't stop us though; what can I say? I ran with a rough pack. ;-) P.S. Two exceptions: 1. When confronted by a strange lone aggressive dog, I always remained motionless with my hands covering my privates. and it has never failed. 2. One time when a pack attacked me, I made the quick decision that this time they were not simply going to sniff me and leave (as single/lone dogs always do and packs often do) - so I round kicked the leader in the ribs; I felt my foot go deep inside him and he screamed "Arrrrrrg" and ran off. I guess he was the leader because the rest left with him. I don't know if that was the best decision, but it worked.

Sat, Aug 10 2007

Martin says:

I understand this but how can i prevent my dog from attacking or barking at strangers?

Sun, Mar 15 2008

WOW says:

rcg ur cool i bet you showd that dog whos boss ur so smart lol

Thu, Feb 18 2009

WEE says:

What do you do if a dog still runs after you when you stay still

Sun, Apr 25 2009

Josh says:

If you put yourself in a place or position where you know that you may encounter dogs wherever you're going or are, then I suggest a LARGE pepper spray. If being non-threatening and standing still does not discourage the animal to leave you alone, then spray them in the face, directly, two or three times. Make sure you get them good in the face. They'll leave you alone. Another thing is to carry a stick. A big stick, walking stick, etc. This will allow you to use it between you and the animal if it attacks and you can beat the crap out of it with the stick as well, if need be. I love animals, but I will not put up with aggressive dogs and would not hesitate to hurt one if it tried to harm me.

Thu, Jun 17 2009

Daskull says:

hi i always been told that dogs only chase ppl who run but what happend is that i got biten like aweek ago by like 6 of the street dogs i had sum friends with me who ran away when they saw tha dogs coming barking at em but i know i wouldn't bet biten by em as long as i stand still but they bitend me that's when i had to ran away and posion them later on lol but still some of em are alive

Tue, Aug 17 2009

like 1 hour ago a dog bittmy jeans says:

that left me disturbed... i guess that dog was vicious cause I stood there motionless but he still pulled my jeans from one of my legs i think that if i was in shorts he could just bite my leg... so im a bit affraid. i guess like 6 months ago that same dog bit a senior woman... since the owner of the dog is a crazy man people cant do or say anything.

Wed, Sep 1 2009

Sydra says:

The dog whisperer does not recommend direct eye contact with an aggressive dog. Where did you get that from? Do you even watch the show? You probably took that out of context. Obviously if you are out walking on a trail and a strange, aggressive dog approaches you snarling , barking and growling, you are not going to look directly into its eyes. Approaching your own dog for behavioural issues and being approached by an unknown , aggressive dog on public land are two entirely different scenarios. Before you start accusing someone, don't give partial info. Get your source info correct at least.

Tue, Oct 19 2009

Ceasar Million (as in Making Millions off u idiots says:

you is suck! dog whisperer says u suck!

Sun, Jan 9 2010

ma.teresa says:

thank you that is a good advice. where did you got it?

Thu, Mar 24 2010

rasheed says:

do u have any ide,how to avoid dog disturb,means dog coming the house and sleeping on the veranda

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