Being attacked by a dog can be very frightening. In the moment, it can be easy to panic and act out in fear by running or yelling. However, these actions can escalate the problem. Sometimes dog attacks are unavoidable, but there are steps you can take to prevent serious injury and minimize the damage when faced with an aggressive dog.
It is not normal for dogs to attack humans. In most cases, dogs act out in aggression only if they feel threatened. When a dog is already agitated, making loud noises or movements will encourage the dog to lash out. It is vital to stay calm, stand still, and avoid eye contact with the dog. Animals can sense fear and it is better to “play dead” in the hopes that they will lose interest and move on.
If the dog does not lose interest, try offering them something else to focus on. Take off a shoe or give them your water bottle to chew on. Do anything to deflect its attention away from you.
If the above steps have not worked, it is time for you to use self-defense. Dog attacks can be fatal, and at this point you should do everything in your power to fight back.
