What to do if a strange dog approaches you? Here’s the Answer

Responding to an Attack

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It can be scary when a dog you don’t know approaches you, but with a little preparation, you can stay safe. Since dogs respond to your body language, try to stand still with your arms relaxed to show you’re not a threat. Don’t wave your arms or make direct eye contact, since this can be seen as aggressive by the dog. Speak slowly and calmly to it. If you’re afraid of the dog, slowly and calmly back away from it. Running from the dog will only encourage it to chase you. If it jumps on you, say “Down” or “Go home” in a stern but calm voice so it backs off. To learn how to deal with a dog attack, read on.

  • Anonymous “Great information! Thanks I had a dog run at my family and me, it was a Bull Mastif mix. My youngest wanted to run, but I stopped her. I was terrified but I think the dog just wanted to play, the owner came out and got him. Thank god! Scary thing to go through.”…” more
  • Choose the Right Environment to Walk Your Dog

    The first thing to note is that leash laws are in place for a reason and should be followed to keep yours and other dogs safe.

    If you want to take your dog out off-leash, please use the designated off-leash areas in your city. Off-leash parks are a great way to socialize with other dogs and the people that also choose to come to that park. Just because a dog is generally well-behaved off leash, doesn’t mean that every on-leash dog they meet will be receptive to this interaction.

    Always choose the environment that is right for your dog’s personality and training. If your dog is leash reactive, easily spooked, or shows aggressive tendencies towards other dogs, then you should avoid areas with off-leash dogs and high traffic.

    If you take your dog to an off-leash park, be open to your dog meeting other animals. If your dog is not dog-friendly, then this is not the place for them.

    It’s your responsibility to leave an area that your dog isn’t comfortable or safe in, even if other pet owners are breaking the law. Preventing an attack is always better than trying to break one up.

    Before we get into tips for handling unwanted interactions, it’s important to recognize the body of the approaching dog. How they approach your dog will help you decide the most appropriate way to react in the moment.

    Regardless of the behaviours of the approaching dog, teaching your dog good walking behaviours will be invaluable if you need to provide quick direction to your dog. You may need to make snap decisions and a well-trained dog will be able to follow your lead.

    If a situation looks like it might turns negative, the first action should be to try and place your dog behind you and guide your dog away from a dangerous situation. Never get in the middle of your dog and the other if either is attacking. You might get bit!

    Use Short Verbal Commands

    If a dog begins to rush you, stay calm and try to exude confidence. If the dog gets too close for your comfort, use common verbal commands to distract or stop the animal. Always give commands in a clear, assertive manner at mid-volume to ensure that the dog knows youre serious.

    Try “stop” and “no” first. Many dogs respond to these commands even when they feel threatened or playful. If the dog attempts to jump up on you, try “down” as a command and take the additional steps listed in section six.

    What to do if an aggressive dog approaches you | KVUE

    On “The Early Show” Tuesday, resident veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner Bell offered important pointers on preventing — and treating — dog bites. She also had words to the wise about keeping your dog from becoming aggressive.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States each year, and one-in-five bites requires medical attention – some 800,000 a year.

    Not only that, but children are most at risk, especially those between the ages of 5 and 9.

    There are several reasons a dog will bite, and many of them have nothing to do with being mean. More often than not, a dog will bite out of fear, rather than aggression. Dogs that feel threatened, unsure, or challenged will respond by biting as a self-defense mechanism. Dogs that havent been spayed or neutered may display aggressive behavior related to their sex drive. Dogs are territorial creatures and will protect their turf. So a dog might bite if its food, toys, or pups are bothered. A surprised dog will bite. If you approach a dog unexpectedly or he doesnt hear you coming, his instinct might be to bite out of fear. Dogs that havent been properly behavior-trained and socialized are more likely to bite.

    In short, ALL DOGS are capable of biting. Theres no one breed or type of dog thats more likely to bite than others. Biting has more to do with circumstances, behavior, training (or lack thereof), and ignorance on the part of human beings.

    According to HealthyPet.com: “A study performed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the CDC, and the Humane Society of the United States, analyzed dog bite statistics from the last 20 years and found that the statistics dont show that any breeds are inherently more dangerous than others. The study showed that the most popular large breed dogs at any one time were consistently on the list of breeds that bit fatally. There were a high number of fatal bites from Doberman pinschers in the 1970s, for example, because Dobermans were very popular at that time and there were more Dobermans around, and because Dobermans size makes their bites more dangerous. The number of fatal bites from pit bulls rose in the 1980s for the same reason, and the number of bites from Rottweilers in the 1990s. The study also noted that there are no reliable statistics for nonfatal dog bites, so there is no way to know how often smaller breeds are biting.”

    1) First get the “OK” from the owner! 2) Hold out your hand, fingers closed, palm down, slowly toward the dog. Allow the dog to approach your hand and sniff it. 3) Wait for the dogs “OK.” If he wants your affection, he will lower his head, perk ears, or even come closer to you. If the dogs puts his ears back, flat on his head, or growls, or cowers, dont pet him! 4) Pat the dog on the top of his head, or along his back. Avoid touching his belly, tail, ears, or feet.

    1) Running toward an unfamiliar dog. 2) Getting eye-level, very close, and smiling. When you smile at the dog, he thinks youre “bearing your teeth” at him. Thats an invitation to fight! 3) “Surprising” a dog (sneaking up on her or startling her while shes sleeping) Often, the dogs defense mechanism will kick in, and she will bite in self-defense. 4) Ignoring their warning! If a dogs barks ferociously or growls when you approach his territory, bed, etc. and you continue, that is an engraved invitation to get bitten. They are warning you that they dont like that and to stop. Listen!! 5) Inappropriate touching: Dogs generally dont like their ears, tail and feet tugged. Some dont like being inverted and rubbed on their belly. This is a position of submission and an aggressive dog will resist this “challenge” vigorously.

    1) Remain calm and still. Dont run. This is a race you will not win. If you are alone, back away slowly. Do not turn your back. 2) If you are on the ground, curl into a fetal position, cover your head with your arms, and keep your fingers curled in a fist. 3) Avoid eye contact. Remember, staring an aggressive dog in the eyes is a challenge. 4) Do not smile at the dog 5) Use a soft, soothing tone of voice. Loud, angry-sounding words and screaming only spur on the dog. 6) If he bites you, DO NOT PULL AWAY. This only spurs the dog on. Remain calm. Try to put something between you and the dog like your purse, jacket, bicycle, backpack, etc. Dont hit the dog. Again, just makes the situation worse.

    WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET BITTEN 1) If the bite is serious, call 911. 2) Wash the bite wound thoroughly with soap and water. If the wound is deep, painful, discolored, or swollen, contact your medical professional. 3) If possible, confirm the dogs rabies vaccination status. 4) Report the bite to your local authorities and veterinarian.

    1) Spay or neuter your animal. This is not only good for the health of your dog, it can decrease the dogs drive to roam, and compete for the affections of the opposite sex. Often, intact dogs (those that have not been spayed or neutered) are more territorial, aggressive and protective. 2) Avoid playing “tug of war” with a dog. Many dogs interpret this as aggression. If they “win,” they feel empowered. If they feel threatened, they may try to retaliate. 3) Avoid “roughhousing” with, or other sudden movements toward the dogs owner. Many dogs will see this as an attack on their owner, and will attack you to defend the owner. 4) Socialize and behavior-train your dog. 5) Do not try to take food or toy away from a dog. NEVER bother a dog while he is eating. The most common situation where a dog bite occurs is while a dog is eating! 6) Have enough toys for your multiple dog household, so that the dogs dont have to share. They also should not share food and water bowls. 7) Do not allow your dog to roam unsupervised or off-leash.

    Pablo (A863679) — 3 yr. male Chihuahua. 7 pounds. Came in as a stray. Very nice.

    If youre interested in adopting Pablo or Coco, contact New York Animal Care and Control. The phone number is 646 235 8127.

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