While we don’t wish to stereotype, it is a fact that certain dog breeds are naturally more aggressive than others and have been bred to cause more damage. Whether it’s for sport or war, some breeds have been raised for their size, aggression, strength, and tenacity, and if not controlled in a managed setting, they can be fatal.
If for some reason you do find yourself in a dangerous situation with a dog, you must know what to do and how to react. And while dog bites are more common than full-blown attacks, they do happen.
Here’s a complete guide on what to do if you are attacked by a dog.
What Type of Behavior Suggests a Dog is About to Attack?
There are typically 13 most dangerous dog breeds, so if you find yourself in the vicinity of one, you should look out for particular behaviors that might warrant an attack.
Remember that every breed is different, so there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ scenario, but the most obvious signs to look out for include:
- Snarling
- Charging
- Growling
- Lunging
- Baring teeth
Some of the more subtle signs include a small freeze or a brief period of tension.
What to Do if a Dog is Being Aggressive Towards You
If a dog starts becoming aggressive towards you, there are certain actions you can take to try and deescalate the situation. These include:
- Avoiding eye contact.
- Crossing your arms.
- Slowly turning your body to the side.
- Ignoring the dog.
- Stand still for a moment and then slowly walk away.
- Finding a location where there is a barrier between the dog and yourself.
What if That Does Not Work?
If those actions do not calm the dog down, you must:
- Stand absolutely stationary.
- If you can, calmly ask someone (without shouting) nearby to help you.
- If you are on the ground, curl yourself slowly into a ball on your knees, making sure you protect your head and throat by clasping your hands behind your neck.
Don’t Try and Communicate With the Dog
You mustn’t try to engage with the dog, as any friendly or soft communication could aggravate them even further. Instead, make sure you completely ignore it – the more boring to the dog you are, the less likely it will attack you.
What Should You Do if the Dog Starts to Lunge?
Knowing what to do in this situation is essential, as it could be the difference between being brutally attacked and not:
- Find something you can use as a barrier to put between the dog and yourself so that you can redirect the dog’s bite.
- Try and move to a position that is higher than the dog. They will find it much harder to reach and bite you from below.
- Try and keep quiet, especially no screaming. This could aggravate the dog even more.
- Cover the dog’s head with a blanket or a shirt so it cannot see. This could cause the dog to disengage and give you a chance to move away.
- In the rare event that a dog is viscously attacking you (as opposed to trying to bite), try and get to the ground and curl up in a ball until it loses interest. Make sure you cover your head and neck again as previously directed.
Know the Signs
Once you know the signs of a potential dog attack, you have more of a chance of being able to remove yourself from the situation or deescalate it. Memorize the above actions and try and keep yourself as safe as possible.
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