what should i do if a dog starts attacking me?

Question

should i run or play dead? i just want to protect myself if stray dogs start to chase after me. do i attack the dog? please help this is serious.

yes i've encountered 2 and only 1 started chasing after me. luckly i had a bottle of soda and i threw it at him and i just walked away carefully.

Answer 1

stand your ground dont run, that is the worst thing you can do just stand your ground and dont show them any fear

Answer 2

Depends on whether or not you give a darn about the health and safety of the dog. Running is a bad idea because most dogs are faster and more agile than you are and they will run you down! Playing dead only works if the animal is playing a game. If you are really being attacked by a strange dog, then go for the eyes and face...if he runs at you, kick him in the teeth or the bridge of the nose...if he has hold of you, use your fist to beat him on the bridge of his nose and/or stick your thumbs in his eyes and pop them right out of his skull. Yes, these strategies will hurt or kill the dog, but if you are being attacked and your life is in danger, you have to be willing to do what it takes to stop the dog.

Now if this is a friend or neighbor's dog, you may want to consider the wisdom of killing their pet (if you want to maintain the relationship). In this case, you need to make sure they are aware of the problem. You may also find some non-lethal solutions at the nearest pet supply store such as an air horn you can use to scare them away or some kind of repellant spray.

Answer 3

The puppy has gone from being a harmless puppy to being competition now that it is nearing adulthood. The adult dog is displaying his dominance over the puppy, trying to retain his position as the Alpha male in the pack. It is natural! This is what wolves and coyotes do too. Whether we like it or not, there is this natural struggle whenever you get a "pack" of dogs together, especially when there is a female present in the "pack". As long as the adult male is not going for "kill spots" or seriously trying to injure the younger dog, this should pass. If you feel that the younger dog is in danger, you may have to get rid of one of the males. The reason your adult male doesn't fight with your female is because that dominance has already been established. How does she treat the puppy? Does she ignore these fights or does she try to protect one of the males? That will tell you a lot about what kind of spat this is. Being around the puppy since it was six weeks old would give her some maternal instinct towards it. If she is doing nothing about the fights, like trying to protect the puppy, it is probably just a power struggle between the two males.

Answer 4

Dogs instinctively chase anything that runs by. If you see a stray dog stand up strait with your shoulder back head high and make your self look confident even if you don't feel it. If you look scared the dog will get you. You are not in a normal state and the dog will read this as prey animal. If you walk by with a confidant posture the dog might look at you but he will not do anything. Stray dogs are unbalanced and scarred. If it is a problem in your area call a local no-kill shelter to come pick them up.

Answer 5

To first answerer- Depending on where you live, there are regulations in regards to carrying pepper spray. In some countries, it is illegal. In some countries, you must be licensed to carry it. In the US, certain states forbid the sale to anyone not licensed, or in DC, to anyone who has not registered as a carrier with the police department.

To questioner- Just because a dog is "chasing" you means nothing. If a dog runs up to you and snarls, that means something. You do not play dead. I really do not understand what you mean by "do I attack the dog?" First of all, you stay calm. Dogs can sense people who are fearful of them. If you do get attacked, try to curl into a ball and cover your head. Your elbows or legs being bitten is far less severe than head trauma.

Answer 6

Stay calm unless the dog attacks you. If you see a stray dog call animal control, they will help the dog and protect you if it has people issues. If all else fails and your in a situation where a dog is actually running at you to attack you, try walking away calmly, if that doesn't work RUN LIKE HELL!
If the dog starts biting you then I say defend yourself.

Answer 7

It depends on WHY the dog is attacking you. It could be out of fear, aggressive dominance, madness or he could just be playing.
DO NOT make eye contact with an aggressive dog. It's a sign of dominance and a dog may consider it a challenge. If it's tail it up and it's growing walk slowly and calmly away, looking away from the dog. If it attacks you, fight back but use your superior human intellect. Kick it as it approaches and if this doesn't work, you need to get it in a headlock and hold it's jaws closed and get someone to call the police. Obviously easier said than done. This really only applies to a mentally ill dog because just an aggressive dominant one will, in theory, not attack if you leave in the appropriate manner.
If a dog approaches ears erect and panting, possibly barking but NEVER growling, he wants to play so play with him or walk away. Don't run.
if you are trespassing, a dog may attack you in defence of it's family/ territory. The best way out of this is to leave immediately.
Good luck but really, the chances of this happening are extremely remote.

Answer 8

This ever does happen, you try to get away at all cost. Fighting back in order to hurt the dog will probably only make the situation worse. Get away and get indoors. Be sure to also make as much noise as you possibly can, just like in any other attack. It may scare the dog and it could alert another person to the situation.

Let's hope you'll never have to deal with something like this, or anyone for that matter. If you're afraid of this, just avoid making direct contact with any dog you don't know.

Answer 9

Don't run, they have a chase instinct.
Walk with confidence, it will discourage them. (Think "I'm big, I'm huge, I'm a bad@ss mutherf****er and you don't want to f*** with me")
Don't stare in their eyes, it's seen as a challenge.
But don't look away from their eyes too quickly or it will be seen as submissive and an attack will be more likely (Meet the eyes, give them a "I see you" beat, then go about your business)

If a dog actually jumps you, aim a kick for the ribs or nose. Or carry a can of pepper spray (not mace) to use. If the dog persists and starts biting you, shove your arm/ hand in his mouth and keep it there. Your arm will be torn to hell but it will keep the dog from ripping up your face/ vital areas. If absolute worst come to worst, wrap your arms over you head and face and curl into a ball.

Answer 10

If you see a dog approaching, stop and face the dog. Don't ever run. Usually unless the dog is extremely aggressive you can back it down. If it has it's tail straight up in the air, advance to it in a firm show of dominance a few steps to claim your space. Never run. It will almost always cause the dog to chase you and nip at your heels or rear-end.
If a dog knocks you down, then yes protect your head and play dead.

Answer 11

Don't run. It is unlikely that a stray dog will attack but if one runs at you, quickly turn around as it gets close. this throws them off balance and will give you a few seconds to review the situation. Never, fight back if you are attacked, you will only make a bad situation worse.