to Protect Yourself from Dogs While Walking
to Protect Yourself from Dogs While Walking
If you enjoy walking outside, then it’s inevitable that you are going to encounter dogs. Most dogs will be accompanied by their owner, but you may occasionally cross paths with a dog that’s off its leash. Whether a dog is leashed or not, they can sometimes pose a danger to people they don’t know. You can protect yourself from dogs while walking by dealing with an approaching dog, avoiding encounters with dogs, blocking an attack, and approaching a dog the right way.
(1)
Dealing with an Approaching Dog
(1)
Carry protection. Depending on where you are walking, choose a way to protect yourself. You may choose to carry a large stick, a dog whistle, dog deterrent spray, or a stun gun.
You can purchase commercial products that are proven to deter dog attacks.
Look for a whistle that irritates dogs. You can blow the whistle and most dogs will run away from you. A traditional whistle can also work by startling the dog.
In addition to the traditional stun gun, you can find stun batons that not only work on dogs but may frighten them away before you have to use it. The dog will see the baton and hear its electric charge, frightening it.
(2)
Avoid looking the dog in the eye. Don’t make eye contact because the dog could see it as a challenge.[4] Instead, watch the dog in your peripheral vision.
(3)
Keep your mouth closed. Baring teeth is a sign of aggression for dogs, so smiling or having your mouth open can signal to the dog that you are a threat. Instead, press your lips together to hide your teeth.
(4)
Shout firm commands to the dog. While commands might not work as well for stray dogs, yelling a firm, one-word command can get a dog to back off. Try commands such as “Stop”, “No,” and “Back”. Don’t use a friendly voice when speaking to the dog, and avoid screaming or shrieking
(5)
Spray water on the dog. Carry a spray bottle or a water bottle that has a nozzle. If you are approached by an aggressive dog, spraying it with water can get it to run off
(2)
Blocking an Attack
(1)
Avoid running away. If you run, the dog will instinctively try to catch you. It will see you as prey to chase down.[8] Instead, you want to make yourself seem like you aren’t a threat and aren’t prey.
(2)
Bring your knee up. Protect your torso and face by lifting your knee in front of your body. If the dog does bite or scratch, it won’t be able to reach your stomach, neck, or face
(3)
Cross your arms in front of your face. Larger breeds instinctively go for your face, so block them with your arms. Crossing your arms will put up a stronger barrier than just flailing your arms in front of your face.[10]
Further protect your head by tucking it under your arms. Lean your head forward and fold your crossed arms backward so that your head is covered.
(4)
Roll into a ball. Since dogs have prey instinct, curling into a ball can end the dog’s urge to attack.[11] While you may be afraid to lay on the ground, it’s the safest option during a dog attack. Just play dead.
Don’t move or try to scoot away. Just curl as tightly into a ball as you can.
Remove any items of clothing that may be around your neck since the dog may pull on it to play tug-of-war, which could strangle you.
Fight back only if the dog is small. Fighting back can make the dog fight harder, especially if it’s a larger breed that can overpower you
(5)
Ignore the dog. Don’t try to engage the dog at all while you’re on the ground. That means don’t look at the dog, don’t try to talk to it, and don’t try to sooth it by petting it. The dog is in attack mode, and engaging with it will only antagonize it more.
You can continue to shout commands if you’ve chosen to do so
(6)
Avoid pulling away if the dog bites you. The dog will only struggle to bite harder and hold on if you try to pull away.[14] Additionally, you can rip the skin more and make your wound worse
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