As someone who is always on foot walking through the neighbourhoods or in morning routine runs, you may come across an angry dog at some point. In such a situation, you should know how to react to avoid getting bitten.
Angry dogs can be scary, especially when they bark uncontrollably while showing their canines. This can put you in great danger not only because of potential physical injury but also the risk of getting infected with rabies. However, with the right approach, you can get out of the situation unscratched.
Dogs can become aggressive only when they feel threatened by your presence. So, when you come across one, remember that it’s not necessarily being aggressive out of spite. If you’re unsure of how to approach an angry dog, here are some tips that can help you get out of such a situation safely.
1. Remain calm
When confronted by an angry dog, the first thing you should do is to remain calm. Panicking will only escalate the situation and make the dog more agitated. Try to remain still and avoid sudden movements. This will signal to the dog that you are not a threat and may become uninterested in attacking you.
2. Do not run away
When an angry dog confronts you, the first thing you might think of doing is running away, but that would be a grave mistake. Dogs have the instinct to chase and catch prey, and running away can trigger this instinct. This can put you in a more dangerous situation since you can’t outrun a dog. Instead of running, stand still and try to remain calm. If the dog approaches you, don’t turn your back on it. Hold out your hand for it to sniff, making no sudden movements or loud noises. Try to back away slowly while monitoring the dog.
3. Avoid making direct eye contact
Do not make direct eye contact with the angry dog. They can perceive this as a threat and make them even more aggressive. Instead, keep your eyes on the dog’s body language and look away or lower your gaze if necessary. This might help to keep the dog calm.
4. Never try to pet or touch an angry dog
Another important thing to keep in mind when confronted by an angry dog is to never approach it or try to pet it. The dog will take it as a threat, making it aggressive.
5. Make yourself appear uninteresting
Try to make yourself appear as uninteresting to the angry dog as possible. This can be done by folding your arms across your chest, turning your body to the side, and avoiding sudden movements. Speak in a calm, low tone and try to back away slowly.
6. Last resort—defend yourself
If all the above options to get away from an angry dog don’t seem to work, you will have to defend yourself. One way to do this is to use an object to create distance between you and the dog. It can be anything from a purse, a chair, a backpack, or even a coat. This can help to distract the dog and give you time to get away safely.
Another way is to use your body language to assert dominance and show the dog that you’re in charge. Stand tall and avoid bending over, as this can make you appear weaker and more vulnerable. Try as much as possible not to fight back as it can further agitate the animal. However, you can use pepper spray if you have it at that moment and if the dog comes too close.
