Bark or Bite? Follow These 6 Guidelines When Approaching a Strange Dog
Dog attacks can lead to serious, sometimes permanent, injuries. While the dog's owner is often held legally responsible for these incidents, knowing how to approach a strange dog can reduce your risk of being bitten.
Use the following six tips to protect yourself and anyone under your care when you encounter an unfamiliar dog, especially if the animal is not on a leash.
1. Never Touch a Dog Without Permission
When you see a dog with its owner or a dog that looks friendly, you may instinctively want to pet the animal. However, you should avoid touching a dog you don't know without explicit permission from an owner.
Dogs can become overwhelmed or frightened by sudden invasions of their personal space. When a dog is startled, the animal is more likely to become aggressive. If you do pet an unfamiliar dog, hold out your hand first and let the animal come to you rather than petting the dog from above.
2. Stay Where You Are
If an unfamiliar dog comes toward you, especially without an owner in sight, you may want to run or make loud noises to scare the animal away. But in this situation, it's best to remain as still and quiet as possible.
If you turn your back on the dog or begin running, the animal may see the action as an invitation to chase you. If you try to frighten the dog, you may make the animal think you're playing with it or that you're challenging it, either of which can lead to an attack.
3. Avoid Eye Contact
Many dog attacks occur because the animal sees the victim as an intruder on its territory. Because of this territorial instinct, it's important to avoid actions that could be seen as challenges by an unfamiliar dog.
Avoid looking the dog directly in the eye as this position can be perceived as a threat. Instead, look straight ahead as much as possible. Continue walking slowly in the direction you were going unless the dog actively blocks your path. Additionally, do not smile with your teeth showing since a grin looks like a growl to hostile dogs.
4. 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 you're 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.
5. Employ a Distraction or Deterrent
While dog attacks are scary, many strange dogs you encounter may simply be curious or friendly. If you find yourself close to an unfamiliar dog and you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, use a distraction or a deterrent to make the dog leave.
You may distract the dog by throwing a stick, toy, or food item. If you walk on a route with multiple frequently unleashed dogs, consider carrying these distractions with you.
If the dog is behaving aggressively and does not respond to verbal commands, consider throwing a rock or spraying water at the animal. You should only resort to these options if necessary to protect yourself since a sick or previously abused animal may react hostilely to deterrents.
6. Prevent the Dog From Jumping Up
When small dogs attack, they target the shins and calves. In most cases, you can fend off a smaller dog with kicking motions. Big dogs, on the other hand, may both greet and attack by standing on their back feet and focusing on your face and chest.
If the dog is big enough, it may knock you over as it jumps up. If you are knocked over by a dog, curl up and try to lay still. The dog should lose interest quickly.
To prevent the dog from jumping up, bring your knee up in front of your chest. Avoid holding your arms outstretched since this motion puts you at higher risk of hand and finger injuries. You may also be able to keep a dog from jumping up by placing a book bag, bike, or other personal object between yourself and the animal.
Follow these guidelines to provide yourself with as much protection from a potentially hostile dog as possible.
If you or someone in your immediate family has been injured in a dog attack, consult with the legal team at Clearfield & Associates, Attorneys at Law. You may have a dog bite personal injury claim if the dog had a history of aggressive behavior, was improperly trained, or should have been on a leash at the time of the attack.
Our team can assess the situation and your injuries to determine your next best legal step.