Even for the avid dog lover, it can be a frightening situation if they turn aggressive. Fortunately, this is rare, but it does happen enough to warrant further consideration.
When faced with an aggressive dog, your reaction might be to shout or run as quickly as you can in the other direction. Both of these steps are not advisable at all as dogs can pick up on your anxiety. They also have inherent instincts to chase and protect themselves when backed into a corner.
There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from an aggressive dog, though. Outlined below are a few things to remember.
Calm but assertive
While you want to avoid shouting at a dog, some form of communication might help the situation. The best way of getting a god to pay attention to you is to remain calm and assertive. Think carefully about whether or not you have done something to upset the canine. For instance, maybe you are doing something close to the dog, such as playing a loud game or music on your cell phone. This could be enough to trigger the dog or startle it, and ceasing what you’re doing might remedy the situation.
Think about your posture
It’s surprising how subtle postures can impact a dog’s behavior. Generally, dogs will only attack when they feel there is no other option. If you’re leaning over them and making direct contact, they could feel threatened. Try to avoid extended eye contact or crowding the dog.
Avoid sudden movements
The majority of dogs have a built-in instinct to chase. While you may feel like running away from the situation, this is only going to make matters worse. The dog may have just been making noise with no intention of attacking you. Running away from them means that their instincts to chase will kick in.
Dealing with a dog attack can be scary and there is always a chance you might get injured. If this happens, then you might be able to hold the owner to account. Getting some legal guidance will give you a clearer idea of your options.