Whenever faced with any danger, canine or otherwise, the first thing to do is remain calm and think clearly.

Diffuse the Situation

If you are in an open space, you can try to stand your ground and gaze at the dog somewhere along his body. Don’t gaze directly into it’s eyes, but let the dog know that you are not scared. There is a good chance the dog will back down and give you your space as you assert your dominance. If you are in an enclosed space, do not rush to get closer to the animal, and don’t run away either. Turn your body sideways to reduce your profile and look at his body before walking away.

In both cases, you are asserting your dominance and letting the dog know that you are standing your ground without being a threat. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t, but it should be the first thing that you do. Most attacks occur after the dog provides ample warning through barking or growling, and using this phase to your advantage can help to avoid problems from escalating.

Use a Stick or Other Object

You can also use a stick, cane, umbrella or any other object that you can put in front of you to enlarge your personal space. You will appear as a bigger threat to the dog, and this may be enough to scare it off or cause it to back down. If the dog lurches at you in attack mode, you can slap the stick on the ground, swat at the dog or hit it if necessary.

If an Attack is Imminent

This is where you will want to wrap your arm in your sleeve or jacket or simply try to get your arm out of the sleeve. This allows you room to move and while distracting the dog it gives you the chance to gain control over the situation.

To learn more about how to fend off a dog visit our friends over at Survival Kit