What Would You Do if You Were Attacked by a Dog?

Ok i am a dog trainer who deals with dangerous dogs on a daily basis I carry / use pet deterrent spray ( similar to pepper spray great for your better halfs safety) and a stainless steel slip collar and a ( large knife last defence) which is in my vehicle until I need it. I have been asked many times what to do if if a dog fight breaks out at the doggie park or what if I Am personally are attacked. I would really appreciate your feedback what you think you would do in both situations. This is going to be used in our next seminar. No jokes please.

Thankyou for all your responses keep them coming I will answer them as I am able.

Footnote:

Both my wife and I are positive dog trainers we are working to provide education to the general public on how to deal with dog attacks both in the doggie park and on the street. We believe that dogs should not cause harm to people yet this happens time and time again.

Thank you OZ folks I now realise that so many people do not know how to deal with a dog attack.

Please read the following and understand that it is all about your reactions not the dogs. Hope this info keeps you and your family safe.

http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/jennifer-merritt/safe-prog…

http://doggonesafe.com/why_dogs_bite

Comments

  • +101

    Ok i am a dog trainer who deals with dangerous dogs on a daily basis…

    I'm sorry, you want our advice???

    • +17

      I don't think he wants our advice, I think he wants a sample of responses from average people for his/her seminar?

      • +9

        I smell bullshit here…particularly with that knife comment. A pro would already know what the average person might do.

        • +2

          Read the original post I am asking for what the general public would do. I know what to do and about the knife I carry and know how to use it, I am one ex something group. Now re trained as a dog trainer trying to do good work. Rehashed the original post to show the knife is in my car. Hey trust me as they say I know what I am talking about

        • oh send me a PM and I will send you photos of my qualifications.

      • +10

        I think he wants a sample of responses from average people for his/her seminar?

        People on OzBargain are professional.

        • +1

          Professional shoppers according to Gerry.

        • @BargainKen: more like professional eneloop hoarders

      • If I can buy pet repellent and it has impact as pepper spray I would take it to the park if I was walking my dog …… Need to carry a doggy bag anyway so can of spray isn't an inconvenience.

    • No sorry I know what to we are asking what you folks would do in that type of situation.

    • Yes I am asking what you personally would do.

    • read my post.

  • +38

    No jokes please.

    You're no fun.

    • +9
    • -2

      I know I am boring but hey this helps…

      • +1

        Bite back!

        (so this isn't an acceptable response?)

        • +1

          Nice puns.

          I think that deserves a round of appaws

  • +9

    You carry a large knife?

    That "doggies park" sounds like a dangerous place…….

    • +20

      True, the doggie park is a lot more dangerous than the missionary park…

      • Hahaha…. true blue aussie we got ere

    • Dog parks can be very dangerous esp if you are new to the park.

      • -1

        That sounds very paranoidy.. Do you jump at car horns?

  • +17

    I carry … a large knife

    Pretty sure it is against the law to be carrying a large knife on your person in public … even if you claim you are a professional dog trainer and need it in cases of emergency - such as breaking up dog fights in doggie parks or for personal protection against dog which may attack you ….just sayin'…

    • +2

      It is legal to carry a knife if you have a legitimate reason to do so.
      If I was a trainer of potentially dangerous dogs, I would consider that a legitimate reason to carry a knife, although I note there is a specific exclusion related to self defense.
      The relevant law in NSW is: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/soa1988189…

      • +22

        "If I was a trainer of potentially dangerous dogs, I would consider that a legitimate reason to carry a knife"

        I think you are confusing the right to train potentially dangerous dogs within the confines of your own property/facility (with a large knife on hand), with the 'right' to attempt to 'train' potentially dangerous dogs out in public, while carrying a large knife with you in case of disaster.

        Of course the former scenario is entirely reasonable. The latter, I would suggest, is illegal on multiple levels.

        • -8

          That's insane. I would hope that one would have the liberty to carry a large knife to protect from dog attacks if they desired to do so. Doesn't really pose a risk to any other individuals.

        • +13

          @btst7000:

          "That's insane."

          Not only is it not insane at all, it's the law here in Australia.

          The problem with your position on the matter is, it would allow every opportunistic/violent thug who wanted to to walk around in public with large concealed weapons—because all they'd have to say if they were 'caught' is that they were doing so in case they were attacked by a dog.Where do you draw the line, incidentally? Do you believe that people should be able to carry guns around, as they are in some states in the US, for similar reasons?

        • +3

          @GnarlyKnuckles:

          The only insanity around here is thinking that the knife laws are preventing thugs from carrying knives en masse.

        • +2

          @jacross:

          "The only insanity around here is … (etc.)"

          Oh trust me JC, there's plenty more insanity kicking around here than that.

          But back to the matter at hand…

          At least with the laws about concealed weapons in place, it means that when perps are busted for anything (including when their cars are impounded etc.) and they are found to have such weapons on them, that can be added to the list of charges. Also, if CCTV glimpses them in possession of such weapons, the cops are then 'allowed' to move in and use justified force to detain them.

          I guess what I'm trying to say is that of course such laws will never eliminate the problem, but having those laws in place can be useful, in various circumstances.

        • +2

          @GnarlyKnuckles:

          I absolutely agree that those laws allow people to be charged in circumstances where they are caught. If that is your sole claim I have no issue with your post.

          For anyone (maybe this isn't you) who thinks these laws prevent people who want to carry a knife for nefarious purposes from doing so, you are delusional and the effects at the margin are probably much less than you think. Consider that the kind of person (and if you haven't seen this kind of person in action then I'm jelly of you) who potentially wants to get up to mischief with a knife, has less regard than you for certain laws.

          Do the laws have a reduction effect at the margin? I would assume so. That just doesn't matter regarding the initial point. Dog trainer carries a knife potentially illegally. He's not going to hurt someone with it. Meanwhile, I know people who are too rekt in the head to even know what laws are let alone do a calculation on the consequences of what is in their pocket (and it's in there).

          As for the US and concealed or open carry laws, I know which areas I'm more scared of going to and it's not New Hampshire.

        • -1

          @jacross: By your argument, the sort of person who is really, seriously determined to commit murder is going to do it anyway, laws or not. Therefore we shouldn't have laws against murder, surely?

        • +1

          @hayne:

          No that's a false equivalence.

          One law seeks to punish an immoral act. The other law seeks to have a correlative reduction effect on an immoral act. Thus the basis for judging the 'effectiveness or righteousness' of each law is different.

          We have determined that murder is inherently an immoral thing. That is why there is a law against murder. The policy justification is that we want to punish murder. The hope is that this will disincentivise murders however as the act is inherently immoral the underlying rationale doesn't rest on its effectiveness in disincentivising murder.

          We have not determined that carrying a knife is an inherently immoral thing. That is not the policy justification for that law. The policy justification is that a knife law reduces or makes punishable the act of carrying a knife (subject to caveats), in the hope that it will reduce the incidences of a subsequent action we find inherently immoral (stabbings, murders, assaults etc etc). As the act of carrying a knife itself is not inherently immoral, the rationale for the law rests on its associated correlative effect on the subsequent inherently immoral acts.

          Also, your argument seems to stem from a notion that I have argued the knife law shouldn't exist. I never actually said we shouldn't have the knife law. I stated that its effects at the margin were highly diminished regarding its intended target. Do I believe we should have a knife law? Yes. Do I think I would support a relaxing of the rules? Probably. If it made sense to me. I haven't done much research or rigorous thinking on that idea.

      • +3

        although I note there is a specific exclusion related to self defense.

        Ergo OP's use is unlawful.

      • +1

        Thanks actually I try to use clicker training and treats for most of my work.

        • I'd certainly hope so.

  • I'm genuinely a bit scared of big dogs. I'd basically freak the hell out if I was attacked and lay motionless hoping the dog will get bored and move on. That'll probably be the end of me.

    I still have the noob instinct of running away when I'm confronted by a strange dog without a collar in the streets. Was chased by one after that… fortunately it was just as confused as me and left me alone before long.

    • lie motionless, I mean.

      • +6

        Hat off to you, it's not often you come across somebody who knows the difference between the verbs lie and lay.

        • Only learned that I'd been making that mistake in the last few years, hence why I sometimes still automatically write the wrong word :)

        • @blue-dinosaur: You could plausibly claim that you meant lay as the past tense of lie. :)

        • +8

          @greenpossum: But then I'd be lying.

          Bad pun intended.

    • +16

      And that's why you're extinct.

      • Everyone knows dinosaurs turned into plastic. I have some in my room.

        • +1

          They turned into chickens, delicious chickens.

        • +1

          @macrocephalic:
          They turned into fossils…
          …fossils…fossils….fossil fuel….fuel…. OMG my car runs on the ghosts of old dinosaurs!

        • @Kangal: haha that made me chuckle

        • +2

          @Kangal: Not really. Have you heard of the carboniferous period? During this period in history (200+ million years ago) plants evolved to be hardier (bark, lignin, and suberin) and for a long time bacteria didn't produce the enzymes to break down the wood - so it largely piled up into thick layers which were eventually covered in water and earth, and turned into coal and oils.

          Sure there would be some fauna in there as well, but it would be an insignificantly small amount.

  • +6

    Okay I found the answer from our favourite Kiwi martial arts master.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjs9a7_iQZs

    • +1

      OMG pissed myself at that video! Who is he?

    • No No he is so wrong that is not going to happen if a dog goes from defensive to offensive you have several problems the dog is going to attack he going to be faster than the average human. Yes he is going to bite so do not fight back off and retreat.

  • +13

    I carry pet deterrent spray ( similar to pepper spray great for your better half)

    You have to deter your better half? Oops, sorry that was a joke.

  • Seriously? Run/hold ground/protect exposed body parts if possible like arms or legs with bag objects.

    If dog keeps attacking you just keep trying to make it difficult for him by either making a lot of movement or playing like a tag you're it kind of game with him or her until it gives up basically keep dodging or blocking

    Worse comes to worse direct uppercut or down cut to their face out jar to send him a message and stand your ground

    The main thing is to try not to panic and put yourself into another dangerous situation like reading out and slipping onto hard concrete or smashing your glasses

    So i guess my takeaway for you fit this lesson is

    1) try to run our stand your ground

    2) dodge attacks and protect exposed body parts with items or bags etc

    3) if scare tactics or yelling doesn't work and you can't run away or out chase it..fight

    4) either use nearby objects or kick to the body or the head or a good well timed upper cut or down cut / haymaker etc will do the trick

    Personally i just keep on running haha lol don't want no angry crazy dog

    Birds are harder they attack from no where

    Have lost many a glasses to random bird attacks both from up above and ground level direct to the face

    Can't imagine what our ancestors must have gone through fighting and dodging dinosaurs

    • +12

      Can't imagine what our ancestors must have gone through fighting and dodging dinosaurs

      Dinosaurs and humans were never contemporary.

      • +1

        Okay then lions and south Africans

      • +6

        Dinosaurs and humans were never contemporary.

        Jeff Goldblum & Sam Neil beg to differ…

      • +2

        Not on The Flintstones.

      • Humans and wooly mammoth were. Kinda counts.

        • Hey no making fun of my obese relis. :)

        • +1

          If crocodiles and birds don't count as dinosaurs, then I don't think mammoths count either.

    • "Can't imagine what our ancestors must have gone through fighting and dodging dinosaurs"
      The next Trump employee.

    • +3

      Let me preface this by stating that I love most animals, but I value my and other humans' well-being above that of other animals, especially vicious dogs owned by often neglectful, feral and/or downright thuggish owners.

      If the dog seemed dangerous, I'd firstly try to get to shelter safely.

      If that wasn't practical, I'd charge the dog while howling and looking menacing, trying to establish dominance. (Works well on the untrained mutt at the bottom of my street that runs out onto the road to attack my bike.)

      Failing that, I'd attack the dog with extreme prejudice. Kicking or striking/stabbing with any available improvised weapon of opportunity.

      If the dog locked on to me with its jaws, I'd gouge its eyes, finger-hook its anus, rip at its tail or genitals, and punch/elbow/knee it in the abdomen.

      Thankfully, I've never had to execute the last two lines and probably never will.

      • +3

        finger-hook its anus

        I'm trying very hard to imagine how practical that is while thrashing around with a dog on top of you. I can only come up with eeewww gross…

      • +2

        Thank you for taking time to respond with your feedback Some good advice and unfortunately many animal control officers not only face a vicious dog but owner as well.

      • +11

        finger hook its anus

        Ah yes the old hopoate

    • +1

      Thanks for your input good points but….

      1) try to run our stand your ground… Nope don't run yes stand your ground and back away slowly

      2) dodge attacks and protect exposed body parts with items or bags etc…. Your arms are your best bet if the dog does attack better your forearm than hand or body.

      3) if scare tactics or yelling doesn't work and you can't run away or out chase it..fight… Absolute last resort

      4) either use nearby objects or kick to the body or the head or a good well timed upper cut or down cut / haymaker etc will do the trick…. unless you have done this before it will not happen in a real life scenario.

      Personally i just keep on running haha lol don't want no angry crazy dog… As fast as you can…

    • HAHA dinosaurs. Sums up the whole post.

      • yeah thats weird…

  • I would quickly lie down on the ground and act like dog shit

    • +1

      "I would quickly lie down on the ground and act like dog shit"

      I fear that with some dogs, that is what you would ultimately become, by utilising this tactic…

      Seriously, if a dog is attacking you, don't lie down, and don't remain quiet: do the opposite. Try and move to a safer place/somewhere where there's people/help, and make as much noise as you can, as loudly as you can. Dogs are very responsive to loud noises (it causes them to reassess what they are doing), and so are people.

  • +5

    Snap the dog's neck.

    • I would snap it in half…..

    • -1

      Same, our game plan is pretty graphic but agreed - if another dog attacks our dog (proper attack and won't let go), we've agree to jump in a snap it's legs to disable it. I sincerely hope this never actually happens.

      • +2

        You genuinely think you could grab and hold the leg of a furious dog long enough to break it? I'm sorry, but this is as stunningly stupid as it is barbaric (I mean it's only theoretically barbaric as your chances of actually executing this are non-existant).

        On the off chance the writhing dog doesn't manage to evade your clumsy attempts to grab its leg (it will) its next step will be to tear you to shreds faster than you can fathom. There's a chance it'll let go of your dog to savage you though, so I guess it depends whether you place more value on your pet or your soon to be destroyed arms.

        • Good luck with that one…lol

  • +1

    Bikies. Where's that option?

    • "Where's that option?"

      On the horizon, Poss… though they could probably clean up the fallout with a practiced hand…

  • +1

    As you would if a human attacked you; go for the eyes/throat/genitals of the dog attacking me (if possible).

    Protect my viral organs as much as possible.

    If a dog fight between dogs breaks out… I. Would do nothing. Let them sort it out (I've never owned a pet, let alone a dog).

    • +2

      genitals

      Kinky..

      Starts as self defence

      Ends up on the news

      But in all seriousnessness who in their right mind would go for their genitals i mean it is gross.. Unless you meant kicking it..when in that case i have said too much.. too much

    • +1

      Protect my viral organs as much as possible.

      Dogs don't go for vital organs. They're inside the body.

      • +12

        He said viral organs, presumably referring to his genitals. :X

        • So many people have seen his organs that they've gone viral?

    • Realistically you'd have to let the dog latch on to your forearm. If you can still think straight with all that pain, then gouge eyes/throat/genitals.

  • +2

    Small to medium size dogs (<35kg) that attacks tends to go for the legs. I line them up and kick them. One can also grab them by the collar with the knuckles on the inside, twist it and get on top until they stop trying to bite. Adrenaline will kick in which will make it easier to lift them up by the collar.

    Larger dogs are more difficult to subdue because of their height, weight and bigger teeth. Some people try and run. Can't really do that with an animal that can run two or three time your speed. I were once in a cage with a wild caught wolf. These are massive. The keeper said never try to run. They will see you as pray and kill you. Stand your ground and what ever happens don't get down on the ground.

    • For large dogs you would need to use your weight as advantage by trying to turn the dog on its back with a wrestling move and they will let go or if it's a life and death situation you would try force your fist down a dog throat they will usually die from suffocation by a minute, but gouging eyes, kicking or punching throat usually stuns them and it is pretty effective.
      Running away from a dog usually activates their prey instincts which is chase and catch.

  • +12

    I recently wrestled a large bull Arab to the ground that was in the process of trying to tear out my Kelpie's chest. The owner stood and did nothing so I jumped on the bull Arabs back and ripped it sidewards on holding the collar. It was all about speed and power, I learnt some similar moves in Krav Maga for wrestling humans on the floor
    I finished by laying on it ( I'm a semi-musclely 120 kg 6'4 dude) and immobilising it's front legwith elbow jammed in its neck. It was quite exciting but not something I would have thought up. I just couldn't watch my fur-buddy get ripped apart.
    They got upset I had touched their dog and began the four dog defence monologues.

    Anyway…

    My dog recovered after a few trips to the vet and some medical intervention.
    The bull Arab after terrorising the neighbourhood has avoided the pink needle of death and now lives happily as a pig dog with some redneck some place else.
    ….And the neighbour, well I'm sure they'll get some new dumb arse dog and not give a dam

    • +7

      I'm a semi-musclely 120 kg 6'4 dude

      dwayne, is that you?

      • Bro you calling The Rock 'semi' muscly? How dare you!

    • +13

      Luckily I Googled "bull Arab" and realised it was a dog breed. Thought you were in southwest Sydney…

      • +2

        hahaha, I thought it was an actual bull he tried wrestling to the ground with and I was thinking, wow that's impressive!

      • +1
        I thought he was talking about at least one of my cousins
        
    • +1

      should have given the owner the same treatment ay :)

    • Hopefully you attacked the owner afterwards.

  • +3

    I like to confuse attacking dogs.

    I put my hands by my sides, stand still, and stare the dog down.

    • +2

      "… stand still, and stare the dog down."

      Crocodile Dundee, is that you?

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