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

    • A knife is necessary if you need to cut a leash / collar or anything else. Not saying it's perfect but it is a really safe backup. I have used it a few times to do this.

  • Honestly, I have no idea. It's a bit like a real world fight - 99/100 you probably aren't carrying anything that could be used as a 'weapon'. So I assume this is something you would intentionally be carrying when walking a dog? Is it legal for me to be walking around with a MagLight and smashing seven shades out of a dog? Questionable. Can I legally carry pepperspray - nope. No idea. What are you supposed to do aside from potentially getting yourself maimed or potentially killed by breaking up a dogfight? Then there's the old problem of if you are carrying a weapon, who says you aren't going to provoke the situation more or injure yourself or another person?

  • -1

    Considering is highly likely to be illegal to drive around with a knife in your vehicle for purpose of maiming
    My advice would be lose the knife?

    As far as dog fights itching powder, pepper based powder(capsicum, cajun paprika etc), sneezing powder all would seem effective at distracting dog fights?

  • Spread the feet and crouch down a bit. Open the arms wide, curl the fingers into claws and growl showing teeth. When the dog lunges step aside and punch to the head then head lock. At that moment you can decide on the dogs fate. Dogs only have one method of attacking, their teeth. You have 2 hands use them. I've only had to use this a couple of times in my life and once the dog backed down when he could see I was up for it. Always be wary of big dogs you don't know. Always know where they are and have a plan in your mind.

  • I would quickly assess the situation and decide either :
    1) Flight: Run if I can realistically out run it to get to a safe place.
    2) Fight: Hit it in the head/nose/eyes.

    • Thanks for the reply good choice but that will only make the dog more aggressive. Maybe if this is your last chance but recommend doing the be a tree. Stop moving and be relaxed ( I know this is hard to think of but works). Only fight back if it your last chance which I really would not recommend.

  • Nose & eyes are where I will land punches/chop/poke. Don't get me wrong, I like animal but when they are trying to be nasty … that is different story. I witness a dog attacked another dog … it wasnt a pretty scene to see

    • Too near the mouth. If you can get to the belly or genitals you're much better off landing a good kick there.

    • Thanks for your input. Yes but are you going to be quick enough to carry out this? No Dog fight is going to be a pretty scene to see. Walk away leave it that is your best choice.

  • +2

    Well I was mauled by a dog last Christmas - 20 wounds but fortunate that nothing serious or deep wound. It was unprovoked attack and I had to fight back - I couldn't stop the first bite but immediately took the dog under my weight to stop his body movements.

    Rest bites were on hands and arms but I managed to shut his mouth with bare hand before someone jumped in to help. One thing I can tell you is that I found the dog to be awfully strong - stronger than I could handle.

    PS: Happened overseas - got treated with rabies and immunoglobulins; honestly dog bite was easier than the immunoglobulin injections :-(

    PS2: Some people have mentioned a strategy - from my experience, I didn't have enough time to think of anything as it was out of blue attack and I was in shock to think of anything. I was in survival mode and just tried to stop the dog from biting instead of going on offense and putting the dog under my wright came naturally - had no strategy what so ever nor had the time to think.

    If you are interested - some of the shots of the aftermath - going towards the ER:

    http://imgur.com/a/ouJsc (NSFW for obvious reasons)

    • +1

      Thank you so much for the post. Travelling overseas has it's own problems.

    • Thanks for the story. People don't realise how different being in these situations is to imagining these situations. I get annoyed when there's a mass shooting and all the internet people start going on about how they would have saved the day if they were there. When your wife and children are being shot at you don't have time for strategy.

    • Just wanted to say I went through something similar when I was a bit younger and travelling overseas to Malaysia. In all honesty I kept running when it bit me (on the backside… as I was running) and was in quite a bit of shock (since it was a large dog chasing me). The bite itself didn't really hurt but like you pointed out, all the needles/injections/fear of something worse happening later on was what hit me.

  • +1

    Instinctual Animal/ Human behavior 101 = Fight or flight.

    In my dog encounters, when I had time and it was approaching slowly and barking/ showing aggression. I would talk calmly with the usual, it's ok, good boy, home" etc.

    When I have been caught totally off guard my first instinct was to face it and yell at it super loud (luckily I've got a fair set of pipes) and squirt it with my water bottle. Even without the water the dog has stopped in my experience, and luckily the owners nearby and come get it.

    My old man clouted a Shephard that was attacking our dog once with a club lock, pretty extreme, but it stopped immediately. No damage to the dog, but I recon it would have had a sore scone. Owner wasn't happy. We agreed and felt that the owner was probably the one who required the clout and was happy to volunteer a swing.

    In terms of flight, no matter what species it is, human, shark, dog… you run and your in trouble.

    I have been bitten twice, both times totaly un-aware from behind, both times a Rotty and literally in my behind. Both weren't savage bites barely leaving marks (So I would say 'test bites'). Both those times I remained calm and faced the dog and just said 'no' paused, then backed away.

    • Yep that is it all about fight or flight keep clam give the dog space and slowly walk away. These test bites are called mouthing the dog is telling you I want to bite you but will not because it is restraining from doing so. A dog doing this is on the stressor slide and will bite hard if you do not leave it alone.

  • Not sure if this is mentioned but I would:

    -walk back
    -yell sit or no at the dog
    -kick the dog in the face

    My previous dog was attacked by a Rottweiler, what I did was:

    -kick and punched the dog but it wouldn't let go of my dog
    -picked it up by the neck(this stopped the dog from attacking)

  • Hope it never happens but I would probably either try stomp on it, kick It in the guts or if I cant I will rip it's eyeball out

  • +4

    Shit my pants & cry.

    • interesting remake of "The One"..

  • No joke, if i get seriously attacked by a dog i'd have it terminated by the cops using a bullet or by a vet.

  • Ok, serious answer.
    Since you plan on giving seminars and advice to people, I would STRONGLY suggest you go to your local police station and ask what can and can't be carried, and what can and can't be done.

    You CANNOT carry a knife for self defence (either on your person or in your car). Protecting your property (your dog is your property according to the law, nothing more), is NOT a reasonable excuse. You don't use the knife for training (ie to train your dogs, you don't stab them), so again… I haven't heard a reasonable excuse yet.

    Carrying a stick (argument could be made that you picked it up as you were attacked) regardless of when you actually did, would be enough of a defence, and a stick is not a weapon until it's used as one. So, IF you were to carry a stick while walking, that would be acceptable. It's non-threatening (unlike a knife in a public place), and it can be very effective in defending yourself or your dog in case of attack.

    The next thing you need to remember is necessary and reasonable force. If you stab a dog, you not only have to explain why you have the knife in the first place (huge hurdle), but why you thought it necessary to kill it. A stick striking a dog may or may not hurt it, but it can be said that you swung in panic in defence, not to kill. Plus, a dog wounded will normally (but not always) retreat.

    The idea however is to try and prevent physical contact at all.
    Things to remember:
    1) Eye Contact. Don't do it.
    2) Teeth. Don't show them.
    3) Running. Don't do it.

    No sudden moves. Back away, facing the dog, slowly. Don't growl and show teeth. Look at its feet or just in front, not at its eyes. Protect your limbs, face, neck, and head. Clench your fists to protect your fingers, and put them together like you are trying to pray, fingers in, thumbs together. Raise your arms in front of you with your elbows in front of you and close to your body. The hands should be covering a clear view to your mouth. If you have to shout to call for help or make noise, you can do so without showing the dog a wide open mouth with teeth. Keep a wide stance, on leg in front of the other (like you would imagine a boxer to stand). If the dog jumps up, you don't want to be knocked down. Realise that the dog will see your front leg as the ideal target if it does attack. Good. As you step back, don't cross feet, half steps back keeping same leg in front. If it goes for leg, take a guess what the first defence option is? That's right, a hard as hell kick… aiming for ribs between the front and rear legs. Think… where would you rather be punched… it the guts where you have muscle to absorb, or in the ribs/solar plexus where it's going to really hurt/wind you/break something. One hard kick, then step back… keep moving slowly backwards. Keep your wits about you, look around for obstacles or even other dogs who decide to attack as a pack. Any cars nearby? a bench seat? Anywhere where height can be used as an advantage.

    Finally, don't turn your back on the dog. Keep facing it, but keep backing away. Eventually you'll come across something or someone that can help you. DOn't panic, and keep your wits. Dogs are smart- no question, but you are smarter. Look for items that can help you, a rubbish bin, sticks, rocks… WATER! A lake or pond, backing into it slowly to keep your footing is a good defence. I'd rather be wet and embarrassed than at emergency getting stitches or skin grafts.

    If with your dog, things become much more complex. Typically the target will be your dog, not you. Lifting it in the air to protect it puts you at a lot of risk. You need to remember that the attacking dog only has one weapon… it's mouth. Unlike your leg as the target in my earlier example, your dog is the target. Sad but true… but to the same result. Attacking dog strikes, WHAM…. you kick, same as before. Try and stand between them prior to attack, but if your dog is attacked proper, best to be on a side position and kick away. You don't want to be behind your dog, because then the attacker is 'protected' by its prey so to speak. If possible, unleash your dog. Your dog tries to run, let it run! You pulling on a lead only puts your arm outstretched, and stops your dog from trying to save itself. That way you also have the lead to use. Buckles on leads when swung onto a dogs head is a great way to at least make it unlatch from whatever its biting. Treat it like a whip… that buckle is going to hurt if hit repeatedly.

    Use your voice, shout for help. Passers by or those living nearby may be able to help you.

    Hope this helps someone.

    • +1

      Carrying a knife is a terrible move. The legal matter is significant but the practical matter of it is you have to let the dog within a very close distance to use the knife - close enough to bite and claw you, close enough to knock you over and go for your throat. A stick or bat of any kind can be used at range. The only way to get that kind of range out of a blade is to carry a machete or sword of some kind. Good luck explaining to the magistrate why a dog trainer needs Excalibur in the back of his car.

    • -2

      Thanks for replying to the post and good advice I will post what you should do in a few days. ( Hey the large knife was a joke but few got it… kind of a backlash due to my military service but I would not use a knife against a dog) there are many more ways to deal with them. But then again I Am also a member of a medieval reenactment group allows us to carry daggers, swords etc… as long as they are in your car on the way to an event.

      • Are you surprised that you received backlash? It certainly didn't sound like you were joking. It's not funny to carry a large knife around, so I don't see why you should make that joke to begin with. Also, we have no clue who the hell you are so your military service is unknown to us.

  • +2

    I would do if possible: take off my cloths, wrap it around my left arm. Let the dog bite your arm. And choke the dog to death!!!

    • +1

      Sure thing, just slow down time before you start ok? You'd need to stretch eek out about 10s for prep time.

  • +1

    A few things I have done when walking my dog

    I always wear good sensible closed in shoes just in case I need to "fend" a dog off :-)

    Always have my dog on a Martingale collar and leash and have a spare choker chain just in case some idiot has there aggressive dog off leash, so at least they can control it, again it could be used in an emergency to defend myself from dogs or humans

    I usually have a hiking stick with me very handy for "fending off" dogs and humans

    We were once stalked by a German Shepherd I shouted "NO" to it and it worked, dunno if its a good response or just luck

    I keep very alert when walking my dog, she doesnt like other dogs so keep my distance from others
    I should add shes not aggressive towards other dogs unless they try to sniff her bum or whatever so dont have a problem with it personally

    • That's actually given me a good idea. Those old school metal choker collars (one I'd never use on my dogs), could actually very easily be carried around in the pocket. The fact they open up easily to a straight length of chain, but are still a reasonable 'training aid' for the dogs (in the case you are walking a dog at the time), is a great idea.

      The hiking stick is also a good idea. A proper hiking stick fit for purpose when walking through a reserve or dirt trail is a very reasonable excuse. Retractable/telescopic for easier carrying would be handy as well. "Yes officer, I carry the stick in a carrier but I only use it on uneven terrain… especially since I sometimes walk the dog at dusk and in poor light conditions".

      Combining the two into a flail of sorts (when needed, not permanently attached!), and I believe you'd have sufficient protection from pretty much any dog. And carrying those items are perfectly reasonable when walking your dog.

  • I've always got the advice from Richard's Bicycle Book in the back of my mind (Google it). It's only "last resort" actions as it would ultimately mean the death of the dog and I've never needed to use it. Thankfully I've not been scared of any dogs that have behaved aggressively towards me (possibly because I'm aware of the "last resort" options) and if they've been off the lead then a loud "GO HOME!" (or anything really) has always been enough to make them stop. The one exception was an irritating but evil little yappy thing which bared its teeth and tried to bite me. I didn't kick it per se, but it was assisted along an upwards trajectory by my boot. It wasn't harmed, but it certainly was better behaved afterwards.

    • -1

      I have done the same a dog attacked me on my bike out came the pump and was hit on the nose.

  • honestly? if attacked and bitten by a dog, i'll cry, piss in my pants, and cry some more

  • +2

    I'd jam me thumb in its butthole.

    • Seriously whats with this go to jamming up fingers or objects up orifices technique?

      • Yeah sadly that's the net for you, don't try it.

      • +1

        I blame South Park.

  • Jump on the dog with a lot of force and grab it by the scruff of the neck and pin it down, agressively telling it NO in a growling tone. Use animal instincts back on it like its mother would have done.

  • Reading the comments here I'm thankful I'm not a dog bark bark

  • When faced with such issues i always think back and do what our ancestors the apes would do.

    In this case, use your free hand to catch what is already coming out and proceed to fling it in the dogs direction. If there is enough left over, the final act is to cover myself with it in the hopes that nothing will want to come near me.

    I would use this tactic under impending death in any scenario, luckily i have not had to do it yet.

  • I was chased by a dog once on a random street. All I did was jump over the closest available fence.

  • I walk a lot and somehow have never been bitten. Generally, I have turned to face them while backing away. Raise arms in the air to look bigger. And I say firmly, but not aggressively, "Okay, alright, I'm going, I'm going…" But I've never faced a group of big rotties or dobermans. Have to jump up on a car or something.

    When we had greyhounds, they hated when you blew in their ears, but that just gets them to ungrip their jaws. Nothing to stop them biting again. Also, a police tactic is to turn their lowest leg joint above their paws outwards to break the joint.

    If you are very strong, you could throw it back-first onto a fence or the street gutter edge. Your big advantage is height, so you should never let yourself hit the ground.

    • Thanks for your input.

  • No offense but you kind of sound like a scary dude to be around. Like crocodike dundee but paranoid

    • -1

      Actually i am a member of animals asia, animals australia, voiceless (founding member) and a whole heap of animal groups. But yes a paranoid prepper. lol.

      • All good. There are always worse things. I ised to be a doomsday prepper until i realised it was killing me haha lol ironically and doing the oppsite of what i wanted

  • Attack by a dog is pretty vague, as you didnt specify, the size, breed ect. Like German Shepard, Rottweiler,Dobermans around 40-50kg those dog has enough bite force to snap off your arms,not much you can do against those big dogs if you don't have a weapon.
    Standing your ground and showing that you are not afraid would be the best thing to do as dogs know that when you run you are scared and defenseless. If they do attack and get a hold on you, get something sharp like keys, stick or even your fingers and gouge the dogs eyes, most dogs will let go unless it is a lockjaw like a pitbull.

    • -1

      Good response thank you.Trust me a small terrier can rip you apart just the same as one of those bigger dogs can. I have asked a generic question to get a gage of what you folks would do. I could have asked much more what would your kids do what would your wife do etc…It is all about the trigger slide which I will post in the OP shortly.

  • -1

    Hi,
    I haven't read every comment on here. I'll answer your question if you answer mine please.

    1. What would you do?
    2. Why is the knife in the car? What would you use it for. It wouldn't help you if you were attacked.
    3. What's the recommended course of action?

    What would I do if a dog attacked me?
    a. Probably see the signs before it happened and try to prevent it from escalating to a full on attack.
    b. If it did happen I'd give the dog my arm, take it down and get it in a rear naked choke. That's for larger dogs. Smaller dogs I would give them the boot. Their fierceness would match the amount of power in my kick.

    What would I do if there was a dog fight?
    a. Most likely nothing. You need two knowledgeable people to break up a dog fight correctly without getting bit yourself.
    b. Try a deterrent. Water, loud noise, hit the dogs with a stick. Anything I could use in the environment.

    • -1

      Well the knife was kind of a joke I have been in the ADF and as you can see by my responses it brought out the larrikin in me. Your advice is good thank you for what you think is best. I will post what I recommend you should do when the thread is as they say gone cold.

  • +1

    I haven't read every individual post so maybe someone has mentioned this before

    I see many ppl recommending attacking the dog directly etc. I'm wondering how good is the average older person at this, like I'm 60 not that fast anymore and certainly not 6 ft tall.

    Is everyone forgetting that a decent sized dog like a rottie or German Shepherd is faster than a person has a tremendous bite pressure all these heroes that think they can get a fist down a dogs throat without having their wrist snapped are kidding them selves.

    The military teaches combat soldiers to attempt pulling the dogs front legs wide apart as that can do something to either their respiratory system or heart, can't remember which or IF you can get BOTH hands into their mouth without losing fingers, getting hands broken , pull their jaws apart breaking them which may kill the dog.

    In all these scenarios you'd have to be Bruce Lee type fast of have a huge tolerance to pain

    When I was 10 I was chased and mauled by an Alsatian , just because he was out of his house and I walked past going home from school I am terrified of big dogs since yet love them and have had many large dogs myself that are well trained and gentle

    @ OP, I have heard that if attacked by a dog that's obviously not rabid, bigger folk have success with yelling orders such as "SIT DOWN", "Behave" Stay etc" You opinions?

  • +1

    I've had a Yorkshire Terrier bite at my trousers, gave it a soft boot, it moved on.

    I've had an Alsatian very aggressively run up to me barking and snapping at me, I stood tall, puffed up my chest while making growling sounds, it didn't back down but it didn't attack either. I walked off facing towards it and it kept barking and snapping as I moved away however it didn't move from a point as if it couldn't cross an invisible wall.

    I've had a huge Rottweiler charge towards me barking on a field and I froze in fear, it was gigantic and I thought I was going to die. It tore the full wheelbarrow out of my hands and attacked the wheel. Owner came running up apologising saying the dog hates wheelbarrows, I was just relived to not be dog food.

    In all cases I'm walking while daydreaming and the event springs upon me with little time to think.

    • +1

      Owner came running up apologising saying the dog hates wheelbarrows, I was just relived to not be dog food.

      If it had been me, I would have moved to have that dog destroyed. A vicious animal coupled with an oblivious owner is a recipe for disaster. What if a little kid had been involved?

      • +1

        I doubt a kid would be pushing the wheelbarrow I was carrying. Plus that dog was very friendly once I was away from the wheelbarrow, slobbered all over me.

      • You can never be sure of what if scenarios, it is just speculation and killing the dog based on that is not a good reason.

        • The scenario is that the owner had zero control over the dog, even in a situation where he/she knew the dog could be vicious. That's a massive risk as there's no knowing what other situation might trigger a similar reaction.

        • it is just speculation

          Nope, not speculation. Based on the events described by the OP, if a dog assaulted me like that, it would be curtains for the dog. Absolutely.

      • Yep some dogs should be put down period.

  • +5

    Mount the dog to assert my dominance.

    • +2

      Is this an alternate to the finger in the bum technique?

      • +2

        That's the foreplay.

      • Nope it's BS

  • I always thought if i had time, i would jump on van or car and defend myself from a height advantage.

  • I had a dog mildly attack me… The more I kicked it of my ankle… The more and harder it bit.

    I can only really think of two options

    1. If near water, take it to the wwater and drown it given dogs are not good in water.

    2. Try to grap it by the jaw and rip its jaws completely open (i.e break jaw). Im pretty strong so this might work on some long jawed dogs (leverage)… On others like a pitbull or mastiff no chance. This might be unrealistic not sure.

    • Biting force vs hand/arm force? I wonder if it's possible on any dog that would be a threat?

    • The nose is a soft spot and so are the eye (sockets). If lacking in strength, gouging the eyes, twisting the ears and or kicking the nose is a better and quicker means of making the dog submit.

      • Tap out?

  • If there was a tree nearby, probably just climb that and wait for the dog trainer/owner to come and rescue me.

    • Ignore the pain of it's biting, get a good grip, and SNAP IT'S NECK.
    • I'm getting some Call of Duty vibes here…

    • would love to have you as a partner in a movie trivia

  • call saul goodman

  • Depends on the circumstances. If it was two random dogs fighting I'd let them get on with it. If one of my dogs was attacked I'd try to defend it with a few kicks etc but I'd keep my hands clear. If a dog attacked me I'd try to make it go for my left arm so I could deliver a hard rabbit punch to its throat or try to do damage to its body behind the rib cage. Also once everything had died down I would go and kneecap its owner and poison the dog if it was still around.

  • I would ask around and see if anyone wants to put bets on the winner

  • Never needed to be physical with a dog unless it was for play. However I have come very close to aggressive dogs and I have a few tactics in mind like kicking the nose, legs and if on me then eye gouging or pushing each jaw on the opposite direction. Never really needed to use any but I suppose this may work but only for extreme cases and depending on the scenario I guess. I don't understand the need to carry a knife, one dog can be subdued unless there is a human or another dog to accompany him.

  • +1

    Ok i will bite …LOL sorry had to

    well if i can get the hell away to a safe place but if i cant and im saying this if this animal is on a vicious attack —— i would try to choke it to death

  • -1

    "Carry a Knife in your car", hope you never get stopped by Police, regardless of what you think or the law, they will take it and it will go down on your Police File
    (yep, we all have one).

    As for Dog v Dog, water has always worked for me (even when a roaring chainsaw didn't) some guy pulled one from his boot.

    As for Dog v Human, just do what you can. Generally you can bluff them or front them.
    Ive been rounded up by a pack of wild dogs in Thailand, all had cuts and scars, filthy pack animals. Every time i walked towards them they backed off, as i turned to walk away, they came up on me… This went on for 20minutes.

    Had similar here with an old cranky Queensland Healer (my most hated dog bread), it was a c@#t of a thing, always sneaking in to bite your ankles from behind.

    Most Dogs just want to either protect their property or area, or dominant you in some way.

    I have always found "calling their bluff" with a loud deep voice and walking towards them has them second guessing.

    • Nope I actually work with the police to take out dogs in meth labs ( sadly which seems to be so often ) They have trained a dog to attack any unwelcome visitors. My knife they could not care less about that. They want the dog taken out safely and without harm, as they will use the has the dog been trained to attack humans or not in court to convict the offenders. Council animal control officers will gladly pass that detail on to us.

  • I hate the animals who are hostile towards me. I will hit him back with everything I have got.

  • Got bitten by an Irish Wolfhound on the hand at a dog park a couple years ago. Had just entered the park and the dog bit me as the owner was attempting to leave. I didn't try and touch or pat the dog and it was completely unprovoked. The woman who owned it legged it out of the park asap with her dog while people came to my aid. She got away and I ended up in hospital with 5 stitches in my hand. Police came and took statement and apparently the dog was known to them. I also found out later that it had attacked another dog in the park just prior to me entering hence why it was so hyped up.

  • +2

    If a dog was really attacking me, or my family etc, I would try to kick it. Either to the head or a punt to the body. I don't know how well it would work, but that's what I would do.

  • +1

    Haven't had any personal experience with attacks, just the occasional ambiguous approach by a variety of unattended dogs while out walking, which I respond to by stopping and avoiding eye contact.

    A while back I spent some time in the 'dog attack part of YouTube', and came away with the notion that if you've seen one dog attack, you've seen one dog attack. There's just so much variability in how it goes down. Sometimes an aggressive dog will be repelled by yelling at it, other times repeated strikes with a metal bar won't be enough. Sometimes a dog will latch onto a cat and won't let go, other times a cat's intervention will halt an attack.

    And what I saw often contradicted suggestions about what to do. Some say lifting a dog by its hind legs will stop it - saw videos where that was useless. Some say spraying it with water is useless - saw videos where it worked.

  • +1

    My Aunties Chihuahua used to nip ankles and the back of your foot. How I wanted to dropkick that thing over the fence.

  • Dogs can't climb so I probably climb on something, more likely trees… And then call someone

  • As a male, I'd be protecting my nuts with both hands and trying to kick the thing.

    It'd end up looking like an awkward Michael jackson move.

    "hee-hee"

  • If a dog attacked me I would consider it a threat on my life and show no mercy (depending on the situation) towards the dog.

  • Or I would let the dog bite me till he got bored and moved on.

  • +3

    I would do nothing, then later on complain about it passive-aggressively on an online forum.

  • If you're the original angel you bite the dog on the ear.

  • Had a Pitbull try and kill one of my Mum's dogs over Christmas, a tiny little Maltese. Attacked me when I tried to stop it, the damn thing has a strong grip. I had to flip it onto its back and brace myself on its throat, eventually choking it.

    How should one handle that situation? I know about yanking its front legs apart to shatter its rib cage but I didn't want to kill it

    • Had an almost identical situation, but mine was a labrador. Choking the other dog out was the only thing that had any effect at all.

    • +1

      That is a curly one. In that situation I would recommend toweling the dog. Throw a towel/ blanket over the aggressor and wrap it up in a bundle and pull it away. It will be confused and this is how most shelter workers deal with aggressive dogs.

  • +1

    Aggressive dogs arise from being trapped in a small area of the world not being able to roam the world like we do. We trap them behind fences and cage them in small pens. All for what? Human Gratification.

    Imagine yourself in the place of the dog. How would you feel if someone tells you you can't go there just because you are a dog. They have a mind and body.
    Imagine how you would feel if you were to sit in a small pen for hours on (or even days?) Would you go crazy of boredom and feeling wanting to explore the world?

    This is the reason why I don't "own" other animals. They have rights to roam the world like we do. Leave them alone.

    If the dog want to stay with you, then that's good, let it or dont. But don't trap them against their will or aggression happens (they get angry and then to attack).

  • Depends on the size of the dog and how ferociously it attacks.
    I would try to defend myself with nearby objects, or distract it with something, eg jacket. If fighting for my life, I'd try anything, eg go for the eyes. But never been in that situation, so it difficult to know how one would react for sure.

  • From what I see, no offense but reactions by some peeps here seems like they actually scared of dogs? Such an unnecessary force lol Just don't be around dogs then if don't know how to handle dogs. Or animals. Or plants. In that matter.

    • Do you mean the posts in response to the op's question "What Would You Do if You Were Attacked by a Dog?" or the general posts regarding dogs?

      What would you define as 'unnecessary force' ,when being attacked by a dog? How much of you would you allow it to mutilate, before using more force?

      • -1

        To be attacked by dogs you either in the parks and or beaches that allowed dogs off the leash. Or in the someone else property. Most of the time they're on the leash when they're in public. And if that's the case, they can only go as far as the leash go not even if the owner pull the leash first.
        You don't even have to climb anything, not to say that you can't climb.
        Some of my cats chasing dogs, I had to call them back before they start bite dogs. Some of my cats couldn't even careless with dogs. They play with chickens n rabbits.
        We are talking abt dogs, aight?

  • Ok, all jokes aside, what I've been told is to never look at the dog's eyes as they will feel like you're challenging them. Failing that, if they do get aggressive, you're supposed to offer your arm and (unfortunately) let them bite you, but then you have the other hand free to give them a solid whack on the head.

    I'd rather the dog bite my arm than try and bite me in the nuts. That's one thing women don't have to worry about lol

  • I would throw something (my phone?) at it to try gain a second of time and then aim a powerful kick at it's face or neck, or maybe try break one of it's legs. Not really sure what the best option is.

  • +1

    I've been involved in only one serious dog attack, and I can honestly say that I was shocked by just how difficult it is to actually restrain / fight a large dog.. I was aware that it was going to be difficult, but I was not prepared for how little effect most of what I tried actually had. The only thing that ended up working at all, was putting my entire weight on its throat until it simply couldn't breath anymore, at which point it finally released my dog. Punching, prying its jaws, grabbing its legs and lifting etc did not work.

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