Dealing with a dog attack; From prevention to the right reaction at the critical moment

Dogs usually attack humans when they feel threatened or afraid. To avoid provoking the dog, do not pet the dog without the owner’s permission, do not approach the dog while eating or handling the puppies, and avoid dogs in chains and captivity.

Usually, a dog that is about to attack will show you its teeth, growl, pull its ears back, lick its lips, and put its head and body in line. There are many ways to deal with dog aggression; But one of the most important tips for dealing with a dog attack is to stay calm.

Dog attack prevention tips that everyone should know:

keep calm

The feeling of fear and then getting confused and doing things like kicking the dog, waving the hands, etc., stimulate the dogs; Therefore, keeping calm is known as one of the most important points to deal with a dog attack. If a dog approaches you, be calm; Sometimes dogs come to humans just because of smell and do not hurt.

_{Photo source: washingtoninjury.com website; Photographer: Unknown}

When faced with any type of dog, whether domestic or stray, stand still and keep your hands by your sides and never make eye contact with the dog. Also, smiling because the teeth are visible, leads to irritation of the dog. Instead of facing the dog, stay next to it so the dog doesn’t feel threatened. If the dog in question is domesticated and trained, give him a command and say, for example, “Go home!”; It is possible that the dog will move away from you with this command. One of the signs of trained dogs is that they have a collar.

Escaping the situation

First, make sure that the escape position is ready; Because by running away, you stimulate the dog’s hunting instinct and even if the animal does not intend to attack, it will attack the human. If the dog is coming towards you from a distance and the car is 1.5 to 3 meters away from you, get into the car quickly. If you are on foot or have a bicycle, don’t think about running away; Because dogs are faster than bicycles and humans. If there is a tree nearby, climb it to avoid a dog attack.

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There are two ways to create an escape position. If you have something like a water bottle, throw it away to distract the dog. In another method, sit on your knees and put your hands on your knees. Then gently tap your knee and ask the dog to come to you. If the dog does not approach, calmly walk away. If the dog comes close, pet his shoulder or under the chin for three seconds, and repeat the petting for three to five seconds if the dog wishes; If the dog moves away after petting, leave the area.

Attack the dog

If the dog attacks you, you must also attack him. The throat, nose, eyes and back of the dog’s head are considered sensitive parts of this animal’s body, and you should hit these areas when attacking. You can use a tool like a stick or your hands and feet to hit. Kick the animal’s belly and hit its ears and eyes with your fist. One of the tips to deal with a dog attack is to use pepper spray and citronella spray. These sprays knock dogs off their feet. If possible, cover the animal’s head with a shirt or shawl to restrain it.

_{Photo source: pikwizard; Photographer: Unknown}

If you have a lot of strength, keep the dog on the ground and get behind him. Apply pressure to the chest, throat or neck of the animal with elbows or knees until it passes out; However, note that this method does not work on large dogs such as Rottweiler, Pitbull, and German Shepherd. If the situation is critical, suffocate the dog as a last resort. To do this, use your dog’s collar, belt or elbow.

Defense against the dog

If you are not able to fight the dog, you should take care of the sensitive areas of your body; To do this, lie on the floor, fold your legs into your stomach, cover your face, chest and throat with your hands. If you wear something like a backpack, put it on your face. By doing this, the dog thinks the backpack is part of your body and attacks it. After the dog has calmed down, calmly walk away.

_{Photo source: telegrafi.com website; Photographer: Unknown}

See a doctor

If you are injured due to a dog attack, see a doctor as soon as possible. Before you see a doctor, wash the wound gently with warm soapy water, then disinfect it with alcohol and apply antibiotic ointment to the affected area. Finally, bandage the wound. Note that you must go to the doctor; Because it is possible that the wound is infected or the dog has rabies. If you are suffering from anxiety due to a dog attack, see a psychiatrist or psychologist.

_{Photo source: Wikimedia; Photographer: Tanner Ford, TRFPhotography}

Do you have experience with dog attacks? What have you done to deal with this animal? We will be happy to share your experiences and information with the Kojaro companions.

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