Surviving a Dog Attack: What Everyone Should Know

Thousands of people across America carry one fear in common: Walking by themselves and being viciously attacked by a dog. Would you know what to do? Would you be able to walk away? Would you survive it?

The most important thing to remember is to make yourself as non-threatening as possible. Do not make eye contact with the dog at all. Keep your head bowed low but high enough to see the dog. Face your entire body sideways facing the dog. This is a sign that you are submitting to him and you are not challenging him. Standing face to face with a dog otherwise known as chest to chest is a sign of dominance.

Plant your feet so that you stand solid. The worst thing that can happen is for the dog to knock you onto the ground. This makes your face, hands, and neck vulnerable to attack. If you do lose your balance and end up on the ground the most important thing to do is protect yourself. Curl up into a ball and make your hands into fists. Use one arm to block your throat and the other to cover your face. These are the worst areas to be bit by a dog and those are the areas that need the most protection.

If you do feel comfortable fighting back make sure you know what you are doing. If you do it wrong you will aggravate the dog and make him go after you more. If there is a stick or anything like that within reaching distance of you, grab it. Do not bend down to get it. This makes it way to easy for the dog to knock you over. Only as a last resort can you hit the dog in the mouth if he is already biting you. If you hit him too soon it will make him bite you.

As scary as it is, remember not to run. Even if the dog was not going to attack you, he will now. And this way your back is turned to the dog you will not see him coming at you. Stay calm and think logically. If you make yourself panic the dog can tell and it will amp him up even more. Back away slowly. If you are near a door or a fence without turning your back on the dog slowly and methodically make your way to the door. Do not use any quick movements and do not attract more attention to yourself. By moving slowly the dog will not think you are a threat and might allow you to make a get away. If you challenge or threaten him that is when he will attack.