Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Elisabeth Weiss. Elisabeth Weiss is a Professional Dog Trainer and owner of Dog Relations NYC, a dog training service in New York, New York. Elisabeth relies on science-based, force-free, and reward-based techniques. Elisabeth offers behavior training, puppy manners, body awareness and injury prevention, diet, exercise and dog nutrition services. Her work has been featured in New York Magazine and on the Dog Save the People podcast. She also trained all the dogs in the movie "Heart of a Dog" by Laurie Anderson that features Elisabeth's journey with Laurie Anderson's and Lou Reed's dog Lolabelle and how her passion for playing the keyboards played a significant role in improving her quality of life after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
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While dogs are normally peaceful, friendly animals, they can become aggressive in certain situations. If you have never encountered an aggressive dog before, being in this situation can be terrifying and even dangerous. In such an instance, you'll need to be aware of the best ways to respond to a dog wanting to attack. By knowing the proper responses, you can avoid aggravating the dog even further and inflicting unnecessary injury upon yourself. Dogs attacks are rare, but they can happen. In these situations, you will need to know how to defend yourself against an attacking dog, and how to fight back if necessary.
Steps
Stay on your feet and shout for help. If you let the dog jump on you or bring you to the ground, you'll be in a much weaker position and more likely to be seriously hurt. If you're in a city or residential neighborhood, call out for the dog's owner. If you're in the woods or a rural environment, you'll need to call out for any help you can get.[1]
Place an object between yourself and the attacking dog. This will deter the dog from attacking you, or confuse the dog as to what part of you it should attack. If you have a backpack or bag with you, hold it in the dog's direction. If you have nothing else, you can use a piece of clothing to protect yourself from a severe bite.[2]- A frenzied dog may bite the backpack or bag in front of you, sparing your arms and legs.
- If you have time before the dog attacks you, you can wrap a shirt or jacket around your non-dominant arm and use that to distract the dog.
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Protect your face, neck, and groin. These are the areas that a dog will first attack, and they are the most sensitive areas of your body. Use one arm to cover your face and neck, and the other to shield your groin and belly region.- If the dog attacks you while you're using a hand to cover your face and neck with one hand and your groin with the other hand, it may bite you on the hand or arm—but that would be much less serious than a facial or groin wound.
Don't pull away from a bite. If a dog has sunk its teeth into your body, don't try to wrench yourself free. This will tear the flesh and make the bite wound much worse.[3]
Strike the dog continuously in a vital area. If you do not have a weapon, you'll need to rely on punching, kicking, and gouging. Your best chance is to attack the dog in a vital area that is easy to injure. This will weaken the dog and reduce its ability to hurt you. Specifically, aim for the eyes, ribs, and groin.- A well placed kick to the ribs with a steel-toe boot could be effective at deterring an attacking dog
- If a dog is latched onto your arm, attack its eyes with your thumbs, strike it in the throat, or seize the dog's throat and try to choke it. These are effective defensive measures and may stop the dog from attacking you.
Use weapons to injure the dog. If an aggressive dog is intent on attacking and harming—or killing—you, use whatever weapons you have to protect yourself.[4] If you have a knife, stab the dog repeatedly in its face, jaws, and throat. These are vulnerable areas that will cause serious damage and disable the animal.- If you are carrying a pistol or gun, aim for the dog's head.
- If you're not carrying a weapon, use nearby objects (rocks or boards) to strike the dog.
Avoid the territory of unfamiliar or dangerous dogs. Of course you shouldn't wander into yards patrolled by strangers' dogs, but dogs may also be territorial about other spaces as well. Keep this in mind if you're walking in the woods or in an unfamiliar part of town, including neighborhood streets and public parks.[5]- If you're worried that a dog seems excessively defensive or territorial, find a different way to walk so you're farther away from the dog.
Avoid eye contact. If you're concerned about an unfamiliar or hostile dog, and think it may become aggressive and attack you, don't look it in the eye. Eye contact will signify confrontation to the dog, and it will take that as a hostile gesture.[6]- Avert your eyes by looking above or below the dog, or to its side.
Keep your hands in your pockets. When an aggressive dog is sizing you up and deciding whether or not to attack, he will be looking for parts of your body that are easy to grab on to. Hands are an easy target, since they're exposed and relatively small. Keep your hands in your pockets to avoid giving dogs an easy target, and the dog may decide not to attack you.[7]- If the dog does decide to attack, you'll need to quickly pull your hands from your pockets to defend yourself.
Don't turn your back on an approaching dog. A dog will take it as a sign of weakness and think you're retreating if you turn your back and run. If you turn your back, the dog will likely attack. Stand sideways to the dog, with your side facing it, and avoid sudden movements.[8] If you stand in this non-threatening pose, the dog may lose interest and wander off.- If the dog does not lose interest, walk slowly backward away from the dog until you reach safety.
Bring something with you to serve as a shield. When you go for a walk in an area where dogs are often loose, plan ahead to bring something that can help in case of an attack. If a dog is acting aggressive or going to attack you, you can defend yourself and protect your body by placing an object between yourself and the attacking dog. The dog may even clamp down on the shielding object, and avoid harming you altogether. Having something with you like:[9]- A sweater or jacket.
- A book or newspaper.
- A cane or umbrella.
- A bicycle.
Carry a weapon with you. In case you come across an aggressive dog that attacks you, it's best to be prepared and capable of defending yourself. Pepper spray is available for this purpose, and a knife is certainly better than nothing. Also considering carrying a heavy walking stick that you can swing in self-defense.- If you have steel-toed boots or shoes, these can also be used in self-defense against a dog.
- A firearm is the next step; a pistol can be conveniently carried if the law allows.
Pay attention to your surroundings while walking. If you don't carry a weapon, you can use something you find as a weapon tin case a dog attacks. A sturdy board, pole, or branch should be your first choice. If a dog is threatening you, point the stick at the dog to keep it at bay. Do not try to swing at the dog, as this may anger the animal and cause it to attack.[10]- If no sticks or poles are around, rocks are the next best choice.
- Even if there isn't an aggressive dog nearby that could attack, if you're in unfamiliar territory, it's smart to be aware of your surroundings. Consider what objects you could use to defend yourself in the case of a dog attack.
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Travel with a partner, as dogs will be less likely to attack two people.Thanks
- If you are afraid of dogs in general, you should get some experience with friendly dogs. Your local animal shelter would be delighted if you asked to walk their dogs. Spend time with a variety of breeds and sizes.Thanks
Tips from our Readers 
- If there's some distance between you and the dog, find a high ground, such as a car. The car's alarm may go off from the impact, but the sound can help bring awareness to your situation.
References
- ↑ https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/dog-bite-prevention
- ↑ https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/dog-bite-prevention
- ↑ https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/avoiding_dog_bites.html
- ↑ https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/avoiding_dog_bites.html
- ↑ https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/dogs/dog-attacks-dangerous-and-menacing-dogs/preventing-dog-attacks-in-the-community
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-bite-prevention
- ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6227497.stm
- ↑ https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/avoiding_dog_bites.html
- ↑ https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2019/08/21/dog-attacks-what-to-do
About This Article
To fight off an attacking dog, try to stay on your feet, since you'll be in a much worse position if the dog knocks you down. Additionally, put an object between yourself and the dog, like a backpack or item of clothing, to protect yourself from a bite. Next, cover your face and neck with one arm and your groin and belly with the other, since these are the most sensitive regions where you can be injured. If you are left with no alternative, try striking the dog with a kick to the ribs, or use nearby objects like a rock to strike the dog. For tips on how to avoid getting attacked by dogs, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
"I'm not afraid of dogs, but my sister's property has wild coyotes on it. If one of my nieces get attacked, I now know what to do to fight it off."..." more
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