How not to get dog bit

Of course, this is best aggressive dog link I could find.   Mostly because it’s positive about correcting the behavior.   The dog is not the major problem, but a symptom of lack of socialization.

Into every life a dig will come.   Hopefully on good terms.   However, if things go bad there are simple strategies to help avoid disaster.

Dogs are territorial!  If you enter, their job is to make sure you belong.   Distance yourself from their home can alleviate the threat the dog perceives. Why does that matter?   The sidewalk isn’t taught to every dog.  They don’t understand easements.  You’re in there yard.  

Dogs sense fear!  Oh please!   They great your heart rate and breathing accelerating!  They hear really well.   You’re eyes get really big when you’re excited.   The dog sees that as aggressive behavior.  If you state at dog, your oversized eyes make a strong challenge to the dog.   If you encounter the same dog on a walk, jog, bike ride talk to it.  It’ll make you more relaxed.  It gives animal reference to you, it’ll learn your behavior.  Somewhat, you still a stranger.

Body language.   If your significant other (this lacking one think mother when you were kids) was angry with you what postures would you see.  A dead stare.   A curled lip or brow.  Stiff body positions?   Ridged arms crossed almost frozen?  How about leaving toward you?   Well food don’t cross arms, but they lean.   They become frozen.   Hair on the back is a bad thing.   A tail that didn’t move is very bad.   Dropped tail and raised shoulder means it’s coming at you.  Snarling is obvious aggressive.   But jumping at fences and Windows should be considered aggressive too.   Larger dogs can break windows or jump standard height fences.   Avoiding the animal is best.   Crossing the street if you can.  

Dogs are much faster than you are.  You never turn your back on an aggressive animal. You’re giving a great target.   You’re encouraging the chase response in the dog. You have no idea of what is happening!

Yell at the dog.  Few dogs have no training.   Sit, lay down, go home. … yelling these as deep voice as you can.  Your goal is to delay an attack.   Do it long enough backing away, than you can control the encounter.  

Larger dogs cause more damage.   But labeling breeds is a disaster.   Police, EMS workers, paramedics, first aid providers rarely are given dog breed training.   So every boxy jaw dog is a pit bull.  No, it’s not.  Every Shepard is a “one person dog”, nope!  Dogs are social animals.  They learn a place in the pack.   They behave based on their tendencies and training.   They have personalities like people.   Good people, bad people and good dog, bad dog.   Don’t assume need matters.   At one time,  cocker spaniels were listed as the number one biter in the US.  Based on records in New England from hospitals.   Did anyone ban them? Are there more cocker spaniels there than in Denver?

If you come in contact with a strange dog.   Don’t put your hand or face into it’s face.   You wouldn’t do it to the dog’s owner.  The dog has no where to run on a leash.  Respect it’s space.   Ask the owner to pet the dog.  They know if the dog likes people.

I have spent eight years training my fellow US Postal workers how to avoid dog bites.   Simple training reduced dog bites by about ten percent.   They aren’t fool proof but guidelines.  Animal ownership carries responsibility.  I have a houseful of rescue animals.