Dog trainer advice: what not to do when attacked by a vicious dog

No one is immune to a dog attack. An encounter with such an animal threatens not only one's health but also one's life. To protect yourself and your children, you need to clearly know what not to do when encountering a vicious dog.

Don't turn your back and don't try to run away.

Dogs most often attack from behind. Don't try to escape. If an animal sees a fast-moving creature or object, its pursuit instinct is triggered. This is a very ancient mechanism, inherited from wild animals. You should only run away if the dog is relatively far away from you and there is shelter nearby, such as a personal car, a store, or a doorway.

Do not try to pick up anything from the ground if the dog is close.

You can bend down to let the animal know you're picking something up from the ground, but only if it's not close to you. It will assume you're picking up a stick or stone and might use it. Many stray mongrels have had something thrown at them at least once, and this experience can cause them to become frightened and run away. But by bending down next to a potential aggressor, you expose your face and neck, where it will inevitably latch on, determined to attack first.

Don't be silent

Under no circumstances should you scream hysterically in fear. Pull yourself together and command the dog to retreat in a commanding voice. Try giving the command "back" or "no"; in some cases, this may work.

You can try to scare the animal away by yelling, but your voice should be rough and threatening, and the volume should increase as you finish. If you fail to drive the dog away, call on passersby for help.

Don't panic

Try not to be afraid of your four-legged friend; they sense it. Fear causes the human body to release large amounts of adrenaline and norepinephrine, which a dog's ultra-sensitive nose can detect.

Remember: your uncertainty will only make the animal more confident, and it will become more aggressive towards you. It's important to pull yourself together and assess the situation objectively. Don't show fear and be confident, because only a clear assessment of the situation can save you.

Don't be afraid to hit an attacking dog

If you can't avoid a conflict with a mongrel, you should be fully prepared for a fight and not be afraid to strike. Don't show mercy to your opponent, as they have no concept of humanity and will kill their prey if given the chance.

If you have a bag or backpack (or other similar object), you should hold it out in front of you. This will encourage the dog to grab onto it, giving you a safe opportunity to attack. Don't throw the item, as the dog will soon lose interest and turn on you. Pull on it to intensify the bite, and then strike its weak spot. Here are a few examples:

• nose;
• bridge of the nose;
• base of the skull;
• middle of the back;
• solar plexus;
• stomach.

Try to hit the dog in the nose as hard as you can, as this is its most sensitive area. It will experience intense pain and retreat. You can also try hitting the bridge of the nose or the base of the skull. If you're not armed with an object and the dog is jumping, try kicking it in the stomach or chest. If the strike is strong and accurate, the impact will be painful and the animal will retreat.

Don't let yourself be surrounded by several dogs

If you encounter a pack of dogs, do not allow yourself to be surrounded. Working together, mongrels surround their prey to attack from behind. In this case, winning the fight is extremely difficult unless you receive assistance. Look around to see if there is a wall, fence, or large vehicle nearby. If there is a large object nearby, slowly, trying not to turn your back or sideways to the aggressors, press your rear against it. This will significantly reduce the likelihood of an attack and give you the opportunity to call for help.

These are the basic recommendations from dog trainers, which you can follow to avoid conflict and save your health and life in a dangerous encounter with a dog. Remember: you're not only stronger than an average dog, but also smarter, so use your most important and advantageous weapon—your wits—first and foremost. After all, force is a last resort, and the best fight is the one you never had.