If the dog starts biting you, you've got to defend yourself. Hit or kick the dog in the throat, nose, and the back of the head. This will stun the dog and give you time to get away.
Instead, you need to quickly neutralise the dog. The best way to do this is to use your body weight and fall on the dog to crush it - a dog's ribs break easily. With your free arm, go for the dog's eyes, or strike at the back of its head, just at the base of its skull.
Among the most effective methods of defense against dog attacks are pepper spray, legal self-defense weapons, a dog defense spray or a pepper gun. Dog experts advise not to immediately run away in fear in the event of a dog attack, as the four-legged friends are usually faster than humans.
Contrary to popular opinion, pepper spray and Mace are seldom effective. In fact, these agents are known to actually provoke dogs into redirecting their aggression.
1) First get the "OK" from the owner! 2) Hold out your hand, fingers closed, palm down, slowly toward the dog. Allow the dog to approach your hand and sniff it. 3) Wait for the dog's "OK." If he wants your affection, he will lower his head, perk ears, or even come closer to you.
Stable dogs who have been raised by loving humans learn that it is not a threat, at least from those humans. But eye contact is likely to be taken as a threat by a fearful or aggressive dog, thus making the fearful or aggressive dog more so.
If your dog has bitten someone, it's natural to question whether you can ever trust them again. The good news is that in many situations, a dog that's bitten can go on to live a long and happy life with no other incidents.
Physical or direct interactive punishment should be avoided since the pet may become fearful of the owner or of being around the owner in particular situations. The pet justifiably might become defensive when punished, leading to aggressive responses.
If another dog shows signs of aggression towards your dog, the best thing you can do is walk away calmly but quickly. Don't get too close, but try to put a visual barrier like a gate, fence or car in between your dog and the other dog.
If that's not possible, choke it. Don't straddle the dog, but get into a position with the bony part of your forearm against its throat and put pressure on the windpipe "for at least 30 seconds until the dog is unconscious and has stopped struggling," says self-defense specialist Charles Prosper.
Stay calm, and back away slowly. Instead of screaming, or yelling at the dog, speak to him in a soothing tone as you slowly back away. Don't make direct eye contact. Staring in the eyes of an aggressive dog may prompt him to attack.
“Dogs use eye contact as reassurance and understanding in very similar ways that humans do, to ascertain interpersonal connection and reaction. This helps us connect with them as well,” he says. In especially good news for pooch parents, science confirms that dogs use eye contact to express affection.
Among dogs, staring is a threat. When a dog holds their body very still and stares at you, avert your gaze and turn your head to show that you mean no harm. Hold very still to avoid escalating the situation to a bite.
Sound a marine air horn or rape whistle. This will also serve to alert staff of a dog fight and that assistance may be needed: for this reason, all personnel should be required to wear or carry a rape whistle at all times. Use Spray Shield™ (Premier Pet Products, formally called Direct Stop).
Air horns (available at boating supply stores) can be effective at warding off attacking dogs, but your own dog has to be desensitized to the cacophony, or you are likely to lose him as well! You can also risk damage to eardrums, both canine and human, and you do take a chance of frightening your own dog beyond repair.
Pepper spray is one of the best ways to stop an aggressive dog or pack of dogs from biting you, and SABRE Protector® Dog Spray is specifically formulated for use on aggressive dogs. It is compact and be easily carried on your belt, in a pocket or purse when you are walking, jogging, or riding a bike.
For locked-on dogs, twisting the collar cuts off their air supply,and they will eventually release. Another high-risk option for those Bedlam situations is a break stick, a short stick that is inserted from the side between the jaws, and wedged in until the attacker lets go.
Jerking the dogs back by their collars, a loud and firm break command, a bucket of cold water, a water hose, or placing a barrier such as a baby gate between the two dogs may be enough to stop them. Be safe: don't put your hands anywhere near the mouth of the dogs.
"The motivation for lots of dog bites is fear," he says. "Others are territorial - if they're guarding something that they highly value, or defending their favourite resting place, their bed... Or if they've learned to defend, say, a dog bowl - that can result in aggression."