Dogs are friendly and loyal, but they can also have their not-so-friendly moments. They can be happily wagging their tails one minute, and the next minute, charging right at you. This might happen for various reasons, such as excitement, fear or to protect their territory. The key to protecting yourself against an unpleasant episode is to understand dog behavior and recognize the right signs, if any. Assessing a dog’s actions correctly might help you react appropriately, without overreacting and aggravating the situation. What you need to tell yourself in order to prevent things from escalating is that a charging dog might not be aggressive by nature, but scared or confused.
Stay calm and still
If a dog displays an aggressive behavior towards you, it might feel normal to run away screaming. But dog experts advise you against it. Resist the urge to make quick movements as they might make things worse and challenge the dog to chase you. Rather than doing that, try to stay calm, avoid eye contact, and don’t move your arms in any way that might trigger the dog. Staying calm is a sign that you are not posing any threat. It allows the dog to reconsider its actions and want to avoid a conflict as well. It might seem nonsense to some, but dogs don’t want any conflict either.
Avoid eye contact
Making direct eye contact is in most cases seen as a challenge by the other person, or animal, for that matter. Dogs make no exception. Instead of looking at one directly, try to look away, but not completely, so as not to see the dog at all. Keep it under close monitoring but in a more discreet way.
Not making direct eye contact will send a message to the dog that you are not a potential rival with unfriendly intentions. Remain calm and relaxed, as much as possible, and avoid sudden movements. The dog might not consider you a threat and stop charging. No direct contact and interpretable movement might work, unless you ran into one these Top 6 Most Dangerous Animals in the US!
Keep your voice firm
If the dog doesn’t seem to get your peace messages, than you need to use a firm voice and command it to stop or stay. Most dogs comply when commands are given on an authoritative tone, even those made by strangers. Keep your voice firm, no yelling or making pitched sounds, as they can make the dog even more agitated. Hearing a firm command might make them stop in their tracks, even for a moment, giving you the opportunity to turn things in your favor.
See also: 12 Sweet Dog Breeds That Look Scary… but Are TOTAL Sweethearts
Create a barrier
To make sure a charging dog does not inflict any physical damage on any part of your body, use an object as a shield between you and the aggressive dog. It could be an umbrella, purse, jacket or anything else that can be used for this defensive purpose. This will help you deflect the dog’s attention towards something else. However, you might want to avoid waving objects in an aggressive way, as it might make the dog even more determined to attack you.
Instead of waving an object, use it as a barrier between you and the dog, allowing the animals to calm down. If not, it will at least give you some time before someone else can come to your rescue.
Use dog deterrent spray
If necessary, dog deterrent sprays can be used without harming dogs. They are designed to keep aggressive dogs away by causing them some sort of discomfort, either in the form of a bad odor, or foul taste. If, for whatever reason, you are a magnet for dogs and somehow your actions trigger their more aggressive side, carrying a deterrent spray might the best solution for you. Do not use it irresponsibly and make sure you only do it to protect yourself and other people.
Use an object for distraction
Another way to shift a dog’s focus is to throw an object. You can either direct it at the dog or throw it aside. This method can help in interrupting a dog’s momentum, giving you some time to move farther away from the animal and find a safer space. just make sure you do not throw the object in an aggressive manner, as it might create even more chaos. Toss the item gently to distract the dog, not to make it feel even more threatened by you.
Back away slowly
If you are lucky enough for the dog to stop in its tracks instead of charging directly, then that might be your chance to back away slowly. But remember, never take your eyes off the dog and don’t make any sudden movements. Running is also not a good option as it might trigger the dog’s chasing instincts and follow you.
Stay calm, try not to trip and retreat with small steps. This will send a message to the dog that you do not pose any real threat, allowing the animal to calm down and become uninterested in chasing you.
Find some elevated ground
If feasible, seek higher ground or an elevated position like climbing a sturdy structure. Dogs are less likely to pursue when you’re out of their immediate reach. This tactic is beneficial in open areas with few barriers. While climbing, ensure the structure is safe and stable to avoid injuries. Being elevated can also give you time to assess the situation or call for help.
Call for help
If all the aforementioned measures did not work or if you think you cannot deal with a charging dog all by yourself, then call for help. Try to ask for the support of other individuals nearby, if any, or call the animal control. Providing information and details about the dog, what it looks like, where the interaction took place, can be useful for the authorities to solve the situation in an efficient and safe manner for all the parties involved. In some cases, the dog might even have an owner close by who might help in defusing the situation.
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Know when it’s time to protect yourself
In some instances, all your efforts to maintain peace might not work. If the dog continues its aggressive charge, then, it is essential to be able to protect yourself properly. You can use sturdy projects to keep the dog away and prevent it from hurting you in any way. The objective should be to protect your most vulnerable areas like your face, your hands, but this does not mean that you shouldn’t also try to not hurt the dog while defending yourself.
Preventing unwanted interactions
If you know there might be certain areas with stray dogs or dogs that are allowed by their owners to roam freely around the neighborhood, then it might be better to avoid such areas. If you have constant encounters with dogs during your walks or jogs, don’t forget deterrent sprays, dog body language and basic moves that might help you in case you meet a more aggressive dog.
It’s better to prevent something that trying to find urgent solutions in the heat of things.
Understanding dog behavior
A charging dog doesn’t always mean an aggressive dog. This is why it is extremely important to understand their behavior, their body language and reason behind their actions, in this case, charging. A dog wagging its tail, raising its ears, crouching and the like, can all come from different emotions that the dog is feeling. Knowing what the most common dog actions mean can help you diffuse situations and avoid unnecessary or dangerous interactions.
It’s not only dogs that may become aggressive for no apparent reason. On that note, check out Why Your Cat Might Be Hissing.
