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What to do if confronted by a potentially aggressive dog?

Flobo

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My friend was on her push bike a couple of days ago cycling down through the estate and was suddenly confronted by a large male Rotti, off the lead, she stopped as the dog was looking straight at her and she felt it was going to chase, the dog squared up to her and did a low growl, my friend stayed still and thankfully the owner appeared and thanked her for stopping?!! and he walked away with the dog... she asked me what the protocol should be in that situation, do you stare back at the dog or keep your eyes averted or something else?? By the sound of what she described staying still was a good instinct but any other thoughts on what to do in that situation? The owner was around but on his phone and just happened to look up and notice his dog... My mate for the first time in her life, who has never worried about dogs, was actually quite shaken up by the experience...
 
do you stare back at the dog or keep your eyes averted

Dogs find face to face eye contact quite intimidating so I would take a 45 degree angle so I could keep the dog in my field of vision but not stare it down. I would also make sure it had an escape route - most animals will avoid a fight if they can as it is uses a lot of energy and it's a huge drain on their physical resources. But if I had a bike or any other sort of barrier I would also manoeuvre it between the dog and myself - or try to create another barrier by getting behind a fence etc. All with really slow and non jerky movements. If I had a jacket or heavy sweater (and the presence of mind in the moment) I would try to slowly remove it so that if the worst happened I could use it rolled up as protection over my arms.

I should add I know this from theory and not practical experience!
 
Yup- look away, stand stock still and keep your arms and hands unmoving at your sides. Don't speak. It's what you teach children encountering strange or threatening dogs. Dogs rarely want to get into it. Though a mother did ask me once 'Yes but what happens if it's a trained attack dog being egged on by its handler?' So I suppose I'd have to admit nothing is foolproof. Sounds as if your friend did the right thing.
 
Though a mother did ask me once 'Yes but what happens if it's a trained attack dog being egged on by its handler?'

I hope you asked 'What about a mother that puts her child in that situation' :eek:
 
I know! I wish I'd said something like that but I was too stunned. I wonder did her child make a habit of breaking into nuclear power stations- or CIA headquarters? Weird or what...
 
Thanks, the moving bike slowly to protect and possible jacket removal and rolled up is a good idea. She said she didn't stare at dog but kept him in her field of vision, thankfully her instincts kicked in and all was well in that moment! I know these things may happen rarely but always good to have a plan in the back of your mind, just in case...;)
 

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