How to Protect Yourself from Dogs While Walking

Walking can be a relaxing way to exercise but an encounter with an aggressive dog along the way is a terrifying, potentially dangerous situation. Knowing how to protect yourself from dogs while walking is vital to your safety.

1.  Avoiding dogs

Avoid walking in places you know or suspect aggressive dogs may be.
Dogs in packs are especially dangerous. Avoid groups of dogs that number three or more.

Even if an aggressive dog is fenced, avoid walking right past it if possible. Stay well away from the dog's territory. Large dogs can jump fences if agitated. 

Be wary of walking on country roads that may be places dogs roam free. Often unwanted dogs are dumped in the country and left to fend for themselves. These dogs may have been aggressive in the first place or have become so because of having been abandoned. Frightened dogs are dangerous. 

If traveling overseas, be aware that dogs roam in packs in some countries. Ask locals about the nature of the dogs and where the packs tend to congregate most, along where it is safe to walk. 

2.  Behaving sensibly around dogs

 Resist petting a stray dog or even a dog that is out walking with its owner. Ask permission before approaching the animal. Especially avoid petting a dog that is eating or drinking or approaching a mother with pups.

Control your emotions as much as you can if a dog threatens to attack. Dogs can sense panic and may become even more aggressive.

• Never make direct eye contact. Keep the dog in your peripheral vision but don't look it right in the eye as dogs may perceive this as a threat.
• Don't turn your back on a barking or charging dog.

Never run from a dog as it will outrun and overcome you easily.

Stop jogging or slow down your walk. Running triggers a dog's instinct to chase you. Avoid sudden movement. 

Speak to any harassing dog in a firm, calm voice. Give it commands to sit or stay. Shrieks, cries or shouts may antagonize the animal further. Don't smile or speak in a friendly, wheedling voice either.

• When using vocal commands, deepen your voice as much as possible. Ladies, try to sound manly.
• If a dog is running at you, turn to face the dog. Do not wave your hands or lift them in the air; instead face the dog and put your hands in front of you, palms out and fingers wide, gesturing "STOP". With a deepened voice, say loudly "STOP!" Then with one hand, point at the dog and loudly say "GO HOME!". This may confuse the dog because it will think that you maybe do have the authority to tell it what to do. More than a few dogs have been sent "home" using this method.

3. Carrying protection on walks

Protect yourself by carrying a defensive weapon with you on your walk.

• Pepper spray directed at the attacking dog's eyes can stop it in its tracks. Be aware of wind direction while spraying, however, as the spray could blow back on you.
• Electronic whistles or other devices emit sounds that cause dogs extreme discomfort and may cause them to leave you alone.
• Think about carrying a stun gun designed to protect you from vicious dogs. A telescopic stun baton is thought to be best as this device extends out so you can make contact with the dog from a distance.[citation needed] Many times the sounds made from the electronic charge is enough to frighten the dog away without actually harming it.

4. Defending yourself if attacked

Protect yourself from serious injury if the dog does attack.

• Guard your throat with your arm. Teach children to protect their throats by placing their fists under their chins. Tell them to not flail their hands or jump around.
• Kick a small dog hard in the nose. The nose is a sensitive area and that may deter the dog from biting.
• Assume a firm stance. Stand with one leg in front of the other to maintain your balance.
• Use anything handy as a barrier between you and the attacking dog. A purse, backpack, or umbrella can be used as a weapon or shield. Sometimes opening and closing an umbrella in the animal's face might deter it. Look for a nearby car or fence to get behind or climb onto.
• If you are knocked down or fall, curl into a ball and protect your head, neck and abdomen. Cover your face with your hands.
• As difficult as it may be, try not to pull away from a dog that is biting you. This will only make it more aggressive. Instead grab the back of its head and press it against your arm. That way it can't close its mouth (to deepen the injure).

 Illustrated by Ted Slampyak

Used a backpack as a shield and use a variety of kicks to keep aggressive dogs.
If you ever encounter a hostile dog that is out for blood, this is the way to walk with intact jugular.

 Seek medical treatment for any bites you have received. Report any dog that has attacked you to authorities. Be sure to describe the dog as well as possible and note any strange behavior as the dog may be rabid. Wash your wounds thoroughly as soon as you can.