If you’re approached by a dangerous dog, your instinct is probably to run. In fact, this dog may even follow you while you’re out for a jog, so you’re just tempted to speed up and try to get away.
But the reality is that this may not work, and could even make your situation worse. Below are three reasons why you shouldn’t run from a dog.
1. Their prey drive kicks in
First of all, dogs have something called prey drive. They essentially want to chase prey, and they instinctively do so. A dog may act aggressively – by barking or growling – but not chase you. If you start running, then this instinct may kick in and escalate the situation.
2. You’re facing the wrong direction
Additionally, experts note that it is best to back away slowly when trying to put that distance between you and a potentially dangerous dog. If you’re running, you’re facing the wrong direction and the dog is more likely to chase. You don’t want to make eye contact, which can be seen as aggressive, but it is good to be facing the dog as you move away from it.
3. You’re not fast enough
Finally, dogs are simply faster than people. Even if you’re a professional runner, you can’t outrun most dogs. So, while it is a good idea to create space and get away from a dangerous animal, running just isn’t a tactic that is going to work in most cases.
Of course, you can do everything right and the dog may still bite you. If this occurs, you certainly need to know how to seek compensation from the dog’s owner.
