If a dangerous dog approaches you and looks like it’s about to bite, your first instinct may be to run. You don’t want to suffer serious injuries, and you know that dogs are territorial. It seems like leaving the dog’s territory as quickly as possible would help you avoid the attack.
In actuality, it’s often best not to run. Instead, you want to do things like standing still, avoiding eye contact, slowly backing away from the dog and potentially giving the dog something that will distract it – a coat, a purse, etc. Your goal should be to remain calm, if possible. You typically don’t even want to make loud noises or talk to the dog. You just want to ignore it to show it that you are not a threat and slowly leave it’s territory.
Why is running a bad idea?
While running may be your first instinct, the truth is that it may just make an attack more likely. Remember that some dogs have a very strong prey drive. At heart, dogs are predators and know that they are supposed to chase. When something is running from them, this prey drive kicks in and they want to chase and attack it.
In other words, the dog may have been growling at you to warn you not to come near its territory. If you back away slowly, it will let you leave. But if you run, the prey drive kicks in and the dog is going to chase you. This just makes it more likely that you’ll get injured, even though that’s what you’re trying to avoid.
Either way, though, the dog’s owners may be responsible for any injuries you suffer in the attack. Be sure you know what legal steps to take.