What to do when a Dog Attacks....

[rockin'robin]

Where do dog bites happen?

It may surprise you to know that over half of dog-bite injuries occur at home with dogs that are familiar to us. Among children and adults, having a dog in the household is associated with a higher likelihood of being bitten than not having a dog. As the number of dogs in the home increases, so does the likelihood of being bitten. Adults with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs at home.

Preventing dog bites

Basic safety tips

Do:
Remain motionless (e.g., “be still like a tree”) when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
Curl into a ball with your head tucked and your hands over your ears and neck if a dog knocks you over.
Immediately let an adult know about stray dogs or dogs that are behaving strangely.

Don’t:
Approach an unfamiliar dog.
Run from a dog.
Panic or make loud noises.
Disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
Pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
Encourage your dog to play aggressively.
Let small children play with a dog unsupervised.

If approached by an unknown dog, “be still like a tree.”

What do you do if an unfamiliar dog approaches you and you do not want to interact with a dog?
Stop! Stay still and be calm.
Do not panic or make loud noises.
Avoid direct eye contact with the dog.
Say “No” or “Go Home” in a firm, deep voice.
Stand with the side of your body facing the dog. Facing a dog directly can appear aggressive to the dog. Instead, keep your body turned partially or completely to the side.
Slowly raise your hands to your neck, with your elbows in.
Wait for the dog to pass or slowly back away.


What if you get bitten or attacked by a dog?

Put your purse, bag, or jacket between you and the dog to protect yourself.
If you are knocked down, curl into a ball with your head tucked in and your hands over your ears and neck.
When you get to a safe place, immediately wash wounds with soap and water. Seek medical attention, especially: If the wound is serious (uncontrolled bleeding, loss of function, extreme pain, muscle or bone exposure, etc.).
If the wound becomes red, painful, warm, or swollen, or if you develop a fever.
If it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus shot and the bite is deep.

Because anyone who is bitten by a dog is at risk of getting rabies, consider contacting your local animal control agency or police department to report the incident, especially: If you don’t know if the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.
If the dog appears sick or is acting strangely.

If possible, contact the owner and ensure the animal has a current rabies vaccination. You will need the rabies vaccine license number, name of the veterinarian who administered the vaccine, and the owner’s name, address, and phone number.

See a healthcare provider immediately
If wounds appear infected (red, painful, warm, or swollen).
If you do not know the dog or if the dog does not have a current rabies vaccination certificate, because you might need treatment to prevent rabies.

http://jacksonvilleinjuryblog.com/

 

[dogmom]

overall some good advice.

as a trainer - another thing is that in general - regardless of there's a dog you know, a dog you're meeting on a walk or a stray dog - most dogs dislike being literally "patted" on the head - as in "tap tap" with a flat palm and jarring motion. They also dislike being loomed over and do NOT like hugs. Some dogs tolerate any of the above by a person in their family or by a certain set of people - but their body language says they'd rather not.
Some dogs do especially badly with any of the above and have much less patience than average for it.

In general after you have got permission to meet a dog - say, your neighbor's dog, a family member's new dog, a dog in a pet supply shop - lower yourself or bend down facing away from the dog, and let the dog approach you from behind or to the side. Leave your hands lowered to the ground or at your sides - dogs can smell just fine and don't need you to stick your hand out to them - for some dogs, reaching out with your hand can be seen as threatening <Scary> or punishing. Therefore the meeting experience becomes negative to the dog, even if you are smiling and being friendly and patient.

Don't reach for the dog until and unless the dog actively comes into your own space with a loose, wiggly body, loose, open mouth, tail <if tail> level with back and sweeping gently side-to-side with a slow loose motion.
She may squish into you, or sit with you with a raised paw. This is all body language and is -usually - distance DECREASING signals <I'm happy to see you, come and be with me>

a stiff body and close mouth are often signs of concern, arousal, hesitation. It's one of the first things I look for when determining if I'm going to ask someone if I can pet their dog.

a wagging tail does -not- always mean a happy or welcoming dog.

 

[whatdidyousay!]

overall some good advice.

as a trainer - another thing is that in general - regardless of there's a dog you know, a dog you're meeting on a walk or a stray dog - most dogs dislike being literally "patted" on the head - as in "tap tap" with a flat palm and jarring motion. They also dislike being loomed over and do NOT like hugs. Some dogs tolerate any of the above by a person in their family or by a certain set of people - but their body language says they'd rather not.
Some dogs do especially badly with any of the above and have much less patience than average for it.

In general after you have got permission to meet a dog - say, your neighbor's dog, a family member's new dog, a dog in a pet supply shop - lower yourself or bend down facing away from the dog, and let the dog approach you from behind or to the side. Leave your hands lowered to the ground or at your sides - dogs can smell just fine and don't need you to stick your hand out to them - for some dogs, reaching out with your hand can be seen as threatening <Scary> or punishing. Therefore the meeting experience becomes negative to the dog, even if you are smiling and being friendly and patient.

Don't reach for the dog until and unless the dog actively comes into your own space with a loose, wiggly body, loose, open mouth, tail <if tail> level with back and sweeping gently side-to-side with a slow loose motion.
She may squish into you, or sit with you with a raised paw. This is all body language and is -usually - distance DECREASING signals <I'm happy to see you, come and be with me>

a stiff body and close mouth are often signs of concern, arousal, hesitation. It's one of the first things I look for when determining if I'm going to ask someone if I can pet their dog.

a wagging tail does -not- always mean a happy or welcoming dog.

I was that the park with Marty and some girl wanted to pat him so she started to bend down to put her face right in front of my dog and I told her to stop and don't do that . The woman with her said nothing to girl about not putting her face in front of a strange dog.
What is wrong with people, that the think it's OK to let your child get face to face with a dog they know nothing about . Marty doesn't bite , I was trying to tell the girl that was not safe to do.

 

[dogmom]

you're right - I see people do that with their kids often - and then they say - 'well, she <the kid> does it all the time with -our- dog'
but that doesn't mean your own dog actually wants your own kid to do that and certainly doesn't mean that OTHER dogs want your child's face by theirs!

 

[whatdidyousay!]

you're right - I see people do that with their kids often - and then they say - 'well, she <the kid> does it all the time with -our- dog'
but that doesn't mean your own dog actually wants your own kid to do that and certainly doesn't mean that OTHER dogs want your child's face by theirs!

Yeah some dogs hate people getting into their space and if the dog was to start barking at another dog it could bite the child by accident . Some
people wanted to pet Finlay when was trying to take a poop . :roll: And while I was out shopping with Finlay he was his is uniform some guy was about the pet his head and I pushed the guy hand away and he took mad at me ! I asked the guy how he would like someone petting him on his head while he was working. Marty doesn't even like me standing right over him , he feel threaten . He was abused before I got him.