What would you do if you were attacked by a dog?

[gooeydog]

I know it's one of those things where you really don't know how you'd react until it's happened, but how do you think you'd react if you were attacked by a dog? Would you react differently for different "degrees of intensity" (ie: dog just trying to get rid of you, vs dog trying to kill you)? And what do you consider to be the best way to lessen the damage or stop the attack?

[Guest Anonymous]

Well, if there's a few things I've learned (from reading and experience with dogs), one of the big ones is to never look a dog in the eyes (that might attack), but also don't look away! I know when I say that, most people are like "well where do I look then!?" LOL Look at the DOG!
You should basiclly react like you would if you were being attacked by a bear (anyone in my little town knows that, but for you city folk, I will explain...)
SLOWLY walk backwards... do NOT turn and run, this will kick in that "hunting instinct"
Try talking slowly and calmly to the dog.
If the dog attacks... this is what our teacher told us for bears: BE A LOG! Drop to the ground on your belly, and cover the back of your neck with your hands... if you get rolled over, roll back over to your belly. This way your vitals are covered. You may still get hurt because your being attacked, but at least it won't be serious damage.

Now you asked what I would do? LOL I would probably panic, and try my hardest to remember that... but if I couldn't... I don't really know what I would do... hopefully it never happens to me (or anyone one else, although we all know it does :( ) hopefully I would remember to do all that.

[Guest Anonymous]

several years ago my daughter got bit. it was in our yard by a dog that she knew. the owner wanted it put to sleep but we said no, we found out that our female dog was in heat and that is why he was in our yard. it was a weiner dog and it grabed the back of her leg as she was walking away. it took three steps of her trying to run after it bit for it to let go. they put the dog to sleep anywya, ( i think cuz it tried to bite the cop that came to get it out of the yard,) she didnt have any problem going out there when she saw it but then it barked she thought it was just talking to her. i say even dogs you know be very careful.. we had wendy fixed after that . shes gone now sign i sure mess her :o(

[bk_blue]

I think backing away and avoiding eye contact is very sensible. Also covering your vital bits ie. by rolling on belly if you're on the ground is a good idea. Playing possum (playing dead) might work too? Being attacked by a dog isn't something I've given a lot of thought to :oops: :oops: :oops: I wouldn't like to kick a dog either, but if it meant the difference between my face being ripped open and the dog breaking some ribs then I know what I would prefer :-?
I reckon half of it might depend on my mood!!! LOL!!! If I'd been attacked last week I would have fought back... this is what PMS does to you, guys :wink:

[deepseasnake]

well Im gonna go the other way with this one. If the dog is trying to get you to "go away" then Id just go away, and its over. but if the animal is attacking you, unprovoked then Im gonna be real stern with it and I'll definatly be looking it in the eyes. If the dog is openly challenging you to a fight, accept the fight without delay! well how about this, I was recently "rushed" by a feral dog on a paper route at about 3am he was in a full charge when I figured out he was coming for me. So I gave a war cry and rushed the dog swinging two papers in bags like numchucks I never came close to making contact with the animal, as soon as I started my charge he bolted :lol:

If you really think about it when would an animal attack a larger stronger animal alone? only if it was crazy or threatend either way hes gonna attack so you had better fight back or we might read about it the next mourning.

The thing is I think most attacks are the "get out of my territory" attacks and people just dont get out of the way fast enough, I mean if the dog shows aggresion and you passively back off, it was a territory issue not a blood thirst. I read on a page Hobbit suggested to me that only 3% of dog attacks are malicious in nature, or non territorial

H.N. said

BE A LOG! Drop to the ground on your belly, and cover the back of your neck with your hands... if you get rolled over, roll back over to your belly. This way your vitals are covered. You may still get hurt because your being attacked, but at least it won't be serious damage.

I gotta just throw this out there, this is NOT the current suggested plan of action for a black bear attack and actually not exactly for a grizz either, let me explain.

Black bears (the small ones) play with their dead in the same manner Orca whales do, so DONT PLAY DEAD, at the point contact is made YOU MUST BECOME THE AGGRESSOR and fight for you life because this might be it. You must make the bear think your not worth the fight, pick up a stick and or gauge the eyes kick bite and scream!!! I'll try to find a study done by S. Cal. Univ. to show you guys but if you fight back in a balck bear attack you are 300% more likely to survive the attack!

Brown bears (the big ones)
are alot more like golden retriver, simple and lazy but if you somehow manage to piss one off you are in huge trouble! be big and bad UNTIL THE BEAR MAKES CONTACT because if you fight these guys back you will be adding fuel to the fire so in this case stop, drop and pray :lol:

H.N. is not wrong but it is the old way of dealing with encounters, I hike alot and frequent obsolete parts of Alaska and Canada and we always go over these basics before we go out.

[bk_blue]

Nice to see you on the board Deep :D Hobbit has been the centre of us girls' attention!!!

[deepseasnake]

Hobbit has been the centre of us girls' attention!!!

now theres a scary thought :lol:


on the bear thing, they arent hunters they are scavangers thats why they go for fish, its an easy target. I mean think about it when was the last time you saw a bear chasing down a moose? My point is they dont expect you to fight back so if you can bust a nose or pluck an eye it must really throw them for a loop. I guess the MAJOR exception here is when mommy is protecting baby and your between them, your just out of luck

did you know a Grizz can run up a hill faster than you can go down? and a brown bear at full speed is about 3 times faster than an olympic sprinter? so dont run :lol:

[gooeydog]

There's so much contradictory information out there though that it's hard to know what's best. I mean, one source tells you to play dead, another tells you to "be a tree", another tells you to fight back. One tells you to lay flat on your stomach if you're knocked to the ground, another tells you to curl in a ball with your hands clasped behind your neck. Some advise to not look at the dog, some advise that you stare the dog down. That's why it's good to see what other people think :lol: . Also, since there are so many different "styles" of dogs out there, one method won't necessarily work to stop all dog attacks. For instance, if you kicked a Sheltie (no offense to shelties, they were just the first thing that popped into mind) that was attacking you, it would likely make the dog stop and think, whereas if you kicked a Rottie (again, the first breed that came to mind) that was attacking you, it wouldn't faze the dog as much. Of course, the dog's commitment to hurting you would also come into play... most dogs that attack are defending something (themselves, their property, their pups, whatever they perceive as "theirs"), and if they begin to feel their life is in danger, they'll back down (self preservation). Some really prey driven dogs will actually fight back harder if the "prey" tries to escape. These dogs will also abandon the "fight" (in this case, the attack) if things start to get too bad, but usually take longer to give up. Then there are also dogs who have "less" of the self preservation instinct (either because of breeding or training/conditioning) than most dogs, and they'll take more punishment than most other dogs before trying to get out of the situation.
If you are trying to fight off a dog that's attacking you, remember that just as humans, dogs have areas that are more receptive to pain. Noses, ears, eyes, "bits" (as per K :lol: ) are all more sensitive than say, the back of the neck. If the dog has on a collar and you can grab it (if it's a flat collar, you'll have to twist it also to tighten it so they can't pull out) and try to choke the dog (granted, this probably isn't the best method, but if there's no other way and you're being bitten anyway...).
I really don't know what I'd do if a dog was attacking me, but I'd probably try anything that might get them off me (I'm not much for laying down (or standing) and hoping they get bored and go away).

[bullygirl29532]

Being i watch alot of animal shows and those ones about if animals attack I'll tell you what i've learned.
If a dog attackes punch it in the nose: the reason being is it's the most sensitive part or you could try to gouge out the eyes but i belive punching it is the most effective way.
If you encounter a bear back away slowly if the bear charges and KEEPS coming after you ( most bears charge just to make their point but they don't chase) Run or scramble down a hill or cliff side. since bears are bottom heavy they'll go A** over tea kettle giving you enough time to get away. DO NOT CLIMB A TREE.
as for sharks grab them by the gills, those 3 or 4 slots behind the head. they are fish and will not be able to breath Don't kick a shark in the under belly cause he might puke on you w/ o letting you go.
So that is what i have gathered from various sources, such as a vermont park ranger, steve irwin (the crock guy), and the FX network
But in the case of a polar bear, hang it up cause if they want you, your lunch.

[bullygirl29532]

Sorry about the bear thing it has to be a steep hill. more than a 30 degree angle for them to fall.

[Guest Anonymous]

H.N. said
Quote:
BE A LOG! Drop to the ground on your belly, and cover the back of your neck with your hands... if you get rolled over, roll back over to your belly. This way your vitals are covered. You may still get hurt because your being attacked, but at least it won't be serious damage.

I gotta just throw this out there, this is NOT the current suggested plan of action for a black bear attack and actually not exactly for a grizz either, let me explain.

Well, the Act Like a Log thing was what we were taught in school... perhaps they need to be teaching children a different way? We were taught this in about grade... 4 or 5, then last year in CAPP we were going over it, they asked what to do, we came up with that (between everyone in the class) and he said that was correct.

I agree with Goo about it depends on the dog as well.

About the hitting them on the nose, you do realize that's where their TEETH ARE RIGHT?! with my dog, we play this game and I try to touch the top of her nose, she will push my hand away with her muzzel, or grab my hand (GENTLY, I taught her when she was a puppy how soft to grab people with her mouth). It is VERY rare that I can touch the top of her nose without her catching me. Therefore. I would have to disagree about hitting the dog on the nose. If the dog has got it's mouth clamped down on you, and it is a medium breed, if you feel on a dogs mouth, their is a hing on their jaw. Pressing this should open their jaw. If this doesn't work, you can always curl the dogs lips under his teeth, this will cause the dog to bite himself, and unless he LIKES the pain (which I highly doubt) he will let go.

[gooeydog]

bullygirl29532 napisał(a):

Being i watch alot of animal shows and those ones about if animals attack I'll tell you what i've learned.

Remember to not believe everything you hear/see on tv :wink: . If the dog has you on the ground, you're not going to be able to punch it very hard, not to mention that there are dogs that would feed off of the pain you caused (hence the adrenalin rush they got) and fight back even harder. Also, a person would have a hard time grabbing both sets of gills on a shark, while suffocating themselves since they're under the water. I'm not saying it's impossible, but not really likely. I don't know much about bears, so can't really say anything about that :wink: .

[gooeydog]

[quote name='HazelNutMeg']Well, the Act Like a Log thing was what we were taught in school... perhaps they need to be teaching children a different way? We were taught this in about grade... 4 or 5, then last year in CAPP we were going over it, they asked what to do, we came up with that (between everyone in the class) and he said that was correct.
It might be that they want to show children the simplest technique possible, since in the event of an attack, a child isn't likely to remember all the things they can do to "fight" the dog, and even if they did, they're likely not strong enough to really have any effect on a bear.

If the dog has got it's mouth clamped down on you, and it is a medium breed, if you feel on a dogs mouth, their is a hing on their jaw. Pressing this should open their jaw. If this doesn't work, you can always curl the dogs lips under his teeth, this will cause the dog to bite himself, and unless he LIKES the pain (which I highly doubt) he will let go.

Both these will work on some dogs, but Annie (11 lb "hot dog") couldn't care less if I press on her jaw once she's got ahold of one of her toys. If anything, it makes her clench her jaw even harder. :lol:

[bullygirl29532]

Your right Goo. One should believe everything on tv or anywhere else for that matter i was just trying to contribute. as for the off topic shark thing it doesn't have to be both gills just which ever one you can reach. :wink:

[Guest Anonymous]

My response would depend on several factors. I would first attempt the "avert eyes and slowly back away". If that didn't work and the dog was intent on attacking I would meet it with the necessary force. Nope, I'm not gonna grab for a collar on a dog that wants to bite me, I'm gonna kick it....while I'm yelling "NO" at the top of my lungs. A smallish dog I would probably try to discourage with a light kick in the side. A large dog would get all the force I could muster delivered to it's head. I'm not a small woman and I don't think any dog is gonna shake off any serious kick to the head that I deliver. Nope, I sure don't like the idea of kicking a dog but, I'll be darned if I'm just gonna let a dog bite me.

Yes, I know the head is the end with teeth in it but, my shoes will make my feet the best protected portion of my body. I may get a bite through a shoe but, it should be much less severe than a bite to an area not covered by a shoe.

[deepseasnake]

you got it nancy, I'll beat the hell out of a dog if it thinks its got one over me!

my Mom doesnt like my bear plan either, as a kid in Fairbanks and Anchorage she was always told to play dead.
I dont remember who said it but youve never seen a bear run if you think 30 degrees of hill is gonna flip him. dont forget they have 4 massive points of contact compared to our instable 2 feet wraped in rubber. seriously I dont care what you are doing or where you are you will never get one over on a bear, land sea or air and that goes for ANY bear, hold koala :lol:

and the shark thing, if I stuck a hand into a gill of a 6 gilled shark, hmmm that leaves 5 intake mechanisms
plus I can hold my breath for about 2.50 min and I'm not a fish so I'm gonna bet a fish could at least tripple that time if not multiply exponitialy that time, no Im going for the eyes

[bk_blue]

Ok this may seem like another dumb question, and it's a bit off topic, but are there bears kind of running amok all over the place? Or is it like roos are here, pretty much confined to the outer outer suburbs and the bush? :-? :oops:

[deepseasnake]

well I can only speak for the west coast and Alaska and where the bears havent moved from the far out burbs our burbs have moved into their back yard. In Washington most people who are in a bear area are pretty well trained and acustomed to them it is the cougars and mountain lions that are killing people, kids mostly.

interesting little fact, you are around 130% less likely to be attacked by a bear or cougar if you have a dog with you. in fact dogs are the number 1 suggested defense against bears and big cats. I've heard the barking and ferocity scares the animals off.
Nikki and Oscar went tearing after a black bear last time we took them to Alaska, it kinda freaked me out but the bear took off like a bat outa hell, no prob :D

[bk_blue]

wow- would love to see a bear in real life and not behind a cage, but not, obviously, having it chase me :wink:

[deepseasnake]

they are awsome animals and actually pretty nice to its just that they are so big that even a little peave means certain death!

but I've known 3 guys personaly who had pet grizzly bears and those bears were AWSOME 2 lived in Alaska and one lived here Bears are very smart to.

one of the guys I knew in Alaska named Guy I think the bears name was Kodak. every mourning kodak would get into the back of Guys truck and hop up and down until guy gave him a ride like a chariot around the farm!
What a site that was, a huge 2 ton chevy driving around a 3 ton Brown Bear :o funny and incredible all at the same time :lol:

[gooeydog]

[quote name='deepseasnake']interesting little fact, you are around 130% less likely to be attacked by a bear or cougar if you have a dog with you. in fact dogs are the number 1 suggested defense against bears and big cats. I've heard the barking and ferocity scares the animals off.
If the bear/cougar "pushed the issue" with a meduim/large dog and was injured, they wouldn't be able to hunt properly, and might starve. They have the "survival instinct", and would rather avoid conflict and live to hunt another day than get into a fight and lose their advantage as predators.
About the shark/fish thing, they can breathe with only the gills of one side useable... look at how fishermen put fish on "stringers" (where the clip is passed through the mouth and out the gills on one side, and the fish are kept alive by letting them in the water on the stringer). The fish(es?) can still breathe, because the other gills can draw in enough oxygen. :lol:

[ShadyLady]

Blk gotta say Im pretty happy about the no bears (other than koalas) in Australia god knows weve got enough dangerous critters as it is .My friends brother was attacked by a shark hes got scars from his belly to his toes he was a very lucky bloke .He was out surfing alone and got attacked he poked it in the eyes to get it to let him go , got to shore and drove himself to hospital I saw a heap of photos of the car afterwards and there was blood everywhere :-?

[bk_blue]

True Koolie. I guess it's a case of "grass is greener", I think bears are beautiful creatures but then someone not from Aussie might think koalas are very cute too, of course I think koalas ARE cute but I take them for granted probably, there are lots of them here and of course if you live here you grow up with them. I too have heard horror stories about sharks, snakes, white tails etc. have been lucky enough not to be attacked by any of them and hope it stays that way, I like having all my limbs :wink:

There are types of shark that aren't dangerous to humans aren't there? (this is SO off topic!)

[deepseasnake]

90% off all sharks have never attacked a human in fact I think only 7 species have attacked humans, 'cudas are the scary ones and jelly fish Im much more scared of those than sharks

and sea snakes

[gooeydog]

deepseasnake napisał(a):

jelly fish Im much more scared of those than sharks

We get jellyfish around here in summer if we haven't had enough rain and the water's getting too salty, the water is almost packed with them. The ones that come around here are just sea nettles, but they're still enough to keep us from swimming as much after they start coming in. And there are sand sharks (not sure if that's their real name, but they swim in with the jellyfish) about 5 miles from here, but to my knowledge, no one's ever had a problem with them.