Pawsitive Parenting
  • Home
  • Expert Blogs
    • Positive Pet Parenting Journal
    • Raising Pet Positive Kids
    • Supermom ...Kind Of
    • Pawsitively Adventurous Pets
    • Purrely Pawsitive & Barkably Amazing Training Tips
    • Dog Praising
    • Spirit of the Wild Lands and Animals
  • Resources
    • Sounds of Nature
  • Heart 'N Mind Paw Rescue
    • Pet Rescue Journal
  • About / Contact
  • Help Homeless Pets!
Start Your Healing Journey With the Brand Shamans Today!

How to Prevent and Survive an Encounter With an Aggressive Dog

9/8/2016

0 Comments

 
by Tara Bard, Contributing Writer
Aggressive Dog
Whether at the dog park or out for a walk around the neighborhood with your dog, it's likely that you will eventually encounter a dog that shows aggression towards you or your pet. In some situations, the aggression is obvious as soon as you encounter the dog. In other circumstances, dogs appear to suddenly decide they don't get along and a fight begins. I take my Boxer Odin on walks regularly, and we've encountered aggressive dogs in a few situations. This is what I've learned from those encounters.

Recognize Body Language

To prevent encounters with aggressive dogs, you should learn how to recognize signs of aggression. This is really important for me, because Odin always wants to immediately play with another dog, but that other dog doesn't necessarily want to play with him. I have to deliberately pace Odin's greeting and make sure he doesn't get too playful at initial encounter.

During that greeting, I am always aware of the other dog's body language. Before a dog outright growls or snarls, he usually displays cautious movements and offers others a look that seems to say 'stay away.' The dog may also cower near his owner or look scared, which can lead to defensive, fear aggressive behavior.

When we encounter a dog like this, I use the leash to guide Odin back and make him sit by my side. Before allowing Odin to initiate greeting with another dog, I always ask the other dog's owner if that dog is friendly and playful.

Know Your Own Dog

Each dog will react differently towards aggressive animals. Some dogs will lunge at dogs who show aggression; others will become confused. Odin is the latter type of dog. He prefers to defend me, but sometimes he'll look up at me and yelp in confusion if an aggressive dog is near. This happens frequently when the aggressive dog is behind a fence. Because we are not in immediate danger, I take the time to show my dog that I'm the leader, walking confidently past the gated animal. Sometimes Odin will follow my lead and adapt the same demeanor; other times he still freaks out a bit. When this happens, I calmly and assertively tug at his collar until he follows along, eyes ahead instead of looking at the aggressive animal we've passed.

Preventing an Encounter

Sometimes, you will have the opportunity to avoid an aggressive dog. If this is the case, take the opportunity. There is no reason you should risk the safety of yourself, your dog, or the other dog. In our old neighborhood, there lived two aggressive dogs. When walking Odin, I simply turned around or walked on the other side of the street to avoid provoking the aggressive dogs. This also reinforced the fact that I was the leader and in charge of the walk, and after switching things up a few times, I noticed Odin more easily adapted my calm attitude and seemed to trust my judgment more on walks.

Protect Yourself

In the event of an aggressive dog attack, protect yourself first. Call 9-1-1, try to remain calm, and do not turn your back on the aggressive dog. Avoid making eye contact with the attacking dog and do not show it your teeth - that includes smiling. Avoid yelling at the dog or punching back. If taken to the ground, curl up, ball your fists, and use your arms to cover your head until help arrives.

Unfortunately, not all aggressive dog encounters are preventable. We used to live next door to a family that owned an aggressive dog. While we had a fence between our yards, their dog would still bark and snarl. To avoid fights and to keep the noise level down for our other neighbors, we would arrange a schedule with the neighbors to ensure that neither dog was out in the fenced-in yard while the other was present.

If you ever encounter an unleashed dog (aggressive or not), you should contact your local animal control center to prevent injury to people and animals. You can also access immediate assistance through your local police department.

This article was originally published on the Yahoo Contributor Network.


Content Manifested by Write W.A.V.E. Media and Brand Shamans.
Position your brand for success with our custom brand healing and content services!

We also do personal & business readings (tarot, oracle, crystals, and more)!
Get YOUR personalized healing reading today!

For exposure on an established targeted network with great DA,
check out our sponsored content, guest posts, and reviews.


Hire an Expert Brand Shaman for Your Content & Branding Needs






0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Picture
    Click on us to help raise funds for homeless pets. Every purchase counts!

    ALL STAFF

    Lyn Lomasi Rowell
    Richard Rowell
    Rayne  Desertsong
    Phoenix  Desertsong

    April Paul
    Picture

    Gift Cards

    Shop

    Hire an Expert

    Shop

    Brand Healing

    Shop

    Natural Healing Gemstone Jewelry & Talismans

    Shop

    Healing Readings (Tarot, Oracle, Crystals, & More)

    Shop

    Jewelry

    Shop

    Handcrafted Parenting & Kids Gifts

    Shop

    Books

    Shop

    Hobbies & Collecting (Trading Cards, Games, Vintage, etc)

    Shop

    Handcrafted Home & Decor

    Shop

    Pets (Handcrafted Pet Toys & Gifts)

    Shop

    Clearance SALE!!!

    Shop

    OWNERS

    Picture
    Lyn Lomasi & Richard Rowell  are life & business partners. Owners of Brand Shamans & the Write W.A.V.E. Media network, we are your brand healing, soul healing, & content superheroes to the rescue!

    Running our network of websites, tackling deadlines single-handedly, and coaching fellow writers, brands, & entrepreneurs to be thought leaders is our top priority.

    While rescuing civilians from boring content and brands, we conquer the world, living the RV life and managing our Intent-sive Nature with our awesomely crazy family while recounting The Nova Skye Story, along with Kymani’s Travels.

    We also strive to one day cuddle with lions and giraffes. Until then, we’ll settle for furry rescue kitties and doggies.

    We support many causes via our business ventures, such as homelessness, support for trans youth, equality, helping starving artists, and more! A portion of all proceeds from Intent-sive Nature goes toward helping homeless pets in local shelters.



    Archives

    October 2018
    October 2016
    September 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    November 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    November 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012

    Categories

    All
    Allergies In Dogs
    Animals Teaching Humans
    Anole
    Anole Care
    April Paul
    Behavior
    Bonding With Pets
    Care Guides
    Cats
    Charlene Little
    Cheek Puffing
    Chihuahuas
    Cold Weather
    Declawing
    Dental Care For Pets
    Depression In Dogs
    Dog Allergies
    Dog Behavior
    Dog Care
    Dog Carrier
    Dog Depression
    Dog Exercise
    Dog Food
    Dog Grooming
    Dog Personalities
    Dog Rescue
    Dogs
    Dog Treats
    Elise Morgan
    Fear In Dogs
    Front Carrier
    German Shepherds
    Hamsters
    Health
    Huffing
    Humans
    Lisa Mason
    Lizards
    Long Hair Dogs
    Lyn Lomasi
    Medical Procedures
    Nylabone
    Organic
    Organics Shoppe
    Pet Care
    Pet Carrier
    Pet Carrier Bonding
    Pet Recalls
    Pets
    Product Recalls
    Puffing
    Puppies
    Recalls
    Shih Tzu Dogs
    Short Hair Dogs
    Should You Declaw Your Cat
    Small Dogs
    Stacey Carroll
    Tara Clapper
    Toys
    Treats
    Warnings
    Winter

    PetFancy.com
Home
About/Contact

Disclosure, TOU, Disclaimer, & Privacy Policy
© 2005 - 2018 Write W.A.V.E. Media
Photos used under Creative Commons from Rennett Stowe, GalgenTX, Theodore Scott