It’s common to see a loose dog or a stray dog while walking or jogging outdoors. You may have experienced getting barked at or chased by a dog while walking in your neighborhood.
Dogs may act aggressively for many reasons, including fear, territoriality, possessiveness, or excitement. It’s important to know how to protect yourself from dogs while walking so that you can avoid getting hurt.
There are a few things you can do.
Table of Contents
- 1. Avoid Houses Where a Dog Lives
- 2. Keep a Safe Distance From Dogs
- 3. Be Respectful of the Dog’s Space
- 4. Carry a Stick or Pepper Spray
- 5. Stay Calm and Don’t Be Panic
- 6. Pay Close Attention to the Emotional State of the Dog
- 7. Start Walking Away Slowly and Don’t Run
- 8. Make Yourself Bigger
- 9. Pretend to Pick a Brick up Off the Ground
- Final Thought
1. Avoid Houses Where a Dog Lives
The best way to avoid getting chased or attacked by a dog is to stay away from houses where dogs live. If you see a house with a “Beware of Dog” sign, it’s best to avoid walking near that house. If you’re not sure if a house has a dog, you can ask the homeowner before walking on their property.
2. Keep a Safe Distance From Dogs
It is recommended to keep a safe distance from the dog. If the dog starts to approach you, stop walking and stand still. Do not try to run away from the dog, as this may trigger their chase instinct.
If the dog starts to bark or growl at you, do not make any sudden movements. Slowly back away from the dog until they are no longer able to see or reach you.
3. Be Respectful of the Dog’s Space
Dogs are territorial creatures, and they will often become aggressive if they feel like their space is being threatened. If you see a dog on a leash, do not approach the dog or try to pet them. Stay away from the dog’s territory, such as their yard or kennel.
4. Carry a Stick or Pepper Spray
If you’re worried about encountering an aggressive dog while walking, you can carry a stick or pepper spray. If a dog approaches you and seems aggressive, you can use the stick to defend yourself or spray the dog with pepper spray.
Pepper spray is a good option because it will temporarily blind and choke the dog, giving you time to get away. You can also carry a stick or baton to hit the dog if necessary.
5. Stay Calm and Don’t Be Panic
Don’t panic and stay calm if a dog approaches you and starts barking. Dogs can sense when you’re afraid, and this may make them more likely to attack. If you remain calm, the dog is more likely to see you as a non-threatening individual and back off.
Avoid making any sudden movements, as this may agitate the dog further. If the dog starts to jump on you or bite you, use your self-defense stick or pepper spray to defend yourself. Once the dog is no longer a threat, slowly back away and put distance between you and the dog.
6. Pay Close Attention to the Emotional State of the Dog
Dogs will often give warning signs before they attack. It’s important to pay attention to the dog’s body language and be aware of its emotional state. If a dog is growling, baring its teeth, or has its hackles raised, this is a sign that they are feeling aggressive and may attack.
7. Start Walking Away Slowly and Don’t Run
You can slowly start walking away if you see an aggressive dog. Do not turn your back on the dog or run away, as this may trigger the dog’s predatory instinct and cause them to chase or attack you.
Instead, keep facing the dog while slowly backing away. If the dog follows you, continue walking away slowly until you are out of the dog’s territory.
8. Make Yourself Bigger
If a dog is approaching you and you don’t have a stick or pepper spray, try to make yourself look as big as possible. This may intimidate the dog and make them think twice about attacking you. Stand up straight, raise your arms above your head, and open your coat if you’re wearing one. If the dog is still approaching, shout in a deep voice, “Go away!” or “No!”
9. Pretend to Pick a Brick up Off the Ground
Another way to make yourself look bigger is to pretend like you’re picking a brick up off the ground. This makes it look like you’re ready to throw something at the dog, which will usually make them back off.
Final Thought
Hope you can protect yourself from dogs while walking and avoid getting hurt. Remember, always use caution when approaching any dog, even if they seem friendly. If you’re ever unsure about a dog’s behavior, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and keep your distance.