Advice on avoiding dog attacks

threatened or curious and find themselves in a new situation that can cause aggression or fear/nervous aggression. As dogs cannot speak it is often hard to know what can trigger an attack. Sometimes it’s a smell, a type of mannerism or an outfit that is confusing.

Owners are required in most towns and cities to keep their dogs under control. This means fenced into a secure yard. This is the only way to ensure people passing your yard are safe.

“Many dogs are encouraged to bark at people on the other side of the fence for protection purposes and this can cause them to be fearful of people on the other side of the fence. However, it leads to good guard dogs. As soon as your dog leaves your property not under your direct control anything can happen.

“It doesn’t matter how well-trained the dog is, it is still a dog and they should always be considered unpredictable especially in new situations.”

Andrew Kirk, who is a dog trainer, instructor and director of a security company, said: “The majority of dogs are gregarious to humans, as this was part of their evolution in a symbiotic relationship with man from about 20,000 years bce.

“Unfortunately, people have selfishly bred dogs with blatant disregard for their genetic wellbeing, but rather for their desire for appearance or to have a vicious dog for protection.

“This is extremely dangerous, as the breeds become unpredictable or develop inherent physical deformities.

“We have seen this with rottweilers, dobermans, German shepherds, staffies, and pitbulls. For a dog to leave its safe zone to go and attack a passerby, there is probably a behavioural disorder due to lack of stimulation and no training. Dog bites happen for a reason.”

Kirk teaches security industry professionals how to understand dogs’ behavior. He shares these tips:

Avoiding a dog attack

Don’t reach over or through a fence to a dog.

Before entering a property, look out for a dog or signs of one such as a kennel, running tracks or dog mess.

Call out before entering a property to check if a dog is there.

Ask the dog’s owner to introduce you to the dog safely when you are entering a new property territorial aggression becomes worse if you have not greeted the dog.

Don’t sneak up behind a dog if it is sleeping or hasn’t noticed you.

Never startle or act unexpectedly around a dog, especially one you don’t know.

If a dog is unattended, leave it alone. Pat dogs under the chin and on the chest this is a non-threatening area.

Avoid patting dogs you don’t know on the head.

Do not interrupt a dog that is eating.

Dealing with aggressive dogs

Don’t try and scare or threaten the dog away it could make things worse. Be as non-threatening as possible. Don’t turn away from the dog. Don’t run away.

Stay standing, but try to relax your posture turn slightly sideways so you are not facing the dog full on.

Do not stare at the dog this is very threatening. Look off to the side or glimpse at the dog briefly.

Withdraw slightly in stages without turning away.

If you need to talk, speak in highpitched, friendly tones.

Call out for help to other people around, especially if the dog’s owner is nearby. But try not to sound scared speak calmly in a friendly tone.

Retreat slowly into a car or building if possible.

If you have food with you, throw it in front of the dog, away from you, to distract it.

If you can find something to put between you and the dog easily, grab it and hold it low such as a stick, bag or chair. Don’t brandish it, just use it to hold between you and the dog if it lunges at you.