When a dog attacks

THOUGH instances of animals harming humans are nowhere as frequent as the other way around, they make the news and we react in many ways, including by killing the animals.
Common pets like dogs tend to be involved in incidents with humans. When dogs strike, the injuries caused can be extensive. So it’s essential to know more about these animals and their attack habits.

Dogs generally attack when they feel threatened or that their territory has been encroached upon. They may attack or at least threaten to when you enter their territory, go close to them when they are eating, take something away from them or force them into a corner.

Do not pat an unfamiliar dog on the head; it’s better to touch or tickle them under the chin.
The reason is that the latter approach is submissive while the former is dominant (when you’re over their head). Dogs evolved from grey wolves and have a pack mentality. Normally the owner is seen as the leader of the pack, and others might be regarded as lower down the rank. So act accordingly.

When you are threatened by a dog, it could be either of two types of aggression – dominant or fright.

Dominant aggression is more dangerous – the dog is snarling, showing its teeth, ears and tail straight up. Fright aggression is when the animal is aggressive with the tail in between the legs and ears back.

In the first situation, act submissive by never looking the dog in the eye and don’t challenge it.
In the second scene, you need not show fear but avoid eye contact. In both situations move away very slowly. Never run – the dog is faster, and it will enjoy the short chase and subsequent take-down. The same rules apply to kids.

If you fall to the ground or are knocked down, curl into a ball, placing your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face. If you’re confident enough to fight back, a strong punch or kick to the most sensitive area – the muzzle.

Kids, often taught the risks of traffic and roads, are usually not trained on how to handle dogs. Adult dogs should not be left alone with children – they need to be supervised at all times. Canines do not like being mistreated by children, seeing them as the lowest rank in the pack. They may tolerate it, but they don’t enjoy it and may attack.

Kids also tend to provoke dogs, whether unintentionally or by taunting them. Teach your kids never to taunt dogs behind a gate – one day the gate could be open and the animal will get its revenge.

One shouldn’t assume a mutt won’t bite just because its owner says so; the owner is the boss but everybody else isn’t.

To avoid unnecessary attacks, it is essential for us to get the right dog with the right temperament, especially if it’s a large breed. There’s no point going for a large dog if you aren’t capable of handling it. For example, it would be pointless for a lone female to get a Rottweiler if it’s too strong for her to control.

In the US, in a review of 227 fatal dog attacks, more than two-thirds involved a single dog, and more than 50% involved dogs that were unrestrained on their owner’s property.

The purpose people keep dogs also has to be examined. Dogs in residences are meant to be pets first and foremost. Their guard role comes second. Even then, their role is to warn their masters, not attack and injure humans.

Many inexperienced people obtain dogs but do not interact well with them. Instead of treating them as pets, these animals are seen as a security apparatus and treated that way. This can lead to problems as it could cause unpredictable behaviour. For example, some dogs are not exercised, are tied-up often, maybe even caged and mistreated. Rottweilers, for instance, respond best to kind, firm handling – not being chained in a yard. Dogs can also succumb to heat stress easily.

Owners create problems by not socialising everyday with their dogs.

Dogs are social creatures and need a leader of the ‘pack’. They desire attention. Dogs go through a childhood just like kids, and during that time socialising is very important for how they behave later on. Kind treatment of the animal, consistent obedience training and plenty of exercise will result in a well-adjusted pet.

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