Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Injury If Attacked by a Dog

Getting bit by a dog can cause serious health problems and lead to infections that can spread throughout the body. A lot of people are scared of getting too close to a dog because of the fact they could possibly be bitten which can develop into serious health consequences. People often do not know the right way to fight off a dog to avoid getting bit and this can lead to the dog thinking you are his prey. Encountering an aggressive dog often means you will need to know what to do in case the dog charges and attacks you. Dog bites are a common cause for people going to the emergency room, especially children who might not know how to protect themselves. If you want to protect yourself from getting bit by a dog, there are some things you can do. Using some of these methods will decrease the chances of you getting bit by a dog if it tries to attack you.

If you see a dog coming towards you and you want to avoid getting bit, try to put an object between you and the dog. If you have a jacket or sweater you can try pushing the jacket towards the dog so the dog can focus on that instead of your skin. The jacket or sweater can help provide distance between you and the dog, so if the dog tries to bite at something it will not be your hand. You can also use a purse, stick, backpack or any other item you might have on you to create a distance between yourself and the dog.

If you are attacked by a dog, it is also a good idea not to run away or turn with your back toward the dog. If you encounter a dog and it begins to attack you or run towards you, back away very slowly. Do not turn around and run away because this will cause the dog to think you are the prey and it should chase you which will lead to worse injuries. Look at the dog intently and back away slowly with your front still facing the dog. You do not want the dog to know you are scared, even if you are shaking in your skin. Stand firm and aggressive so the dog knows you will not back down and then move slowly backward toward a safe place.

If you are attacked by a dog and knocked down to the ground, curl up in a ball similar to the fetal position. Cover your head and face with your hands, making sure to protect your ears with your forearms. The lips, nose, mouth and ears are all vulnerable places for a dog bite because these are the areas a dog will go for first. Make sure you do not move when you are curled up, be completely still and act like you are dead. Screaming or making frantic gestures with your hands or feet will only make the dog more determined to bite you. Your head and face are the two places on your body you want to make sure you protect with your hands because they are very sensitive and getting bit can cause serious injury to those places.

If you are someone who works in an environment where a dog attack is likely, pepper spray and whistles are a great thing to have on you. Pepper spray is often used around the face of the dog and it will prevent the dog from attacking you any further than it already has. Pepper spray could damage the eyesight of the dog so it is not always the best product you can use. They have whistles and other products on the market to help stop a dog from attacking you by producing a large sound that is not physically harmful to the dog. The sound will make the dog run away and stop attacking you all together, this product is great to have with you at all times.

The main thing to remember if you are being attacked by a dog is to prevent further injury by covering your face and head if you are on the ground. Using products you might be carrying with you could also be used to distract the dog so you can get away to a safe place. If you get bitten by a dog then you should go to the emergency room immediately just in case the dog had a disease that could be passed onto you. You want to make sure you get vaccinations to protect you from the diseases that the dog could possible have, so always seek medical help after a dog bite. Never think you can treat a dog bite at home because you do not have the proper medications and treatment to keep yourself from catching a disease. Most importantly, if you are attacked by a dog the main thing to do is stay calm and never let the dog have your back.