Dog likes to attack me, what to do?

KinderScout2019

Dear fellow MSE members,

Dog likes to bark at me and some even try to attack me. This happens always, and they are stranger dogs, never see them before.

It had been several incidents when I nearly attacked by dogs during walking. Everytime if I see untied dogs coming from opposite direction of the path, I will stop and stand aside to let them pass. Still, it had been several incidents where the dogs run towards me and almost jumped and attacked me. The owners were shouting so loudly, but the dogs ignored, keep wanting to attack me.

One time, I was with my friend, I noticed the dog barked and try to attack only me, but not my friend. This made me more curious and worries.

When I was 5-6 years old, I used to be attacked by a few street dogs. No injury though because luckily neighbour saw me and helped me. Since then, I am very cautious when come to dog. Probably it is true that the dog can sense fear.

Anyway, what could I do to fix this?
I used to have a cat when I was a child, I love animal, but I am cautious when come to dog due to that childhood dog attack memory.

Thanks in advance:beer::beer:

elsien

Dogs running towards you and "almost jumped and attacked" you. And "nearly attacked by dogs during walking."
Which actually means they didn't attack you at all.
I understand you are afraid - I lived abroad as a child where the dogs running in packs scared the life out of me. And some (over) friendly dogs will run up to say hello when they have no intention of attacking you. Their owners are reading your body language and calling their dogs away because they can see you are afraid, not because their dogs are about to bite you.
Do you know any friendly dogs which you could learn to be around more comfortably?

On a practical level, carry a water bottle with you. If a dog is jumping up and being silly, a splosh of water in the face usually sends them packing.

KinderScout2019

elsien wrote: »

Dogs running towards you and "almost jumped and attacked" you. And "nearly attacked by dogs during walking."
Which actually means they didn't attack you at all.
I understand you are afraid - I lived abroad as a child where the dogs running in packs scared the life out of me. And some (over) friendly dogs will run up
to say hello when they have no intention of attacking you. Their owners are reading your body language and calling their dogs away because they can see you are afraid, not because their dogs are about to bite you.
Do you know any friendly dogs which you could learn to be around more comfortably?

I am 100% certain they were not over friendly dogs running up to me, the dogs were barking fiercely and I was panic and froze on the ground. The owner was panic too, and shouted so loudly at their dogs. Though the owner said sorry to me, but it won't help if the dog bites me.

I am cautious to dog, but I did not against dog. I am happy to touch the dog if the dog is friendly.

elsien

But it didn't bite you, did it? If a dog is going to attack, it's generally straight in there. Dogs bark for all sorts of reasons. Most owners are responsible and don't have their dogs off lead if they're going to attack people. The owner probably apologised because they could see you were scared/ their dog was jumping around like a lunatic. They shouldn't let a dog behave like that around you, but that really doesn't mean they're going to attack.
I did add an edit to my previous post that you may not have seen about carrying a water bottle if the owner is not able to recall the dog.
I do think though that it would also help if you could learn to be around more well behaved dogs and start to understand their body language. My neighbours are scared of my dog although he's never done anything bad to them, because they are from a culture that is not used to dogs as pets, and their behaviour around him (children screaming when they see him) makes things worse. If someone screams down my ear, I'd jump around and shout - dogs are no different.

KinderScout2019

elsien wrote: »

But it didn't bite you, did it? If a dog is going to attack, it's generally straight in there. Dogs bark for all sorts of reasons. Most owners are responsible and don't have their dogs off lead if they're going to attack people. The owner probably apologised because they could see you were scared/ their dog was jumping around like a lunatic. They shouldn't let a dog behave like that around you, but that really doesn't mean they're going to attack.
I did add an edit to my previous post that you may not have seen about carrying a water bottle if the owner is not able to recall the dog.

I wish you were there when the dogs jumped and attacked. I am certain I was in extreme danger those moments. I was panic and froze, the owner was panic too. The dogs didn't attack because I froze, I didn't know what more to do, I didn't run, didn't respond but stood still. If I spray the dogs with water, probably this would anger the dogs and gave them confirmation to attack me for real.

No offence, but they were extremely scary experiences

Similar incidents happened several times. What is strange is I found the dog just barked on me, not on my friend. I probably did something really wrong, or they can sense my fear. So I am here seeking advice.

elsien

No offence but it a dog is going to attack, you freezing won't make any difference.
You have asked for suggestions. I have given mine. The only other late would seem to be avoiding areas where dogs are running off lead. I'm not sure what else you want to hear.

molerat

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/animals-and-us/201802/why-certain-people-are-more-likely-be-attacked-dog

rawhammered

Stop being weak.

sheramber

If you stop and look at the dog it will see a challenge.

Try crossing your arms over your chest and turn your back- or be a tree Here is how to "Be a Tree":

Stop.
Fold in your branches (hands folded in front).
Watch your roots grow (look at your feet).
Count your breaths in your head until help comes or the dog goes away.

"Trees" are boring to dogs. A dog will just sniff at a child/tree and then go away. No matter what the dog does, it is important for the child to stand still, avoid eye contact (by looking down at his/her feet), and stay quiet.

prowla

Curiously enough, I tend to find that dogs like me - I've been out walking and one ran 100 yds across the park to me, so I gave it a pat and had a bit of a chat with it, and then sent it back to its owner.

hareng

Dogs can sense from 100+ yards, so far i have yet to meet any dog i am afraid of, works both ways.


I do meet the odd person such as yourself, i wont give you a hard time. These people often do as you do and go in to panic mode stating there attacking when in fact they are greeting you wanting attention. If they sense your bad in any way they will not approach or bark off at you. Soon as back home its all over social media dog attacked me.


What i would honestly suggest is next time try not to panic have a word with dogs owner and bring yourself to stroke it. It may go a long way.