10 tips for dealing with stray dogs and avoiding injuries..

 10 tips for dealing with stray dogs and avoiding injuries..

Many of us find it difficult to deal with stray dogs, and overcome the feeling of fear of them, so Dr. Sally Al-Fiqi, a veterinarian, explains how to deal with stray dogs, noting that it is preferable not to look at dogs directly in the dog’s eyes, because that is considered more provocation. 

It makes the animal more ferocious, in addition to trying not to show fear, as dogs have a strong sense of smell that is capable of feeling fear, so try to control yourself.

Sally pointed out that the dog often tries to protect his property, so do not encroach on the dogs’ place or try to play with him, and remember that the human can control the dog. If it is trained, issuing commands such as sit or do not move influences it and makes it remain in its place calmly. 

In addition, if you see a dog and feel afraid of it, control your nerves and move calmly away from it, keeping it within your sight, as this will calm it down. If a dog attacks you, try to apply the following if the dog has assumed a ready position and has already begun to attack you:

1-Do not run, because running will trigger the dog's chasing instinct, and the pain will be greater

 2- Do not try to give your back to the dog, because that will arouse its ferocity more.

 3- As for how to deal if the dog gets hold of you: 

- Press the tip of your tongue, as pain reduces the secretion of the fear hormone, and thus reduces the dog’s ferocity. 

- Place any barrier between you and the dog, such as a bag, a book, or anything you can reach. Try to control the dog's mouth by pressing from bottom to top to avoid biting. 

- Although this is difficult, in the event of a bite, do not resist, because this will increase the ferocity and depth of the wounds that the dog will cause you.

- Try to scream for help, so that you can get help from others, 

but if the dog starts attacking you, it is important not to scream, because the dog will most likely interpret this as the sound of your challenge to him, and will increase the intensity of his attack on you, because he is also afraid of the consequences of your voice. 

- Do not try to kick the dog or hit him in any other way. Firstly, he will not feel pain, because during the attack he secretes a hormone called “endorphins” whose task is to numb his physical and mental feelings as well. Secondly, he interprets this as a source of greater danger than he thought. 

The intensity of his attack on you increases, and a number of experts say that what they recommend instead is for the person to curl up, stick his chin to his chest, and remain motionless.

- Dogs focus their attacks on the face and neck, where the throat and upper shoulders are. Protect these places as much as you can. Therefore, as soon as you fall, hug your knees to your head and cover your ears with your hands, or in other words, take the fetal position, and do not scream at all or try to move so as not to provoke the dog further. And make him attack you

 - If you can, use something like a stick or wrap your forearm with a heavy cloth, and push either of them between the dog's jaws as far as possible, because this disrupts their closure.

 - If the dog bites your forearm tightly, for example, there is no point in trying to spread his jaws apart because they become as strong as steel. Instead, block his nostrils, preventing him from breathing through his nose, and he is forced to open his mouth in order to get oxygen. 

- If the dog attacks another person, for example a child, do not try to snatch it from him, because this will increase the severity of the attack on him. Instead, approach quietly (not suddenly) and throw a shirt, jacket, or rag on the dog’s head. This will confuse him, even temporarily, and then do not take the child in your arms, but rather put him behind you, so that you are between him and the dog, and retreat with him as calmly as possible.