How To Avoid A Bite From An Aggressive Dog

by John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- In the event you encounter a threatening dog or dogs, the first thing to do is try to stay calm.

"Keep breathing and moving calmly. Try speaking calmly. See if the dog will obey a cue such as 'sit.' Very often a sit command or a sit cue will cut through the haze and a dog could respond to it," said Laura Garber, an animal behavior specialist for the Pennsylvania SPCA.

She says some times when humans are afraid, they respond in a way that agitate or arouse a dog.

"Such as yelling, or running away, or flailing their arms," are some examples she gave.

Garber says try to back away to safety and, if necessary, feed them something close to your reach.

"Like a book bag or an article of clothing to hold him away from you. The first thing he is going to bite is whatever he reaches first," Garber said.

She says dog owners have the responsibility to keep their pets secured on a leash or inside a fenced yard at all times.