Animal behaviorist Leighton Oosthuisen of Partners Dog Training has provided the following as a public service guide into what may indicate a risk in a dog.  This guide is by no means exhaustive and other factors may be in play. Use extreme caution when dealing with aggression or you WILL be injured.
Consult Partners Dog Training (480 595 6700) if you have any questions.

A word about Pack Attacks!

• These types of attacks account for almost all the fatalities in dog attacks.
• Seek immediate attention from 911, and use maximum force to subdue any such threat.
• Dogs running wild revert to a Predatory behavior which is completely in contrast to domesticated behavior in pets.
• Avoid packs of dogs at all times, as their behavior is completely unpredictable.
• Use extreme caution if you are approached by a pack of dogs
• DO NOT RUN AWAY
• DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT
• DO NOT MAKE THREATENING GESTURES
• Quietly and purposefully move away, preferably to higher ground.
• Seek safety of at all possible

What is a Pack?

• A pack is two or more dogs, of any breed
• Many breeds can become PACK motivated
• Most likely breeds are Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, Bulldogs
• A pack can be compared to a GANG
• Pack attacks are LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS
• Pack attacks are generally directed at the elderly or children

What should you do?

• Contact 911 immediately
• If possible, avoid contact and find safety
• Climb up or on top of something
• Jump in a pool or water
• Create a diversion
• Use Toys, Sticks, Food to distract attention
• Yelling and screaming ESCALATES pack drive and INCREASES danger
• But yelling does attract attention and thus help
• Use water, a vehicle or any deadly weapon
• If possible, submerge the dog (and you or the victim) in water
• Dogs will generally release when they cannot breath
• If assisting someone being attacked, use MAXIMUM FORCE.
• The belly is a dogs weakest point
• Choke the dog into subconscious.
• Be patient, it may take a minute or so
• This is not the time for a gentle approach
• The more overwhelming the force you use the more likely you are to survive
• With certain breeds you are likely to die, so keep fighting
• Lying still or acting a victim does NOT stop PACK instinct
• Lying still only works when dealing with PREY or DEFENSIVE drive

Remember

• Most dog bites are flesh wounds and thus not immediately life threatening
• Head and neck injuries are however, so:
• Protect your head and neck, even if it means your arms are being bitten
• If possible, wrap a coat or jacket around your arm, and let the dog bite that
• When the fight is over, blood loss and shock are the highest risk
• Get help fast, as you will probably pass out from shock
• Immobilize the injury and stay calm
• Get to a place of safety, as the animal could return

Warning

• Avoid trying to break up pack situations unless absolutely necessary
• Aggression involving dominance or pack drive can be life threatening

Author:
Leighton Oosthuisen
March 5, 2009
Leighton@PartnersDogTraining.com
www.PartnersDogTraining.com
Office 480 595 6700
4640 E Forest Pleasant Place
Cave Creek AZ 85331
United States of America