Dogs are adorable animals and they are generally playful. But some dogs are aggressive and violent so you have to be alert. They say that if a dog wags its tail you’ll know you have a friendly dog. But what do you do when it’s barking at you? Don’t run away just yet, because you are sure to get chased or worse, bitten. Know what to do in a crisis like this.

Keep away from a growling dog. Spot a dog at a distance and see if you are safe enough to walk in another direction. If it’s too late to do that and suddenly you find yourself facing a growling dog showing you all its teeth, remember this: don’t run and don’t scream. Doing so will agitate them and will make them more aggresssive towards you. Keep your hands to your sides and stay very still. Avoid looking directly at the dog’s eyes and try to walk away very slowly. If the dog makes advances showing that he doesn’t like you moving away, wait for someone or something that’ll distract the dog’s attention from you. Hopefully the owner will come and take his dog away.

You bored the dog. When the dog loses interest in you, walk away slowly until you are out of its sight. Remember the street where you had that encounter, and next time take an alternative route.

The dog attacks. If for some bad luck you chance upon a dog who is ready to attack, remember to use your purse or jacket as protection. Push him away as hard as you can while avoiding being bitten in the arms.

Surrender. If you get knocked to the ground by the sudden attack, curl yourself up into a ball and put your hands over your ears. Remain very motionless and don’t scream or do things that will only agitate the already angry dog.