How to behave around aggressive dogs?

To behave around aggressive dogs, it’s essential to distinguish between aggression and behaviors that look like aggression. Alleviate fear aggression by slowly socializing your dog, which will help them understand that other dogs, pets, and humans don’t always mean harm. If the fear is related to an inanimate object, continue use, and over time your dog will understand there is no threat. To lessen your dog’s territorial reaction, reward calm behavior when visitors come to your home and enroll them in obedience training. Obedience training will help them react to your command when telling them to stay calm. The only effective way to stop predatory aggression is avoidance of the environment causing the behavior. Intra-household aggression can be alleviated by separating your dogs and slowly re-socializing them until their interactions are calm. To manage resource guarding aggression, simply pick up your dog's toys, food bowls, and other possessions when your dog is not using them.

Stop moving. The last thing you want to do is run away. This will only trigger the dog’s instinct to chase you. Keep arms loose at sides. Don’t flail your arms about. Speak in calm tones. You could try speaking calmly, yet firmly to the dog. Telling it “go home,” or “nice dog,” may help. Use the dog’s name, if you know it. Above all, avoid sudden movement. Think of slowing down and communicating through your body that you aren’t a threat. Don’t touch or pet the dog in an attempt to befriend it. And whatever you do, don’t look it in the eye as the dog may interpret that as a challenge. Keep your body’s side positioned towards the dog versus facing it front on or standing behind it. If you are lucky enough to have some dog treats with you, throw them at the dog to distract him. You might try picking up a stick or other nearby object and throw it far away. In some cases, the dog may go after the object and leave you alone. Once you’ve averted the situation, back away slowly from the dog. But, do not turn your back. It’s essential that you remain aware where the dog is at all times, as they can approach very fast. Only turn your back and walk away when you are at a safe distance from the dog. If a bite or attack is unavoidable, there are a few body postures that could save your life. Make fists. Keeping your hands in fists will protect fingers from being bitten off. Get vertical. Look for any object or structure nearby that’s chest-high to put distance between you and the dog. Cover your head and neck. If you’re unable to get off the ground, curl in a ball and protect your head and neck with your arms. As difficult as it may be in the moment, do all you can to remain calm and still. Pulling away or fighting back may escalate the dog’s aggression.