Free SEAL Survival Guide by Cade Courtley Page B

if any of the following dogs, regardless of the dog’s individual temperament, are known to be on the property: Akitas, Alaskan malamutes, bulldogs, mastiffs, chows, Dobermans, German shepherds, huskies, presa canarios, Rottweilers, and Staffordshire terriers, better known as pit bulls.
    In 2010, there were thirty-four fatal dog attacks in the U.S. More than 350,000 dog-bite victims are seen in emergency rooms every year. Approximately 800,000 victims annually receive some form of medical attention related to dog bites.
    DOGS AND CHILDREN
    Someone is bitten by a dog every seventy-five seconds. And more than 80 percent of the time, it’s a child that gets attacked. Due to our familiarity with and love of dogs, many forget that dogs originated from a species of wolves, most likely the small East Asian wolf, about ten thousand years ago. Unlike wild animals that usually try to avoid encounters with humans, dogs have long since lost their fear of people. Yet, regardless of centuries of domestication, dogs are still guided by their genetically ingrained survival instincts. They follow a dominant leader and remain territorial, loyally devoted to the pack. Nearly all canine species, including dogs, abide by a pack rule of hierarchy and dominance. Children are rarely considered leaders to be feared or followed, primarily since they are comparatively smaller than adults and often the same size as many of the aggressive dog breeds. When we consider dogs not as pets but as potential threats to our lives and the lives of our children, it must be remembered that any breed of dog can be potentially unpredictable. The habits and peculiarities of dogs, or of any hazardous animal, should be sized up the way we would do for any adversary, to be used as an advantage during a survival scenario.
    STAND YOUR GROUND OR RUN?
    I advise you not to run from a dog, but as with all survival scenarios, there are exceptions. If, for example, you see two guard dogs racing toward you at full speed, none of the tactics below will be effective. Dogs can’t climb. So if you have the time to get to high ground, like up into a tree, on top of a Dumpster, or over a fence, do it. That one extra push-up you did and the effort you made to expand your comfort zone can turn a dangerous dog encounter into nothing more than a close call.
    HOW TO AVOID A DOG ATTACK
    First off, never purposely aggravate or tease a dog. Also note that dogs that are regularly chained and confined are usually more aggressive and should be avoided. It’s unwise to assume that only certain breeds are dangerous. Just about any dog can cause injury.
    1. When approached by a potentially dangerous dog, don’t look it in the eye, because it may consider this a threat to its hierarchical status. In addition, do not smile, since the dog only sees your teeth and could consider this a threat. Generally, you don’t want to overreact to the dog and let it think you are fearful, nor do you want to seem threatening from the start.
    2. Observe the animal’s body language. A growl or bared teeth is obviously a sign of aggression. But a more subtle thing to observe is the position of the dog’s head. If a dog has its head held high or low, it is not usually in an aggressive mode. If the head is even with its body, then it is preparing to attack or fight.
    3. Be alert so you can react quickly if events change. At first, stand firm, remain calm, and do not move suddenly. Do not run, as this will activate the dog’s prey-chasing instinct. It is best to turn sideways so that you are not directly facingthe dog. This will display that you are nonthreatening; still, watch intently with a peripheral view.
    4. If the dog is still approaching, loud commands, such as “Down! Stay!” could make it pause. But don’t point your finger or expose your hands.
    5. You must control your fear. At this point, you are assuming a nonthreatening posture to avoid an unwanted fight.
    6. Gradually back away from the