If a dog runs at you and your dog, stay calm, avoid eye contact, and don't panic; create distance by calmly walking away or finding a barrier, don't pick up your dog (unless to put them safely out of reach), and if an attack happens, use loud noises to distract or physically intervene only as a last resort, placing yourself between the dogs if you must, then report the incident.
If another dog shows signs of aggression towards your dog, the best thing you can do is walk away calmly but quickly. Don't get too close, but try to put a visual barrier like a gate, fence or car in between your dog and the other dog.
If the attack happened outside local council hours, you may call your local police station. Police officers are also authorised officers under the Companion Animals Act 1998. Authorised officers have a wide range of powers to deal with owners of attacking dogs, including seizing dogs that have attacked.
Don't make sudden movements or run, just walk slowly away from the dog – they're not likely to pursue you very far. Keep walking and talking up to the point at which the dog loses interest in you. If you must get past the dog, try to circle round, keeping at least the original distance between you.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
It can be just milliseconds between a warning and a bite, but dogs rarely bite without giving some type of warning beforehand.
The "3-second rule" for dogs has two main meanings: for greetings, it's a short, sniff-and-separate technique (sniff for 3 seconds, then walk away) to keep initial meetings positive, preventing over-arousal or conflict, and for training, it's the maximum time (3 seconds) to give a dog to respond to a command before repeating it or redirecting, ensuring they connect the action to the consequence. It's also used with petting to give dogs choice: pet for 3 seconds, pause, and see if they solicit more attention.
The “One Bite” or “One Free Bite” rule describes the ruling in states in Australia where the owner is only held liable for an animal attack if they knew or should reasonably have known prior to the attack that the animal would potentially act dangerously or harmfully.
A deterrent can be anything from a dog treat to a spray and is easily carried on the body. Some deterrents include: Whistle with a sharp note or ultrasonic: Dogs have sensitive hearing and a whistle with a sharp or ultrasonic tone can be effective in shutting down a dog that's engaging in aggressive behavior.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
Cobbing in dogs is a gentle nibbling behavior, often with the front teeth, resembling a human eating corn off a cob; it's usually a sign of affection, grooming, or a way to get attention, stemming from puppyhood bonding, but can also signal boredom or anxiety if excessive, and is generally harmless unless it becomes intense or painful.
Instead: If your dog is leashed when attacked, use the leash to attempt to pull them away from the encounter, ensuring you stay at a distance from the dogs. If this isn't possible, you can use water from a water bottle or hose to startle the dogs and break them apart.
How Can You Spot the Alpha Dog
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
The best thing you can do to get a dog to release its bite (edit: assuming it is biting something other than you) is to grab both its back legs and lift them into the air. This should be a significant lift, above the level of the dogs head, which forces it to balance on its front legs.
Bad Smells to Steer Clear From
Your pooch will hate the smell of mothballs, alcohol, cleaning products and nail polish!
Eaten from at least 7 different containers • Been held and petted by at least 7 different people • Taken at least 7 one-mile car rides • Been in a crate at least 7 times • Played with at least 7 different kinds of toys • Walked on at least 7 different substrates (grass, gravel, concrete, etc.)
The 10 minute rule means that for every hour of playtime, dogs should have a 10-minute break. This break helps them cool down and rest. In a dog boarding setting, this rule is crucial. Dogs have different energy levels, and some may get tired faster than others.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
One of the common ways your dog will try to say sorry is by making “puppy eyes” or tucking its tail between its legs. Avoiding eye contact and lowering their ears are also common ways for dogs to apologize. They also watch for your reaction.
To show your dog you're the leader, provide calm, consistent structure through training, clear rules (like waiting before going through doors or eating), and leading on walks (dog beside or behind you). It's about confidence, not aggression, ensuring your dog feels secure in a balanced environment where you control resources and activities, not by overpowering them but by offering reliable guidance.
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