Traveler's Guide on Dealing with Stray Dogs

Stray dogs are pretty common all over the world. Chances are, you might have come face to face with a stray or two for at least a couple of instances. 99% of the time, strays avoid conflict with humans, although a dog can behave confrontationally from time to time, which may lead to a frightening encounter if you are not acquainted with the dog's actions.

These encounters are a pretty standard experience for everyone, especially to travelers, specifically backpackers.

Though it is a natural response to be afraid of strays, as they are the most common source of rabid rabis related incidents, they should still be treated humanely.

Violence should never be the course of action when facing stray dogs. Because, in reality, chances are they are actually pretty harmless, at least most of the time.

Here are 5 non-violent methods of dealing with stray dogs:

Stay Calm

This is the easiest, most important thing that should be noted. If a stray dog is barking at you from a safe distance, it's most definitely warning you to get off its territory. At the edge of its domain, it will stand and bark to inform you against approaching it. You should have no trouble, as long as you stay quiet and step away from the canine.

Do not ever run away like you just faced the world's most wanted serial killer. Always stay calm.

Dogs are sure to give chase naturally, and there's no chance you can outrun them in a quick sprint. This is why you see dogs chasing cars, motorbikes, and cyclists. If it caught you and knocked you down. It is also possible that, during the chase, dogs who are going after you will knock you over by biting your legs to make you stop.

Communicate Calmly

Humans domesticated dogs, and we have trained canines over our 15,000-year relationship to be polite and willing friends, as well as able to perceive our emotions.

There are simple ways that you can reassure a dog that you have a peaceful intention. You're showing the dog by doing this that you mean it no harm, and you're going to stop increasing its hostility. Bear in mind that the majority of solitary dogs either distrusts or are afraid of humans. They are likely to back off by telling them in their own words that you're not here to assault them.

Do Not Go On The Aggressive

If you ever see stray dogs wandering around, do not immediately go on the aggressive. This goes just like with humans; there's always a chance that aggression begets aggression as much as violence begets violence.

The goal here is not to show that you are more powerful than any stray dogs but to get away unscathed.

Unless the dogs/s start to get violent first, never crouch to pick up whatever possible weapon lying around. Doing so might give off negative signals to the dogs and trigger their feral instinct and attack you.

Avoid Confrontation (especially when they are in packs)

While you can still win your way through a single dog encounter, dog packs are almost immediately bad news.

Dogs, like many social animals, function best when they are with their pack.

When they have their friends around, the dogs' confidence is multiplied, and they know pretty well how to coordinate to take down a threat. What's more, by barking, dog packs don't often signal their hostile intent; I've seen dogs silently flanking a potential threat without a sound in the pack.

When the pack is just lying around being lazy or being really friendly, your chances of being mauled is pretty slim. But trust your instincts; even though no one is barking, if a pack sounds dangerous, don't risk it. And even if it's a long one, step away and try another way through.

Get Local Assitance

When dealing with stray dogs, locals are a great help. In fact, as long as the locals are nearby, you're unlikely to have any real trouble. The dogs will know them, and people are going to understand how to handle the nearby strays.

Dogs, even strays, are pretty tame animals. It would be best to learn how to handle them properly rather than immediately resort to violence.

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