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It's a lovely day outside, perfect weather for your weekly hike with friends. 
You're familiar with  hiking's basic do's and don'ts. But, as with everything  else, surprises are bound to occur.
Out of nowhere, a fully grown  feral dog leaps on to the path. Behind a nasty set of razor-sharp teeth, the beast has its narrowed eyes locked in on you and your  friends. 
What to do
Rosalind Cheung,  founder and  director  of HK Dog Training,   says your first objective is to look as non-threatening as possible. Stay calm while avoiding eye contact. 
Dogs are  protective of their territory and become aggressive when they  sense a threat. Under no circumstance should you  run. Dogs instinctively chase when they  see a person running. 
Stand sideways towards the dog. Slowly fold your arms or place them to your side - clench your fists to protect your fingers in case of an attack. This will make yourself appear smaller and thus less of a threat. Avoid any sudden or jerky movements, which may be  seen as acts of aggression.
Cheung  recommends holding your position. The dog may approach you, sniff around and bark aggressively without actually biting.  Most of the time, dogs will lose interest and leave. When the dog wanders off, slowly  walk away to a safe area.
If  you cannot walk away, use  an umbrella or stick, a bicycle or backpack   to create a barrier between you and the animal. If it has latched onto you, try throwing a jacket or shirt over its head while striking it on the back of its neck or another sensitive area like the nose. 
You should not try  to pull away. This will only tear the skin and cause a more severe wound. If you are bitten,  go to a hospital. Wild dogs carry rabies. Immediate medical treatment is essential.
Steps to deal with an aggressive dog
 1 Do not run
 2 Stay calm. Avoid eye contact
 3 Make yourself appear non-threatening
 4 Stand sideways, fold your arms  or place  them at your side,  your hands clenched into fists
 5 If you can, create a barrier between you and the dog.
 6 Slowly walk away once the dog wanders off
 7 If bitten, try  to strike the dog in a sensitive area to make it let go
 8 Visit a doctor or call 999
HK Dog Training provides training and behaviour consultation for dog owners. For more information, visit www.hkdogtraining.com or call 9184 5606



When a dog attacks