Protecting oneself from a dog attack is of utmost importance! (No matter the situation, it can be terribly frightening). There are several steps that one can take to reduce the risk of being attacked by a canine. First and foremost, never approach or try to pet an unknown dog without first asking permission from its owner. Don't ever come near a stray animal or any animal that appears to be acting strangely. Furthermore, if you do find yourseld in close proximity to an agitated pup, stay calm and back away slowly - never run! Running may excite the hound and lead to aggression.
Additionally, you must learn how to read a dog's body language so as (to identify) when it might be about (to become) aggressive. Common signs include raised hackles, bared teeth, growling and lunging. If you notice any of these behaviors, remove yourself from the situation immediately. Likewise, keep small children under supervision at all times when around dogs since they can easily startle them with their unpredictable behavior.
Finally, always remember that even if a canine seems friendly on first meeting it is still important not to trust it too quickly; many dog bites occur because people disregard this basic rule of safety. All in all, by following these simple guidelines one should greatly minimize the chance of suffering injury during an unfortunate encounter with man's best friend!