Elaborating on Grandpa Vanderboegh's Dictum

1) Don't Insult Him

2) Don't Challenge Him

3) Don't Threaten Him

4) Don't Deny It's Happening

5) Give Him A Face Saving Exit [More]

Here are five ways to help avoid an attack that can be reversed for opposite results.

That said, there's never a one-size-fits-all solution. Rattlesnakes have rattles for a reason.

And fangs.

[Via Skip]

UPDATE: Looks like imperiously commanding doesn't work well either.