[Superman]

There is a nearby thread on Exposure Therapy. As someone mentioned, perhaps work through your fear? I would say I am 'appropriately' frightened by aggressive dogs. If a dog tried to kill me, I think I would likely win that struggle. In a short time if I had a good stick in my hand, or better. A casually aggressive dog can also hurt me, as with the OP. Dog bites are not okay. I might have punted that dog.

I think dogs do "sense" stuff and I think turning your back on an aggressive dog is an invitation for the dog to act more aggressively. I keep my shoulders square to an aggressive dog. Often, I will move toward the dog. Like Robert DeNiro's character, rehearings in front of a mirror, in Taxi Driver.
"You lookin' at ME?"