Killing the Dogs

[Greatger]

I love this game......but.......I cannot for the life of me kill the dog
I try for hours.....now my game has automatically saved at a point where the dog is running at me....I use the pick axe but can't even seem to get a hit once......what exactly is the trick in killing this thing.
I am in the point where you keyed in the security code and the gate opens....(the dog was behind the gate). Is there a place I can run to where he can't get me ? AT least in the earlier levels you could stand on a crate and chip away at him
Pls Pls someone help me