first dog that appears after i leave office

[Petike]

simple question -- after i leave the office theres one dog -- can i kill it with my hammer or is my only option running away like a wimp?

I'll give you a few hints on combat in Overture :

Try provoking a dog, then run to the nearest crate and jump on it. The canine critter will keep snapping his jaws at you, but your on high ground now, and you can hit him hard with your melee weapon.

Or, throw some heavy objects at him - like a metal barrel or some medium-sized rocks. Once he lies on the ground for the first time, keep hitting him with all you have got : Weapon, rocks, anything.

If two doggies somehow get stucked in some more confined space, throw the few dynamite sticks you have found directly to them.

Beef-jerky is the most peaceful solution - throw it somewhere, so the dog can see it, then quickly creep near him, while he is distracted.

Meat and dynamites are thrown by holding down the left mouse button - the longer you hold it, the farther you throw...

Anyway, have a look at this video with one of the devs (Thomas) explaining, what types of combat you can use in Overture :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dHDqlcX7FU