If you think about it for a second there are tons of abilities for dol, beyond just running and hiding ... there are for examples: Natures Protection, Elements, Pacts, Warp, Resistance, Call Over, Trick, Range, Glare, Bulk-up, Transform, etc..
also though the using of foods get the beasts out of the way or a method get cause them beasts to leave to another area temporarily. and there is always the method of "bribing"; if you fail to bribe it attacks regardless, but if you succeed it becomes passive toward you. Also use what you've gathered to survive; the problem is what we gather at present is for crafting, however, what if it was for survival to get those items.