i was chased by a DOG!!!

[kumariUNC]

Hello everyone!

I was riding two days ago on a very familiar loop of mine, and all of the sudden I heard a dog barking. I figured it would just stay up on the porch where it was, about 50 meters from the road. But no!!! It started sprinting full speed for me and I have never been so scared! I've never ridden so fast on my bike either! I sprinted as FAST as I humanly could away from that dog, I heard it panting behind my rear tire, but my adrenaline kept me going strong and I eventually out ran it. When I finally looked down at my speedometer, I had been slowing down already, and felt like I was going slow compared to the racing speed I was going before, and it read 23 mph, that felt SLOW to me, I must have been going over 30mph at least, and this was slightly up hill! PLEASE, does anyone have any tips for dogs?? I am thinking about getting mace, any advice??

Thanks...

Kumari*

[annie]

I am not a dog-hater, but there are times when I wish a large car would come out of nowhere and totally annihilate the dog that is trying to take a bite out of my ankle as I am doing nothing to it but riding my bike past. Okay, I know that sounds mean and I would probably feel bad for the dog and owners if it ever happened, but dogs can be a real problem when you ride mostly country roads. Sometimes the owners are worse. They see what's happening and do nothing to call the dog back. I've never lived on a farm, I guess I don't understand how they can think it's okay to just let dogs roam free. If they would train the dog to stay off the road, I would have nothing to complain about. I don't go on their property, the dog should STAY on their property and not on the road. Now that I've let off some steam, on to some advice.

As for what to do, I usually try two things if a dog comes out and surprises me. First, YELL, in a loud voice, as deep as you can make it, "NO" or "STAY" or "GO HOME". Different dogs respond to different things. Often they will stop long enough to let you escape. Second, squirt them with your water bottle. Try and hit them in the face. Again, they usually pause long enough for you to get away. Whatever you do, don't panic. It doesn't help, the dog can sense it. I don't use Mace or Halt. It comes out in a very fine stream and you have to have good aim to hit the dog right. When I am riding along and trying to escape, my aim isn't so hot. Also, I always wondered if it would blow back in my face if the wind was the wrong way. Wouldn't that be something! Water or Gatorade from the waterbottle is safer.

If you know the dog is going to be there, try and sneak by or speed by as fast as you can possibly go and try and outrun it.

I am guessing others will have some good suggestions, too. Let's hear them.

[tinkerbell]

OK, I've never been chased by a dog, but being an owner of a big protetive dog myself I know how true it is that if they smell fear it is all over....so, what if a dog started to chase me and I just stopped and petted them? Would they bite my hand off first? Am I naive to think that if they're already barking and chasing me that they'd stop and be my friend? ;) Just a thought...

[Trek420]

Hi Kumari, nice motivation to wind sprint ;-) ....seriously

"dogs can be a real problem when you ride mostly country roads. Sometimes the owners are worse. They see what's happening and do nothing to call the dog back. I've never lived on a farm, I guess I don't understand how they can think it's okay to just let dogs roam free"

I own a dog, Mae is always on a leash if out...always! She's fenced when she is not. I'd never let her just roam free. Some people think "the dog needs to be free to be a dog and roam around and be a dog", B** S***. Unleashed dogs form packs, get into all kinds of trouble, pick up diseases, get poisened from eating whatever they find, become road kill, get picked up by animal control if there are leash laws. These people should take the unleashed dog to a dog park or specific area where it's ok to run around.

Today I was out walking Mae and this unleashed older lab came ambling up, very agressive, very tense situation. When yelling "go home" at the dog did not work I grabed the water bottle, gave him a squirt and a yell, luckily that did the trick. If there are multiple dogs never get in between two agressive dogs (how to tell? watch the body language) or risk getting bitten. I also kept my hand on Mae's release for her collar because might I have to give her the ability to defend herself if I could not get this dog to go home and then just hope she does not bolt into traffic. Luckily it was ok.

"If they would train the dog to stay off the road, I would have nothing to complain about. I don't go on their property, the dog should STAY on their property and not on the road. "

Sadly no matter how well trained some dogs consider the road "theirs" and will chase anything that comes near. Good way for their beloved pet to be road kill.

"As for what to do, I usually try two things if a dog comes out and surprises me. First, YELL, in a loud voice, as deep as you can make it, "NO" or "STAY" or "GO HOME". Different dogs respond to different things. Often they will stop long enough to let you escape. Second, squirt them with your water bottle. Try and hit them in the face. Again, they usually pause long enough for you to get away. Whatever you do, don't panic. It doesn't help, the dog can sense it. I don't use Mace or Halt. It comes out in a very fine stream and you have to have good aim to hit the dog right. When I am riding along and trying to escape, my aim isn't so hot. Also, I always wondered if it would blow back in my face if the wind was the wrong way. Wouldn't that be something! Water or Gatorade from the waterbottle is safer."

Right! All good actions

I've heard that lemon in the water works well too...tasty too! Lastly if you feel you can't outsprint the dog, stop. Put your bike in between you and the dog and call for help.

Think like a dog: avoid picking up the tire pump as a weapon if you can because some dogs will consider that a threat, also don't "stare down" the dog because the dog will consider you a threat. If you've opted to stop use a very friendly tone, like talking to a child.

"If you know the dog is going to be there, try and sneak by or speed by as fast as you can possibly go and try and outrun it. "

Or carry dog treats! You can throw them at any point and hope the dog goes for them not you thus creating a friend. If there is a dog on your route that sometimes chases and sometimes doesn't consider carrying treats and stopping to give them to the dog (ask the owners permission first)

This dog is thinking "people on two wheels come near my home, my job is to guard the house, I bark at them and chase them, it must be working, they go away and fast" You may have to teach the dog that "people on two wheels are a good thing"

Mae barks at other dogs and some people, she's fine around bikes. That's because when the weather is bad she sits next to me while I ride the cycleops and from time to time I have her do tricks while I pedal and she gets treats. So she associates bikes with food and good things.

It was funny when we hiked along the Rubicon trail and she gave a (not unfriendly) woof to people but was fine when bikes rolled by.

Lastly, check your local leash law, if there is one in the area you may need to report the dog.

[Trek420]

annie wrote "I am guessing others will have some good suggestions, too. Let's hear them."

Bicyling magazine has this to say about chasing dogs.

http://www.bicycling.com/qanda/0,5110,343,00.html?category_id=364&article_type_id='qa'

D

[kumariUNC]

Thanks everyone for all the great tips. I feel much more prepared for my next "dog encounter," but hopefully that doesn't come for a while (or EVER!!) I went out riding two days ago (not yesterday due to the HURRICANE that came through NC) and I didn't have any dog problems. But I also didn't go past the house that I did have the dog problem at either ;)

Happy and SAFE riding :)

Kumari

[Dogmama]

I've trained dogs in obedience for 15 years and know a little bit about dog psychology.

Retriever/sporting types (labs, goldens, some spaniels) are intrigued by our feet spinning. I always STOP spinning and yell NO! The act of slowing will sometimes break their chase instinct (which is what is going on) and the "NO! GO HOME!" will intimidate some of them. You MUST believe that you are "alpha" and that the dog will obey. As somebody said, dogs can smell fear - they also know indecision.

Some dogs are so inbred, often to be aggressive, that you just don't know what is going on. If I can outrun them, I will.

I don't think that the water bottle is always a good idea. If the dog is enraged - the water will further enrage him. If he's a puss-at-heart, the slowing your feet & yelling "NO" should do it.

All of these are broad speculations. Know how to read the dog (tail up & tongue flapping= "we're having fun!" - tail straight out, eyes narrowed & hair raised = "you're mine!").

----

BTW - I did not appreciate the person who suggested a car hitting the dog would be an answer - even if not entirely serious. It isn't the dog's fault. It's the idiot owners. Don't wish a slow and painful death on a dog who doesn't know any better.

[annie]

Dogmama,

I am not surprised that someone objected to my comment about a car hitting a dog. Truly, I wouldn't want that to happen. I do realize it's not the dog's fault. And if I actually saw a dog hit, I would feel terrible! It's just in the moment the dog is snapping at my ankle and I am scared to death I'll crash that I have had that momentary thought. Sorry if it offended you or anyone else. I guess I'll have to censor what I say a little bit more.

Anyway, I'd like to say I had some GOOD dog experiences out on a ride yesterday. I met three dogs - all at separate times, not together - and not one of them chased or acted aggressive in any manner. They all ran along beside me for a bit, but not in a threatening way. I have a feeling that most farms I ride past probably have a dog and most of them are well trained and don't bother cyclists. I just wish they were all that way............

[Trek420]

annie wrote " in the moment the dog is snapping at my ankle and I am scared to death I'll crash"

It's not the big dogs that snap at your ankles that worry me, it's those little bitty teeny tiny yap dogs that get wedged between your spokes ;-)

Just kidding, I like dogs, really!!!! Mae, stop growling at me like that ;-)

It is scary when anything darts out suddenly or chases you. Slightly off post but anyone experienced kami-kazi squirrels? There's simply no training them.

Alameda Creek trail, one of my favorites is full of the little monsters and they dart out from rocks and play chicken with your front tires, then dart behind a rock and laugh with each other about how you nearly crashed.

"I have a feeling that most farms I ride past probably have a dog and most of them are well trained and don't bother cyclists. I just wish they were all that way"

Yep, it'd be nice if everyone did. It's very rewarding on both ends of the leash to train a dog.

[momcat]

On one of the loops that my husband and I ride, we go out into the country a bit, where there are farms. I have been chased by a goat. Fortunately for us both, he was tethered in his yard.

[Dogmama]

The next time any of you are chased, make note of where is was and the description of the dog. When you get home, call your local animal control center and register a complaint. They (should) go out & talk to the owners. Maybe that would make an impression.

[annie]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Trek420

J

It is scary when anything darts out suddenly or chases you. Slightly off post but anyone experienced kami-kazi squirrels? There's simply no training them.

LOL! I have experienced those kamikaze squirrels! On the road and on the trails. You're right, they're beyond training. :rolleyes: Cute little buggers, tho'........

[Veronica]

One of the women in our club had a squirrel get caught in her front wheel once. Very nasty. Of course some of the guys now tease her unmercifully about it.


Veronica

[Nancy]

On a ride this summer, as I was being chased rather aggressively by a German Shepherd, my friend riding behind me threw him a tennis ball. When we stopped for lunch and spoke with some cyclists who were a mile or so behind us, they remarked about the friendly shepherd who had brought along a ball to play!
Nancy

[annie]

Nancy,

I have to ask.......... why did your friend have a tennis ball along on a bike ride? Was she planning on using it to throw at dogs? ;-)

[Nancy]

Annie-
Yep! She gets a ready supply from her local tennis club and carries a few in her handlebar bag for just such an occasion. I thought it was a great and humane way to handle the problem!
Nancy