So...about dogs...

I don't think I've really seen a thread re: how to handle dogs on a bike. While running it's easy...very seldom do I run into aggressive dogs and most of my worries are dogs that want to follow me.

On a bike...even the sweetest dogs seem to turn into Cujo at the sight of me (is this something wired into a dog's brain?).

So how does one handle a chasing dog. I've already had more instances of this while biking in the few hours I've managed outdoors than I usually do in an entire year of running. Do you try to stop? Try to outrun the dog? Bring treats along to make friends with a dog so that he/she doesn't go into attack mode the next time?

I had one dog last Sunday that appeared out of nowhere and scared the bejeezus out of me. Luckily I was going at 17mph or so and he couldn't get anywhere near me.

Try this thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...highlight=dogs

It then links to multiple other threads about dogs.

FWIW, my own dog gets freaked out by me on my bike. I think that with the helmet and wheels and all, I no longer look like a person to him.

Sarah

My little jack russell terror isn't at all bothered by me on a bike.

If it's a little dog (like the dachshunds that chase me on one part of a country road route), I just outpace them. It's usually pretty easy, and they've learned by now that they can't keep up.

Bigger dog? I get freaked out. I almost got knocked over by a lab just a couple days ago, and it made me shake for a while. My boyfriend is a veterinarian and suggests carrying pepper spray, and having it in your hand for parts of a route where you know there are (large) loose dogs.

Treats are a HORRIBLE idea, unless you have already dismounted your bike. If you give a dog a treat to "make nice" after they just chased you, you are essentially rewarding them for chasing bikes, and they are a lot more likely to think "hey, there's that chaseable treat dispenser!!" in the future. Treats are a no.

There are numerous threads about dogs... I know because I have a dog phobia and I read them all to try to get ideas how to help myself to not be so fearful of dogs. I don't get chased on most of our routes, but there's one ride I love out in the country -- you can ride for miles and miles and there's no stop lights or cars. There are several dogs out there that chase me. I always hammer down and have been successful in out-running them. My intelligent mind knows this is a bad strategy, but my phobia demands I do it.

There are many that say you should actually slow down, firmly tell the dog "NO!" - -most dogs understand the word no. Be prepared to dismount the bike and get it between you and the dog if it attacks you. But the general consensus is if you slow down or stop that the dog will no longer be interested in you. Too bad my phobia doesn't believe that crap :o

I watched a dog get run over by a car. On my birthday. It was heartbreaking. He had come out to greet me, I'm pretty sure it was to be friendly. I didn't even see him until he was getting run over. The car didn't even stop. I had to go tell a twelve year old boy that his dog had been hit by a car. Somehow it managed to survive. There have been a few close calls since then with other dogs. Next time I just hope it's not me or my husband getting hit because a driver has to swerve out of the way of a dog.

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Originally Posted by artifactos

If it's a little dog (like the dachshunds that chase me on one part of a country road route), I just outpace them. It's usually pretty easy, and they've learned by now that they can't keep up.

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This made me chuckle...we have 3 doxies in our area that are terrors. Well, 1 isn't so bad, but he sort of follows the lead of the nasty one. I've had to kick the nasty one after he attempted to latch-on to my calf during a run. Luckily he couldn't get his tiny mouth around my monster calves clad in running tights. I haven't seen those dogs running loose in a long time, either, which makes me wonder if someone finally reported them. I swear they would see me coming and "release the hounds." :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by beccaB

I watched a dog get run over by a car. On my birthday. It was heartbreaking. He had come out to greet me, I'm pretty sure it was to be friendly. I didn't even see him until he was getting run over. The car didn't even stop. I had to go tell a twelve year old boy that his dog had been hit by a car. Somehow it managed to survive. There have been a few close calls since then with other dogs. Next time I just hope it's not me or my husband getting hit because a driver has to swerve out of the way of a dog.

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I'm so sorry...this is one of those nightmares I have.

In the above situation,it's not your fault the owner was irresponsible enough to let the dog out, to run wild. My DH witnessed this once, after he had stopped a dog from biting him, on his bike, it promptly ran out and got run over by a truck.
I fully admit I am not an animal lover. I'm sure my "dog thread" is somewhere in the links posted above. I caused a big issue in my neighborhood when I suggested that owners need to use leashes, and just because they are nearby does not mean that their dog will not go after a cyclist. I stopped my bike, put it between myself and the dog (on a hill!), screamed loudly, "no, go home," and the dog still was very close to me for quite awhile. The same dog chased my DH and almost killed him going down the hill 2 years later. Someone witnessed the incident, brought the dog back to its owners (our neighbors) and we got a written apology. However, not much has changed.

We have had many, many, many issues with dogs. I love dogs but hate the owners that let them run lose. It's not the dog's fault--they are just doing what dog's do--it's the owner's fault for not keeping them on a leash or putting up an fence--real or invisible.

We had a dog issue a couple years ago that required law enforcement intervention and have a good friend that was laid up 6 months because of a busted knee from hitting a dog on her bike. I go out of my way to avoid the houses that have dogs and am hesitant to commute because of 3 houses with misbehaving dogs along my 9 mile route. I hate dogs as much or more than cars.

It's amazing how the nice quiet country roads have the most dogs. I have a great route around my house in Georgia. There are also several farm dogs that love the chase. I have stopped in the road and wound up making friends. This one big pit mix followed my husband and I for two miles, took a swim in the river and then ran back with us. Most of these dogs have their parameters and a good "NO or STAY" usually does the trick. There is this one little poodle mix, he's a bastard!

Kermit, I see FAR more loose dogs the further we get from town, too. All farm country. There are county leash laws, but I have a feeling that most farm families overlook those laws, since many of these dogs are working dogs and there aren't a lot of people coming and going near their property. Sometimes I wonder if these canines are trying to herd me.

Here's a dog thread for you...
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...=century+crash

Well, today I just picked my bike up w/repairs of some things that were off from the crash. And my permanent damage is to my shoulder acl, vision damage that came out later, and jaw alignment... but my skin you can barely tell cosmetically. The fear of crashing again from a dog... well, that one I am working on overcoming.

I have tried various things from the threads mentioned here on TE. Sometimes one thing works. Sometimes another. And like my crash, sometimes your number is just up.

I love dogs. Their idiot owners I do not:mad:.

Sending you luck and safe dog-free wishes!

Oh, Miranda...that makes me cringe. Seems the dog issues are not a matter of if, but when. I'm sorry that you are still dealing with issues from the crash. What was the legal outcome with that dog owner?

Thats my fear, I see enough strays in south Georgia, the one time I heard the trees rustle it was a huge deer, right across the road. I have been lucky so far, but there's gonna be that one cujo. Heal quick Miranda and you gotta figure Murphy's law has struck.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Oh, Miranda...that makes me cringe. Seems the dog issues are not a matter of if, but when. I'm sorry that you are still dealing with issues from the crash. What was the legal outcome with that dog owner?

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Originally Posted by kermit

Thats my fear, I see enough strays in south Georgia, the one time I heard the trees rustle it was a huge deer, right across the road. I have been lucky so far, but there's gonna be that one cujo. Heal quick Miranda and you gotta figure Murphy's law has struck.

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Thx my TE sisters.:cool: Yea... this winter has been just focusing on getting out of pain, and try to get back to daily living activities. Now, I'm ok like that. Started weights at the gym to get stronger to hold myself up on the bike.

Well... after I posted my crash, I thought this is probably not happy best advice. Guess, I'm saying, sometimes even the best laid plans don't pan out.

I think if you see the dog ahead of time, and you have time to slow down and/or stop... then do that. I walk w/the bike between me and dog. Once your past their property line, they should go back home. If the dog starts after you as walking, stop and be still. Chasing / hunting instincts are primary in dogs. And my riding partner's theory is that it is something about the wheels that makes the dogs crazy. I suppose unlike a metal car zooming by, we have our scent out in the open as well.

I have been dog bit riding before as well. But, that's never my worry. It's collide that is the issue, thus resulting in crash.

Sometimes you just sprint like h$ll. Some of my guy buddies voices are deep enough, the dog runs back.

My crash dog was just like my black lab I have now. Quick as night wind... silent, but deadly. She never barks. So unfortunately like the farm dog, you turn your head and whoop, there it is!

I think too if you stay on high dog alert on areas that look suspicious... for me, a garage door up is one. Kids playing out in yard, etc.

I have had the dogs jump outta the bushes by the road also. That just scares the h$ll out of me to ride by. Tall bushes... because there is not enough time to decide if you should sprint, or stop when the animal is closely concealed.