using air horn to startle aggressive dogs

[bacarver]

I've been having more problems with dogs chasing me and attacking my bike. Over the past few years, I've been bitten twice and have had my front wheel knocked out from under me twice. I carry mace but the spray range is lacking. (Unfortunately, most dogs won't hold still so you can give them a good dose.) I end up wasting the mace in the grass.

Have any TE riders used an airhorn? If so, does it work?

Thanks for the suggestions.

Barb

[limewave]

I've not tried an air horn. I have squirted a water bottle. Just yelling "GO HOME!" has worked the best.

[Grits]

I have used a small marine air horn for a couple of years now. Sometimes it scares the dogs, and sometimes it doesn't. Last week it startled the dog long enough for us to get by, then the dog kind of half heartedly ran after us a little ways. Sometimes it doesn't faze the dog at all. I yell too, and am always prepared to get off the bike if necessary. I would rather have it than not.

This is the one I use. You can get cheaper ones in the boating section of a big box, but this has lasted longer, comes with a velcro strap (big advantage), and you can buy refills for it, so it is worth the extra 5 bucks.

http://www.amazon.com/Falcon-Safety-...6148792&sr=1-5[URL="http://www.amazon.com/Falcon-Safety-Blast-Personal Watercraft"]

[emily_in_nc]

Have any TE riders used an airhorn? If so, does it work?

Yes and yes!

I mounted an AirZound airhorn on my Bike Friday Pocket Crusoe after my 2005 accident caused by two dogs running out at me in the road. It works great, and I only very rarely have to use it. The nice thing about it is that it is so loud, it also works on cars -- if you can remember to use it in time.

If you do use one, make sure to warn anyone you're riding with. It's seriously loud and can scare people. I use it only in emergency situations.

I wish they were less obtrusive looking. They are quite geeky and would look really out of place on a sleek carbon racing bike. But on a utility bike, who cares? That was my thought, anyway.

[Dogmama]

Depends on the dog. If they're chasing for fun or because it's in their genes to herd - think Border Collie - it would probably deter them. If they're highly adrenalized, an air horn may tip them into more aggression.

A very stern "GO HOME" can work. If you can't out sprint them, sometimes stopping pedaling works (along with GO HOME) because the turning of your feet can be exciting & make the dog want to nip - again, think Border Collie. But if it's Cujo - I'd want to try to outrun them, if I could. Some people use bear spray. I've never tried it but I imagine it would be pretty nasty stuff.

If you have to get off the bike, try to keep the bike between you & the dog. And yell like crazy.