I squirted a dog! Thanks TE :-)

[ATL Laura]

One of my biggest bike fears is being chased by a mean dog...and I also had a nightmare about being chased by a horse after reading pedalwench’s post a while back. Today I was riding the Cartersville Century (http://www.cartersvillecentury.org/), and about 10 miles in a saw a dog sitting at the side of the road watching me. I knew he was going to chase me, so I grabbed my water bottle and was ready for him. Sure enough, he ran at me and I gave him a good squirt in the face, perfect aim! I didn’t turn around to see where he went, but he wasn’t coming after me so I was happy.

I want to thank the wise women of TE who gave me this idea, If I didn’t know about the water bottle trick I probably would have stopped and waited for a large pack of cyclists to go by to lower my chances of being the one to get chased. I’m glad that the dog didn’t get hurt (at least not by me), he was just defending his territory.

[mamaof5]

That's awesome! I can't tell you how many times I saw a dog and just turned around. I'm totally scared of dogs when I'm riding. What a great idea!

[Jiffer]

I have heard of the squirting the dog with the water bottle trick. Also, just yelling at them with authority and scaring THEM instead of the other way around. I was chased once and I ended up simply pushing hard and fast to get away, but was scared that it wasn't going to be enough and didn't know how long he'd keep chasing. Luckily his owner called him back and all was well. I hadn't heard of the water bottle trick at that time.

I MUST know what this being chased by a horse thread is all about!!! I love horses and my daughters have one they compete with. I can't imagine being chased by a horse!

[evangundy]

I'm glad the water bottle trick worked for you, good one to remember. Last weekend, three of us were riding along, a little spread out, and 2 dogs came out of the bushes and started chasing the first rider. He yelled and waved his hands and both dogs stopped running after him (besides, Lonnie can ride faster than they could run). One dog went to the left side of the road and the other went back into the bushes on our side. I knew he would come out after me, and when he did, I looked him in the eye and hollered "GET OFF THE COUCH !! ..... GET DOWN FROM THERE!!!". The dog stopped in his tracks, stopped barking, tilted his head, and turned around back into the bushes. He just didn't know what he should do. It was actually very funny.

Meanwhile, Lonnie turned around and came back towards us, saw I was fine, and continued back to check on Karin. Both dogs started barking at her and running along side. Neither dog had seen Lonnie go back the other way, and when he came up right behind them and hollered to "GO HOME", they both ran off, tails between their legs. He scared them bad, being right behind them, I mean inches behind them.

Apparently the owners were not home, but the neighbors said the dogs were friendly and wouldn't bite. We took that opportunity to tell them that we didn't know that. Someone who does not know the dogs would have no idea if they were friendly or mean. And they could cause an accident easily. And if someone were injured in a fall because of the dogs, they might want to sue the owners. We asked them to please let the owners know that. And running in the road, they were almost run over by some cars that went by at the same time. That wouldn't have been good either.

Ride safe out there!
Edna

[OakLeaf]

"GET OFF THE COUCH !! ..... GET DOWN FROM THERE!!!".

ROFL!

[Miranda]

Good for you on the dog success story. It certainly helps to be able to plan ahead if you see them in advace. I posted on here before about a nasty dog chasing. Received really good advice.

My worst dog chasing was a border collie (black and white sheep dog, breed to chase things). He came without one bark out of no where on a curve from the brush. The "bad dog" thing didn't work, and no time for the water bottle with him lunging at the front tire... so I just sprinted my heart out. I don't think he really wanted to bite me, just coral me down (like a sheep)... aka wreck, bleah.

That road is so beautiful with scenery, but I don't take it anymore because of the dog. I have driven by and see why he gets out (with his two pals, they didn't chase)... large double gate for the driveway stays open. No oweners in site, just like your dog. I wish these folks would restrain their pets. If I was a car I could have killed the dog.

Happy escapes to you !

[mamaof5]

A few weeks ago my hubby was chased by a dog. He was on a mountain bike/dirt road so he couldn't exactly sprint fast. He ended up having to get off of his bike and held the bike between him and the dog as the dog tried to attack him. The dog bit his rear tire and flatted his new Stan's no-tube (which isn't supposed to flat...). The dog ran off after he bit the tire.

[tulip]

Glad the squirt worked. I used it often when my old route in college went through farm country with several chaser dogs.

To everyone with dogs: Please keep your dogs restrained and contained! Thanks!

[li10up]

Something that works for me MOST of the time is to ride right toward the dog while you yell at it "NO!" or "STAY!" They don't have room to chase you and you are now the aggressor. They usually turn back toward their house. Seems like the little dogs are more of a problem for me than the bigger ones. I think it is because their "parents" think they are so cute so they don't discipline them much...."Oooh, my cute little doggie can't hurt anyone."

[Pedal Wench]

...and I also had a nightmare about being chased by a horse after reading pedalwench’s post a while back. Today I was riding the Cartersville Century (http://www.cartersvillecentury.org/)

Ha! You know that my horse-chase incident happened at Beautiful Backroads -- same roads as the Cartersville Cent!!! Last time I rode by that farm, the horses were happy to stay on their side of the fence...

[CATWOMAN]

I carry a pepper spray, ordered through a neighborhood watch program, when I hike. I have thought about carrying it somehow on my bike; not just for dogs, but I cycle alone a lot too. Since I fell and consequently rolled over on my back a few times, I don't think the pocket of my jersey would be a good place to keep it. That would have really bruised my ribs!! It needs to be easily accessible though. If you have a Road ID http://roadid.com/Common/default.aspx you could clip a pepper sray to it I suppose.

I don't dislike dogs, but if it's them or me, they're going down!! Now a cat, that's a horse of a different color

[spindizzy]

Recently, I was doing the last hill of repeats. Just going over the first little roller, saw 2 dogs up ahead, about 400 metres sitting in the middle of the road. I looked at them. They looked at me. I stopped, got off of my bike. Was debating, "should I do this hill, or just head home, and if I head home are they going to chase me anyway?" Then they both started running towards me. I thought "that's it, I'm toast." Was preparing to protect myself with bike. I realized when they were very close that they weren't barking, but panting and wagging their tails. When they got to me they were jumping and licking me like they knew me. (Thank God!) Trying to get that hill done was murder, they just wanted to run along side me and play. But I'll take that anyday than those little dogs that nip your feet and dart in front and side of your bike

[SouthernBelle]

I've been nipped by one dog and knocked off my bike by another. So I'll spray a dog at the drop of a hat.

On the other hand, I was riding down a country road and heard the thump of doggie paws behind me and it was a dalmatian. He ran a long ways along side me. Just made me feel good.

Then there is Buddy. The terror of his neighborhood. Would like your wheel for lunch. Until, that is, you are properly introduced (I have been). Then he is your friend forever.