animals

[Tri Girl]

Mimitabby had some GREAT suggestions.
I also ride in the country where dogs are usually not penned up in yards very well. Have had numerous dogs hit the street after me running like the wind. I think they only want to chase you because you're moving fast, but it always scares the beejeebers out of me. I usually yell very loudly "Back" or "Get" and unclip one foot- because as much as I love animals, I'm not above kicking one to keep him away from my wheels. Luckily I've never had an accident b/c of an animal, but I've been pretty close. I have never squirted them with water, as I'm not that quick to react, reach down, open the spout and squirt (slow reflexes under panic I guess).
My DH is a mailman and has been attacked by dogs, birds, and even a goat- and the thing that works the most with dogs is an angry tone and a yell to let them know who's boss. I'd carry pepper spray, but with the omnipresent OK wind- it would surely backfire and squirt me in the face.
Stay safe out there!

[DDH]

thanks for posting the thread about pepper spray. I didn't know you could get dog specific pepper spray.
I'd be the one to spray myself accidently. I would feel better with it though, I just don't know how well the water would work and you just never know how aggresive a stray dog is going to be. Of course I guess you don't know aggresive some peoples dogs are either. Sometimes people train their dogs to be aggressive.

[mimitabby]

the biggest problem i see with pepper spray is you are on a bike, at some speed. You are going to take a bottle of spray out, point and aim it at a moving target?
I'm not sure I could do it!

I have actually stopped and gotten off my bike and yelled at a BIG dog.
He turned tail and went back home when i quit looking like a deer and started looking like a human.

[rheidis73]

the biggest problem i see with pepper spray is you are on a bike, at some speed. You are going to take a bottle of spray out, point and aim it at a moving target?
I'm not sure I could do it!

I have actually stopped and gotten off my bike and yelled at a BIG dog.
He turned tail and went back home when i quit looking like a deer and started looking like a human.

Yes, I have not actually used pepper spray while cruising on a bike. I think a person has to have a lot of balance and make sure that the wind is not blowing in the wrong direction! I worked in grizzly country for awhile and carried spray with me. I sprayed it one day to know how to use it. Ummmm..? Forgot about the direction of the wind! Anyway, it does knock the breath out of you and it does durn quite a lot in the eyes...That was the last time I sprayed...

[annie]

Usually it is not strays that are the problem. A stray animal does not have a territory that they are defending, so you confuse them as much as they confuse you when you are passing by. You will most likely be past before they even consider chasing. NOT the same as a dog "protecting" it's territory. I have found the best way to handle this is to TRY and remain calm, using a deep and steady voice, saying "STAY!" If you project fear, the dog seems to sense that and take advantage of it. If you believe you are the one in charge of the situation, then the dog will usually take heed of what you say and back down enough to allow you to get by. If this approach doesn't work, I generally end up screaming and cursing and making a total fool of myself. Fortunately, it's usually effective.

annie

[DrBee]

Usually it is not strays that are the problem. A stray animal does not have a territory that they are defending, so you confuse them as much as they confuse you when you are passing by. You will most likely be past before they even consider chasing. NOT the same as a dog "protecting" it's territory. I have found the best way to handle this is to TRY and remain calm, using a deep and steady voice, saying "STAY!" If you project fear, the dog seems to sense that and take advantage of it. If you believe you are the one in charge of the situation, then the dog will usually take heed of what you say and back down enough to allow you to get by. If this approach doesn't work, I generally end up screaming and cursing and making a total fool of myself. Fortunately, it's usually effective.

annie

Unfortunately, around here there are packs of dogs roaming the fields that would be happy to give a good chase. I like the image of you screaming and cursing! The dogs must love that!

[Tuckervill]

I try not to sneak up on loose dogs if I can help it. If I see a dog lazing around his yard, I will make a whistle or a kissing noise or say, "hey pup pup" to get their attention well before I am within chase range. So far it has seemed to work. I haven't startled any dogs. Some have come out to meet me on the road, but it has been clear they just want to run with me for a bit.

On the other hand, if I noticed a large dog who is barking at the air or otherwise looking alert, I ride very quietly, as far away from him on the road that I can, and hope he doesn't notice me until I'm so far away the chase wouldn't be worth it. It's the only time I hope a dog is on a chain (www.dogsdeservebetter.com).

I noticed a border collie on a chain in a fenced yard today. I am certain any border collie can scale a 4 foot fence and that's why it was on a chain. But it was barking its head OFF at me, because, well, it's meant to herd things that move and it couldn't do its job, poor thing. I also rode by 4 or 5 other dogs who were loose, lying in the front yards of their homes, who barely stirred when they heard me speak to them. Three little dogs--a dachshund, an ungroomed Scottie and an unusually friendly Chihuahua--all tried to get me to stop and give them a pat. They were not a danger, except for maybe getting in my way. Then there was a very large Doberman with undocked ears, sitting with its owner, who went wild when he saw me. Luckily he was fenced in, but I was scared for a minute. All those dogs live within 3 miles of my in-laws house!

One approach is not going to work with all dogs. I wouldn't carry pepper spray and I probably couldn't get the water bottle out of the cage fast enough. But I can sprint like the wind out of his territory, if I can get a jump on the dog. I might take evasive action, trusting in my bike handling skills. I probably wouldn't get off the bike at all if possible, because I'm faster on than off. I just take the breed, the dog's attitude and body language, and the situation into account.

Karen

[rheidis73]

Unfortunately, around here there are packs of dogs roaming the fields that would be happy to give a good chase. I like the image of you screaming and cursing! The dogs must love that!

Yep, I agree with the pack of dogs..we have them here...I get quite nervous when I see 3-4 dogs ahead of me in the middle of the road. I think they tend to want to play more or whatever you want to call it, when they are with their friends....

[DrBee]

You need the magical "Good Dog" socks my SS gave me after I was chased a long distance by a big scary, non-barking dog.

In my experience, if they're barking, yell sternly and they'll go home. If they're not barking, ride as fast as you can. During my big chase, the last thing I wanted to do was stop or get off of my bike. The dog was only about 4 or 5 ft off of my rear wheel. It would've bitten me before I could get my bike in front of me, I'm pretty sure. I do, however, think that putting the bike between you and the dog is good advice. The bike should protect you.

My solution is to ride in town where yelling at the dogs to go home is usually sufficient.

[chickwhorips]

my default for bears is the same thing. if its coming after me, no weapon, that bike is going to be some kind of weapon or block.