animals

[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]

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.

[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!

[SouthernBelle]

I don't think that this is the one because I would be completely against using a pepper spray. If a dog is big this can only make it angrier. Plus it may affect a rider and you would not be able to ride away. But we are getting some good advice in this thread.

It is the one, but you have to scroll. Petsmart or one of those places carries a citrus spray for runners, cyclists, etc. Pretty effective at keeping them from your heels and blow back isn't an issue. I used it on a big rottweiler a couple of weeks ago. They don't like the smell or the sound. Mine is clipped on my tiny handlebar bag.

[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

[emily_in_nc]

The pepper spray I use is HALT, available at nashbar.com. It will not permanently injure a dog, just stop them in their tracks while you make your getaway. But yes, the wind can cause it to blow back into your eyes (or those of another rider) if you aren't careful, and sometimes you just can't get it out and aimed in time. Nashbar also sells (or used to) a little $2 clip to mount it on your handlebars (I think it fits drop bars only), which makes grabbing it much quicker. Yep, it's geeky, but it's helped me a couple of times. You can't spray it until the dog is quite close, though. Best for when you are going slow uphill and have no chance of outrunning the dog. Sometimes just pointing it at a dog is enough; most are instinctively scared of a pointed "weapon".

Another option that I invested in after my accident last April was an Air Zound airhorn. I believe I bought it at nashbar as well, but I don't think they carry them anymore - a web search would likely turn it up somewhere, though. These have an air chamber that mounts to your frame and a handlebar-mounted trigger to sound the horn. It is LOUD. If you use one, it tends to stop dogs in their tracks as well, and you don't need to wait until they are nipping at your heels to use it either. But tell any riding companions that you have one and before you use it if at all possible, to avoid startling them.

Dogs are definitely my biggest fear on the road. I also live and ride in a rural area where there are many unrestrained dogs (despite a county leash law), and as many of you know, two large dogs ran out at me from the side last April as I was riding. I had my HALT but could not get to it in time (and with more than one dog, it's of more limited use anyway). I sped up in an instinctive move to outrun them, while my husband (in front of me) slowed slightly to look back and see what was going on (I am sure I yelled "DOGS!!!"), and before I even knew what was happening, I slammed into his rear wheel. He was fine, but I crashed on my right side at fairly high speed, HARD, and fractured my pelvis in three places. It was very serious and required surgery and a long rehabilitation period. I have a 6" stainless steel plate and four pins in my ilium and will never be completely the same. The dogs ran away once I crashed. I am sure they just wanted to chase and have some "fun", but it was a very difficult experience.

It's good to hear everyone talking about this all-too-common road hazard. I think it's best to have a plan of attack when dealing with dogs - different situations require different tactics - and in addition to the dogs, don't forget to pay attention to other riders around you if you're not alone, since a bike-bike crash can be even more serious than a dog encounter!

Emily

[Kitsune06]

Funny that this thread should come up after my dog-related crash-and-burn. This medium-sized (to me... I grew up with Samoyeds) dog always runs out barking at me, and I'm on gravel so I can't really hit the gas and zip past him (and his house is right on a corner, so right past the house it's either a loose gravel turn or a stop sign. Bummer. ) I've thus far ALWAYS gotten off my bike to tell him to go home, because he 'bout terrifies me, though he's never really gotten within 10'. I sometimes wonder if he's really all that bad, or just chasing me for the heck of it. The first time I stopped and yelled, he slammed on his brakes so hard he skidded on the gravel before making a 180. Huh. I'm going to invest in that Halt, though. It's a real buzz-kill to be enjoying my ride and then have to sneak past this house on either the way out or back or both.

BTW My dad is a rural USPS worker and has used Halt! before when a 200# Rottie threatened to jump into his car with him. Unfortunately, for what he got on the dog's face, some blow-back still got in his car, and made for a hot, teary rest-of-the-route.

Also as far as Mace and Halt go: My manager- ex police etc, actually has sprayed Halt and Mace on his pizza. He enjoys it. I'm not sure about residual effects to the dog but I wonder what that'd do to your insides

[Kitsune06]

He was fine, but I crashed on my right side at fairly high speed, HARD, and fractured my pelvis in three places. It was very serious and required surgery and a long rehabilitation period. I have a 6" stainless steel plate and four pins in my ilium and will never be completely the same. The dogs ran away once I crashed. I am sure they just wanted to chase and have some "fun", but it was a very difficult experience. Emily

OMG I'm sorry about your experience... I'm glad you're back riding now... ugh...

[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....

[Tuckervill]

I'm going to invest in that Halt, though. It's a real buzz-kill to be enjoying my ride and then have to sneak past this house on either the way out or back or both.

Since this dog doesn't seem vicious and obviously knows you, how about giving him a dog biscuit instead?

When you see him next, as he's coming out, stop your bike, make him stop (if he's still doing that by your voice) and then throw him the biscuit. Make it a smelly or sticky something (cheese or bacon or something like that) so if he's distracted by you, the smell of the treat will attract him.

As he is eating the biscuit, say "good dog" and ride away. Next time you see him, do the same. Don't give him the biscuit unless he's doing what you want him to do. He probably knows the sit command. If you can make him sit before the treat, even better. Condition him to see you and think "if I stop, I'll get a TREAT!" It will take a bit of planning and ingenuity. After probably several times, you can just toss the treat as you go by, and if he's worth his salt he'll be sitting and waiting as soon as he hears you. After a month of that, you can toss him a treat just every once in a while to reinforce the behavior you want.

My mail carrier trained my dog to be quiet at the gate by giving him a biscuit (that I left in the mailbox for him) every day.

Karen