animals

[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