Hi, and dogs???

[BeeLady]

Most herding-type dogs can't resist a moving target unless they are very well trained. If that was the only route I could go and I had to go that way, I would get off my bike and start walking it prior to entering the "dog's territory" which is probably the start of the yard, not the gate or area it runs out of. It might bark and come out to greet you but walking shouldn't incite its herding/prey instincts.

Meanwhile, I would definitly be pursuing having the dog owners contacted by the police or sheriff or animal control so you wouldnt have to be walking your bike. Who is the elected official in your county or precinct? A letter with carbon copy to dog's owner might get some attention.

If your are a really patient, tranquil type you might be able to acclimate the dogs to your movement past them but this could take weeks and is really not your job.

I have had success with yelling "No. Bad dog" but then again I'm training a rottweiller/shephard cross pup and am at the top of my authoritarian dog-voice at the moment.

Good luck and get those letters flying! My the dimwits with the dogs don't know your officials are lame in this area and will do something on their own.

[quint41]

Thank God I have not encountered dog problems. (There is one house that lets it's dogs outside and they lay in the road, but I haven't been chased ... yet.) I take exception to the statement that some dogs are dense ... they are not dense, they have not been taught to be good neighbors by their dense owners! Dogs are not born understanding language and human expectations, they must be taught.

And, for that reason, I would circle back in my car if necessary, get their address and report them to the dog warden. If your animal control stinks, then I'd call the police. And if the police appeared sluggish, I'd tell them that I bike that route frequently, and if a bicyclist ever gets hurt because of the dog and the town had failed to address the problem, there could be legal problems for both the dog owner AND the town. Using a form of the phrase "legal action" usually gets things rolling.

I live in a neighborhood with more than our share of inconsiderate a**hole dog owners (let the dog out at 5:30 am to bark, let the dog run across the street and kill the neighbor's lawn, etc.). It's an amazing thing.

[emily_in_nc]

Liberty, it is great that you got out and rode and that the dog owner seems to be "trying". I wouldn't want to have to call someone every time I went out on a ride, but it's better than the alternative. Glad you had a good ride!

Emily

[liberty]

Well, Ladies, I totally have dropped the ball on keeping you up-to-date on what happened with this. Sorry. I was replying to a different dog thread and remembered. So, here is the scoop: my arm and shoulder are fine now. I have been back on the bike and everything is working normally. I am still dog-shy and don't go on my back roads as often. Feel like I lost a lot of freedom, as while on the roads I am more attentive to the possibility of a dog behind every bush and not on enjoying the ride...

The dog owners WOULD NOT BUDGE in paying for more than the initial medical bills. It was getting to be an issue of whether to sue or not. And since I had far too many other things hanging over my head at the time and was stressing out big time, I let it go. They wrote a check for $750, and I ate the rest. What do I wish I had done differently? I wish I had been riding with someone, as a witness would have made a huge difference legally speaking. I wish I had gotten their home owner's insurance information while there with the cop. What am I thankful for in all of this? Falling isn't such a big deal. The dogs didn't bite me. I can bike past that house, knowing the dogs are tied up (since I have to call before I ride now... ack... But hey, a peaceful solution) And it gave me the opportunity to join a wonderful cycling forum and hang out at my bike shop. War stories. Thanks for being there, gals. I appreciate it.