Dogs?

[MartianDestiny]

and then I thought, what if you tossed them a Milk-bone? Give them something to chew and they'll be your buddy. Just a thought. I've never actually tried to tame a barking dog with a biscuit.

Please don't. This is a REWARD. A reward for bad behavior. It would teach and reinforce quite a few bad habits that can quickly escalate or be deadly to the dog.

1) It teaches them it's good to chase (cyclists, runners, cars...)
2) It teaches them it's ok to be territorial and aggressive (barking, growling, giving chase...)
3) It teaches them the road is a good place to be and that it's ok to leave their property

1 is bad because it's not ok and the next cyclist might not be so lucky or nice. 2 is bad because it's something that can escalate into real aggression and attacking behavior. 3 is bad because it's likely to get the dog killed (run over) or a cyclist (or other road user) hurt (what happens when the dog approaches a peloton for a biscuit and they either a) hit him or b) slam on the brakes and cause a major wreck).

Ignore them, yell at them, confront them, squirt/spray/hit them, charge them, out run them, report them, but don't reward/feed them.

[Andrea]

If it's a spot that you ride by all the time, then my first choice would be go and approach the owner. Is there a leash law in your area? If there is, then the owner is in violation of this.

If that doesn't work, then I'd go for pepper spray. I usually only go to that as a total last resort, but it would probably make them stop chasing you for good.

[Ann G]

There were some good ideas here. I also read some of the previous threads on this topic after somebody posted some links. These dogs are outside of city limits, so I don't think any lease laws apply here. So far, dogs have chased me but I haven't been attacked, and they usually turn around after being some distance away from the house. I like the idea of slowing down and shouting at them. I'll try that, and if I have to, I can try squirting or the pebble idea.

[lo123]

I do at least one ride a week in a rural area with lots of dogs... Here's my experience:

For the most part, a firm deep voice saying "no" or "go home" works. Make your voice as deep and loud as you can. The deeper your voice, the better they respond in my experience (worked on training my dogs as well). This typically works on the bored/yappy dog, not the aggressive dog.

There's one pit bull mix that doesn't get the message and has bitten more than one cyclist in our local club (lucky for us, the cyclist is also a lawyer and has written some letters... the dog's been absent the last few rides). For those dogs, I carry pepper spray designed for runners/cyclists (I got mine at Academy Sports & Outdoors--just fyi since it took me awhile to find it). It has a range of 12-15' and a clip. Clip it up under my shorts or put it in my bento box. I haven't needed it so far, but several folks I ride with use theirs before I got to the dog.

[Trek420]

If it's a spot that you ride by all the time, then my first choice would be go and approach the owner. Is there a leash law in your area? If there is, then the owner is in violation of this.

If it is a spot you ride by often "cookies" help. There used to be a dog on my commute, fenced but did bark. I brought "cookies" and soon the bark changed from aggressive to friendly.

They moved so the pooch is no longer there.

But even that you should ask the owner.

[kermit]

I am out in the country right now and just had an encounter with a big lab/pit mix. I was riding as he shot our of his yard and came charging at me. I stopped, yelled NO, called him over and he was the sweetest thing in the world. Two minutes later, he went home and I continued my ride. In my area, these dogs get used to chasing cars and you are just another chase object to them. If you talk and personalize yourself, they lose interest. This may not work all the time, there are always the aggressive dogs, I got lucky. I choose this option instead of getting knocked over by this moose.

[kenyonchris]

A few pebbles in my Bento Box....I pop them with a spray of little rocks. Have never had it NOT work, but there is always a first time.

[TrekTheKaty]

A few pebbles in my Bento Box....I pop them with a spray of little rocks. Have never had it NOT work, but there is always a first time.

Good idea. Gonna need a bigger box!

[tctrek]

I just ride like h*ll... has anyone here not been able to outrun a dog? I am absolutely terrified of dogs both on and off the bike and when one chases me on the bike I just hammer down and take off. My DH frequently slows down and tells them "no" and stuff, but I am G-O-N-E!

[channlluv]

Please don't. This is a REWARD. A reward for bad behavior. It would teach and reinforce quite a few bad habits that can quickly escalate or be deadly to the dog.

1) It teaches them it's good to chase (cyclists, runners, cars...)
2) It teaches them it's ok to be territorial and aggressive (barking, growling, giving chase...)
3) It teaches them the road is a good place to be and that it's ok to leave their property

1 is bad because it's not ok and the next cyclist might not be so lucky or nice. 2 is bad because it's something that can escalate into real aggression and attacking behavior. 3 is bad because it's likely to get the dog killed (run over) or a cyclist (or other road user) hurt (what happens when the dog approaches a peloton for a biscuit and they either a) hit him or b) slam on the brakes and cause a major wreck).

Ignore them, yell at them, confront them, squirt/spray/hit them, charge them, out run them, report them, but don't reward/feed them.

Golly, good points every one. Scrap that biscuit suggestion. Back to the squirt bottle idea.

Roxy