So...about dogs...

[tctrek]

There are numerous threads about dogs... I know because I have a dog phobia and I read them all to try to get ideas how to help myself to not be so fearful of dogs. I don't get chased on most of our routes, but there's one ride I love out in the country -- you can ride for miles and miles and there's no stop lights or cars. There are several dogs out there that chase me. I always hammer down and have been successful in out-running them. My intelligent mind knows this is a bad strategy, but my phobia demands I do it.

There are many that say you should actually slow down, firmly tell the dog "NO!" - -most dogs understand the word no. Be prepared to dismount the bike and get it between you and the dog if it attacks you. But the general consensus is if you slow down or stop that the dog will no longer be interested in you. Too bad my phobia doesn't believe that crap

[beccaB]

I watched a dog get run over by a car. On my birthday. It was heartbreaking. He had come out to greet me, I'm pretty sure it was to be friendly. I didn't even see him until he was getting run over. The car didn't even stop. I had to go tell a twelve year old boy that his dog had been hit by a car. Somehow it managed to survive. There have been a few close calls since then with other dogs. Next time I just hope it's not me or my husband getting hit because a driver has to swerve out of the way of a dog.

[zoom-zoom]

I watched a dog get run over by a car. On my birthday. It was heartbreaking. He had come out to greet me, I'm pretty sure it was to be friendly. I didn't even see him until he was getting run over. The car didn't even stop. I had to go tell a twelve year old boy that his dog had been hit by a car. Somehow it managed to survive. There have been a few close calls since then with other dogs. Next time I just hope it's not me or my husband getting hit because a driver has to swerve out of the way of a dog.

I'm so sorry...this is one of those nightmares I have.

[Crankin]

In the above situation,it's not your fault the owner was irresponsible enough to let the dog out, to run wild. My DH witnessed this once, after he had stopped a dog from biting him, on his bike, it promptly ran out and got run over by a truck.
I fully admit I am not an animal lover. I'm sure my "dog thread" is somewhere in the links posted above. I caused a big issue in my neighborhood when I suggested that owners need to use leashes, and just because they are nearby does not mean that their dog will not go after a cyclist. I stopped my bike, put it between myself and the dog (on a hill!), screamed loudly, "no, go home," and the dog still was very close to me for quite awhile. The same dog chased my DH and almost killed him going down the hill 2 years later. Someone witnessed the incident, brought the dog back to its owners (our neighbors) and we got a written apology. However, not much has changed.

[Bike Chick]

We have had many, many, many issues with dogs. I love dogs but hate the owners that let them run lose. It's not the dog's fault--they are just doing what dog's do--it's the owner's fault for not keeping them on a leash or putting up an fence--real or invisible.

We had a dog issue a couple years ago that required law enforcement intervention and have a good friend that was laid up 6 months because of a busted knee from hitting a dog on her bike. I go out of my way to avoid the houses that have dogs and am hesitant to commute because of 3 houses with misbehaving dogs along my 9 mile route. I hate dogs as much or more than cars.

[kermit]

It's amazing how the nice quiet country roads have the most dogs. I have a great route around my house in Georgia. There are also several farm dogs that love the chase. I have stopped in the road and wound up making friends. This one big pit mix followed my husband and I for two miles, took a swim in the river and then ran back with us. Most of these dogs have their parameters and a good "NO or STAY" usually does the trick. There is this one little poodle mix, he's a bastard!

[zoom-zoom]

Kermit, I see FAR more loose dogs the further we get from town, too. All farm country. There are county leash laws, but I have a feeling that most farm families overlook those laws, since many of these dogs are working dogs and there aren't a lot of people coming and going near their property. Sometimes I wonder if these canines are trying to herd me.