Dog!

[Catrin]

First of all, I am sorry to hear this happened to you. I had a similar experience earlier this summer with a pit bull mix

How bad is the bite? Was it a full double-tap bite or more of a broken skin problem? If it is the former then you should at least have your doctor clean it well, I had quite a problem with getting mind to heal.

I've decided against spray since it doesn't sound all that effective and it matters which way the wind blows. What I need to get is an Airzound...

Don't let this put you off, I must admit that I am more nervous than I once was about dogs, but I still ride. Now, however, when I see someone walking an unleashed dog I am more likely to just stop my bike and let them get by before continuing.

[abecedarian]

While I'd still call this a simple bite, since it's not too deep, it is definately a double tap. The animal control officers said he ran from them and tried to cover another neighbor's cocker spaniel who was in heat. I never saw the smaller dog today; I'm sure 'Duece' thought I was there to cause trouble with his 'intended'. The officers shot him with a tranquilizer, but he ran off anyway; they spent 45 minutes trying to find him after that. We live out in the county, where there's plenty of open fields a tawny dog could hide in. I'm going to my doc here in a few minutes to have it looked at and to get a tetnus booster.

[Catrin]

It is true the dog thought you were a prey animal though. Definitely stop, get bike between you, and act authoritative if it ever happens again.

I've been told this is less likely to work for a small number of breeds, pit-bulls and pit-bull mixes in particular. Is there anything to this, does anyone know?

[Owlie]

I'd imagine it depends on the dog. I've met quite placid pit-mixes, and some batsh!t insane members of "gentle" breeds. But looking and sounding like a human rather than "I don't know what this is. Maybe I can eat it!" goes a long way with most dogs.

I'm sorry you were bitten, OP. People really should keep their animals under control.

[marni]

another thing you should absolutely do is contact the owner, if you know them, or can and get proff from them that the dogs rabies vaccination is up to date. If the owner has proof then you can feel pretty safe, if the owner can't prove recent rabies vacinnation the dog can be held in quarantine for a specified time to see if the rabies develops. of course by the time they figure this out from the dog, you are probably going to be past the prophylactic (preventitive) treatment.

If the dog is safe, no problem, other than the trauma to the dog in being quarantined, If it turns out otherwise, well, they at least have a place to start and can autopsy the dead dogs brain to determine strain etc.

just saying.....

As far as I am concerned, all states should have a law requiring rabies for all domestic pets, not only for the protection of the animals, but owners and others as well.

just sayin.

heal fast

[Catrin]

Edit: when I read about your dog bite earlier this summer, I thought what you did sounded about right. May have worked better to stay and take charge of the situation, but its owner was there and it was biting you. Possibly being protective? I'd want to get out of there, because it was probably something hinky in the dog/owner relationship that caused the bite to begin with.

Thanks for this Murienn, I did what felt right at the time, but have wondered about my approach. I know next to nothing about dogs, haven't had one since I was 8 years old...

[abecedarian]

I just talked to Pooch's owner. He called to apologize, after calling up and down the street to track me down. Animal Control wouldn't give him my name, which I can understand and appreciate. Anyway, Pooch's shots ARE up to date, and he's now in quarantine with his own vet, and will be neutered before returning home. Owner also assured me that he will be installing a shock fence to keep him on his property. This is good, as Pooch tends to view the yard to his north as his land too. This as much as I can ask for at this point. I hope the shock fence is effective; some dogs learn to tolerate the moment's pain to gain their freedom. Since this pooch usually doesn't range far anyway, this might work for him. If not, they'd need a real fence. However, next time I ride after my leg is better....I'll have my water bottle ready to squirt him if he gets too close

[bmccasland]

A couple of treats couldn't hurt either. Throw them behind him.

A thought: walk by his yard while pushing your bike. Make sure you are wearing your helmet and sunglasses. Call out to him, give treats. After the dog is calm, get up on the bike. Talk to him. Get down. Push. Evaluate situation. Get on bike and ride slowly for a few feet. Get off. Push... So introduce the idea of 'bike' to doggie. Let him see it is you on the bike. Then when you go by quickly in the future, you should be safe calling out to the dog and slowing to a stop so his doggie-brain figures it out. (If it seems like it won't work, don't actually get on the bike the first time. But be prepared to take it slow and wait).

And if the owner walks his dog, could you go along with and walk beside or in front? (Never behind, that will make the dog more dominant). Only if the owner has good control on walks though, and knows how to handle the pooch. (Owner shouldn't walk behind, you may lose before you start if the dog is in charge of the owner, stay away then).

Seems like this "intro to wheel thing" was something I saw Ceasar Milan do on an episode of Dog Whisperer. Subject doggie was freaking out from kid on skate board or something - and after a certain amount of trials, walk-bys, and working with the fearful dog it worked. Dog does not see "human on bike," it's little brain sees a strange thing that needs to be controlled.

[Ritamarie]

A question about loose dogs who run out into the road... do you call animal control even if you have no major incident?

[abecedarian]

Well, it's been 8 months since neighbor pup went nuts. I haven't seen him much since then, so I thought they'd put in a shock fence. Found out last night he's a free bird when he's outside. This time my husband was riding with me, and while every other neighbor dog on the street was out in force(looked just like a block party for dogs!), Big Dog is the only one who acted aggressive. I yelled at him as he lunged and he backed off. On the way back, dh had his pepper spray ready, but the owner had pulled in and the dog was back inside. After telling this to one of my daughters, she told me that two days before, when she was out in our yard with my granddaughters(22 mos and 3 mos) this dog came up to them to investigate the little girls. Ava usually calls all four legged critters 'doggy' but she called this one 'horse'!