First time chased by snarling dog!

[Swan]

Just Curious

Do people only encounter one dog? I rarely see just one. They are in tandems or more and I hesitate to get off the bike.

Oooh, this. I'm usually chased by two to three dogs at a time of varying sizes. I don't bother slowing down, either! If it was just one dog, I'd feel alright putting the bike between me and it, but when there's more than one, and especially if they snap at your heels instead of just chasing... Idk, but I've had to dump my energy snacks in the road to distract them so I could get away twice. I know you aren't supposed to do that, since it's "rewarding" the bad behavior, but... hey, I came out with minimal scratches!

I'll start packing a horn and squirt gun. Hopefully that'll work for me as well.

Perhaps call animal control and ask what can be done beforehand.

This, too!

[luvmyguys]

The horn and any noise is a good idea. My mom had two quite neurotic dogs (now residing with us), and she actually went to a trainer as they were particularly difficult to train. The trainer taught her (and later, us) to use a very low, guttural voice and give the dog an almost growl, sounding like "BAH!" Somehow it's supposed to show that you're the alpha. The horn should work the same way, but I'm uncoordinated enough that I need to have a voice command. It probably doesn't matter what you say, you just have to use that low, guttural tone - but short and one-syllable probably work better.

The one thing that I know about dogs is that they sense apprehension, so if I see one, I try not to speed up or slow down necessarily, I just try to be aware and keep going. If they get close, I yell at them in the voice I described above.

I like the water bottle suggestion - hadn't thought of that.

[Bike Writer]

The horn and any noise is a good idea. My mom had two quite neurotic dogs (now residing with us), and she actually went to a trainer as they were particularly difficult to train. The trainer taught her (and later, us) to use a very low, guttural voice and give the dog an almost growl, sounding like "BAH!" Somehow it's supposed to show that you're the alpha. The horn should work the same way, but I'm uncoordinated enough that I need to have a voice command. It probably doesn't matter what you say, you just have to use that low, guttural tone - but short and one-syllable probably work better.

The one thing that I know about dogs is that they sense apprehension, so if I see one, I try not to speed up or slow down necessarily, I just try to be aware and keep going. If they get close, I yell at them in the voice I described above.

I like the water bottle suggestion - hadn't thought of that.

I've handled being chased by a dog with this method. I surprised even myself and had no idea I could make that kind of noise. Funny how fear can motivate you. I carry mace but thankfully, I've never had to use it yet.