Lots of areas have loose dogs. I used to live in Fresno, CA and would go riding out in the orchard and through farm land. Can't tell you how many times I was riding, minding my own business and a pack of dogs came flying out yapping and barking at me. I alway stop. If you ride by the dogs will chase and I don't really want them out in the street or road and away from home. I stop, turn and shout. Takes little more than that. They will back off and turn around. Then I can ride happily on. Trying to squirt a dog with water might cause one to have an accident. Not good!