Dogs--yet again

[tiva]

What do you all do about dogs who run out barking as you ride by? I ride in farm country, and I much prefer the tiny township roads, which are incredibly lovely, have zero traffic, and have fun hills. But they also have farm dogs who aren't leashed or fenced (unlike the larger state and county roads, where there's so much traffic that farmers all tie their dogs).

I used to try and race by chasing dogs, but since I ride the same roads over and over again, I realized I was only training these dogs to keep chasing me.

So now, as soon as a dog comes running out on the road barking, I hop off my bike, put it between me and them, pull out my water bottle in case I need to spray the dog, and walk away, never looking the dog in the eye but still walking with a tall, calming demeanor. I'm no longer a yummy predator, in other words, just a boring person. This seems to work: they never bite when I do this and they never follow me past their property line. If the dog does come too close, I sternly tell them to get a life. (We have 2 wonderful, loving pit bulls on our FENCED farm, so I have developed an authoritative manner with dogs. They usually do what I say). But this method sure does slow down a ride.

I worry about the long, steep hills, all of which seem to have a farm right at the bottom. If I'm going as fast as I'd like to go, and a dog rushes out right at the bottom of the hill--the collision wouldn't be pretty.

So what do most of you do when a dog roars out at you? Speed up and outride them? Or stop and put your bike between you and them? Or spray them? I keep meaning to bring my kayaking air horn with me, which gives a tremendous honking sound, and could wake the dead. I have no idea how a dog would react, however. At least it might get the attention of the dogs' owners.

[tealtreak]

I am looking forward to reading the replies on this- have exactly the same problem but it is exacerbated by fear ....... (so my yelling is not authoritative but squeaky!) So far I have just relied on ridiculous, knee shredding sprinting............but like you say....a collision is immanent!

[fetchspot]

I will not be of much help. On my rides it is never just one dog chasing me. It is at least two, so I am reluctant to get off my bike. Yelling commands for me helps (Go on!!) but I will be hoarse by the end of my ride. I hate to stay clipped in as I might need to stop, but the time I twisted to unclip, the dog had my whole ankle in its mouth. Ouch. I guess it was an agressive move? I usually have little time to unclip before they are upon me.

fs

[goldfinch]

If it is a route you do regularly then the best thing to do may be to make friends with the dogs like Muirenn suggests. I did that on my route back home. I brought extra tasty treats (chopped up hot dogs) on a few rides. I'd toss the treats to the dogs, who loved them and were distracted. The dogs will be less likely to chase you out of their territory but instead will look forward to your appearance. The pair of dogs I did this with now wait on the side of the road wagging their tails. Sometimes they get treats, most of the time they do not. This is intermittent reinforcement. Once you establish a behavior a treat only once in a while will work to reinforce the behavior.

This works best on dogs that are not aggressive or too highly aroused. It may take more work if the dogs get too cranked up when you see them. You might have to stop and give them the treats as Muirenn suggests. I really do recommend making the treats extra special. Not dry old dog biscuits but something fresh and meaty.

[Crankin]

This would probably cause me stop riding!
Seriously, while I do have issues with the locals in my town who never walk their dogs on leash, it hasn't seemed to be much of an issue when riding, except in my own neighborhood. I've had one nasty encounter with my next door neighbor's dog, as did my DH. I attribute this to owner stupidity. If I had to prepare so much for a ride, in fear of a dog attack, the fear would stop me. I am not an animal lover and it is very hard for me to understand why people put up with poorly behaving pets. I mean, I don't like it when a dog even comes near me under any circumstance, let alone riding. During the one incident I had, I stopped the bike, on a hill no less, put it between myself and the dog and yelled like hell, "go home." I was ready to squirt my water bottle when it left.

[OakLeaf]

Well, the last time I had a scare with a dog at high speed, I got a lecture from sister members on the moto forum. So I'll pay it forward.

It's tempting to outride your brakes and your attention. It's very tempting, it's thrilling, and I succumb too. But don't. It's not necessarily a dog at the bottom of that steep fast hill - it could be a deer, a dweeb on an ATV, a pool of oil that someone dropped earlier that day. Part of it is what I call "seeing with your whole eyes," making sure you're aware of everything in your peripheral vision that might become a problem, any slight movement, any hedge or truck or building that might hide something that could dart out in front of you. Part of it is being able to recognize the limits of the combination of your attention, your braking and handling skills, and your potential escape routes. And part of it is slowing down when you know you're at or approaching those limits.



As far as commands to the dog, I don't have a very authoritative voice either, but it helps me focus my voice if the content of what I say doesn't convey any fear or anger to myself. When I yell at a stray dog, it's usually "Get a job!"