The dogs are going to kill me!

[miatatbone]

Everywhere I seem to go leads into a confortation with a dog. Yesterday afternoon while on a short ride by myself, a dog hits my front tire sending me over the handlebars at 8mph. Last week I fall over because a dog goes for my foot. No major injuries from yesterdays event except road rash and a sore back today. I'm getting too old for this stuff. If it continues I may be forced to not ride at all around the area I live or give up cycling. I actually feel that I'm starting to get paranoid about things running out in front of me.
Any suggestions?

[centexwoody]

No suggestions that wouldn't send a PETA posse after me...:D

[redden]

Kill the dogs and sue the owners. Carry an air taser, pepper spray, loud air horn.

[Baggsy]

That's how they found out they're edible in the Far East...

[zonatandem]

Get off the bike when dog chases. Keep bike between you and dog. Whip out squirt pistol loaded with ammonia . . . get 'im!

[BluesDawg]

Dogs sense fear. If they think they have the upper hand, they will be aggressive. If they sense that you are meaner than they are, they will back off - usually.
I command the dog to "stop" or "stay" or I say "NO" as I would to my own dog. That usually works. If the dog keeps coming I try a shot of water to the face. If none of that works, I get off the bike, keeping it between me and the dog and start looking for something to hit the dog with.

[jcm]

Be louder and more aggressive than the dog. Sprays would work except you have to be ready and have it at hand (bar mount). Stopping and placing the bike btween you and the dog only works if the dog doesn't really want your butt for lunch. They can out corner you no matter what you do.

I can personally attest to the fact that this method does NOT work on angry Trumeter Swans. :o

[Artkansas]

I can personally attest to the fact that this method does NOT work on angry Trumpeter Swans. :o

Swans don't take **** from anyone.

But as for dogs. You gotta be the big dog. Bicycles are an easy chase for dogs most of the time. Being scared just makes it fun for them.

As other posters have said, command the dog "No!" Say it low and loud, just like your most hated high school coach. Most dogs know the word "No". It may take repeating. That will usually slow them down enough to get you out of their territory.

An ammonia gun may be good for the dogs you have already encountered. You have to suprise them with something more than they were expecting.

And yes, getting off the bike, keeping it between you and the dog and slowly moving along may work too. I've had success with it.

Then there is the last resort. Take meat or treats with you and throw them toward, but not right at the dog so it can smell it and go for it. But then you will usually have to have those treats for that dog. But not always. He stays better trained if you don't always give him treats.

[jcm]

"Then there is the last resort. Take meat or treats with you and throw them toward, but not right at the dog so it can smell it and go for it. But then you will usually have to have those treats for that dog. But not always. He stays better trained if you don't always give him treats."

I've used the Oscar-Meyer Method. It works pretty well. Cut up a couple of dogs (no, not that kind), put the chunks in a baggie, and toss them as bridge tolls. No dog can resist Oscar-Meyer. The former delinquents are now my buds.

Works best when you know the miscreants are about to ambush you and you can get out the bribe in time. Otherwise, it's a dismount while you fish it out. Often, the hoodlums have retreated by then because you're no longer interesting when stopped.

[rodrigaj]

If you can, talk to the owners. Be courteous, but let them know that you will be reporting the incident to the authorities. And do it.

I always carry "halt" spray in the back of my jersey. It is very effective.

Having said that, I have a carved out thigh, where a doberman jumped out from a ditch and took his dinner with no warning. I landed in emergency for 3 hours, 17 stitches. Most of the time was spent in cleaning out the wound. This happened in 1988 and I can remember seeing dogs behind every tree for about a year. You eventually get over it, but it puts a crimp in the enjoyment of cycling.

The fact is that it is the owner's fault, not the dog's. Dealing with the dog successfully does not solve the problem unless you follow up with the owner.

[crtreedude]

Sigh - the last time I mentioned about my feelings about dogs chasing cyclists like this it caused a ruckess...

I agree - tell the owners that you are calling the authorities. Perhaps a better one too would be to let the local dog catcher (these guys still exist up there?) know about the problem, and offer to be a lure... Bet you would see all the dogs penned up really quickly. It cost money to get your dog back.

I had a dog once that when she would get through the fences would cross the road and go to the police barracks - and they would feed her a treat. I would then have to pay a fine. I guess I learned to make a good fence!

[stapfam]

Last night out on a ride and plenty of walkers with dogs about. Most of the owners called their dogs to heel or grabbed hold of them, If they didin't then we slowed down and gave a sarcastic comment to the owner for looking after their dog so well.

As we approached one Big dog that was on a lead and seemed to be in control we had no problems. 5 ft away from the dog and it lunged at my riding partner and he caught it with his foot. We stopped immediately to see if the dog was OK and all we got from the owner was a load of verbal. The owner had it pointed out that as she did not give a hoot about our safety or the safety of her dog- We'll just ride over her next time we see her so she can feel what it is like to be hit by a bike. Just like her dog. No answer to that.

Most dogs will not cause a problem- It's the owners that are the problem.

[Monoborracho]

No suggestions that wouldn't send a PETA posse after me...:D

PETA = People Eating Tasty Animals

[Coyote!]

I've used household ammonia to great advantage on repeat offenders. I'll try all the standard 'go home' stuff as mentioned above, but some dogs just don't respond. Ammonia gets 'em dead square upside the Mazlow's Heirarchy. . .chase bikes or breathe. Pick one.

[velonomad]

Kentucky dogs have nothing over the dogs we have around here, these sons-of-*****es will run your *** over!
http://home.nycap.rr.com/richboat/dogs.jpg

[redden]

Kentucky dogs have nothing over the dogs we have around here, these sons-of-*****es will run your *** over!


At least they're not distracted talking on a cell phone.

[Mojo Slim]

This guy thinks it's hilarious to watch in his mirror until an unsuspecting rider come along, then, blam! he opens the door.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k87/tomfrady/SausDriverr.jpg

[redden]

This guy thinks it's hilarious to watch in his mirror until an unsuspecting rider come along, then, blam! he opens the door.



That Dirty SOB:D

[Mojo Slim]

Plus, he drives a nicer car than I do.

[BikerJoeP]

Yes......move away from Kentucky but dont move to North Carolina:) I jest!!

[bobkat]

Nail em with pepper spray -works great and they never chase a biker again! It's the most humane thing you can do, even if the owner is a jerk like in Stepfams story! (Maybe if the owner is a real jerk you can spray him/her too!)

[NOS88]

Everywhere I seem to go leads into a confortation with a dog. Yesterday afternoon while on a short ride by myself, a dog hits my front tire sending me over the handlebars at 8mph. Last week I fall over because a dog goes for my foot. No major injuries from yesterdays event except road rash and a sore back today. I'm getting too old for this stuff. If it continues I may be forced to not ride at all around the area I live or give up cycling. I actually feel that I'm starting to get paranoid about things running out in front of me.
Any suggestions?


Miatabone: you miss the obvious. Drop the "bone" from the end of your BF name. I mean what dog wouldn't go after you? :)

[gear]

a squirt gun full of ammonia or a frame pump to the head (the dogs not yours); your choice

[Grampy™]

I like to put lemon Juice in my water bottle. One time with a particularly large, agressive dog, I squeezed so hard the lid popped off and the entire contents hit the dog right between the eyes...... you'd have thought I hit him with a sledge hammer. :D

[hockey]

Hey Miatabone. I took a ride on a beautiful country road recently paved. Looked like a dream. After being chased, barked at, teeth bared.....I had it. Only problem was that I had to return using the same route. 8 dogs in 1 km. Sheesh!

[miatatbone]

Here's my letter that's going to the dogs owner. Any suggestions are welcome.

Dear Resident,

There are many cyclist, joggers, walkers etc. that use the roads of southern Indiana for recreation and fitness. Unfortunately, there are obstacles individuals have to deal with in doing this. One of them is a dog that isn’t under the control of its owner. Dogs naturally want to chase things i.e. cars, bikes, joggers, walkers, etc.

Unfortunately in this case, your dog has been involved in an incident / confrontation with a cyclist. The good thing is that up to this point the injuries have been minor to both the cyclist and his equipment and they have chosen not to use their rights and pursue recourse at this time.

There have been several dog incidents in Indiana recently; some resulting is very serious injuries.

You should be informed that if a person is confronted by a dog while riding a bike on a public road, the dog’s owner is liable for the damage to the person and to the bicycle. (Note that most cyclist equipment cost from $1500 - $5000 and are expensive to repair)

Note what Indiana law says …
IC 15-5-12-2 - A dog owner is defined as anyone who gives shelter or food to a dog.

Is there a state “leash law”? Consider the following …
IC 15-5-12-3 - Failure to restrain dog - Penalties.
It is a Class C misdemeanor to recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally fail to take reasonable steps to restrain your dog and the dog enters another’s property (including public property) and as a result bites or attacks someone.

IC 15-5-9-13 - It is a Class C infraction to own or harbor any dog more than 6 months old that does not at all times wear a collar with a metal tag attached as required. It is a Class C infraction to allow your dog to stray beyond your premises unless under the reasonable control of some person, unless the dog is engaged in lawful hunting accompanied by a custodian.

This is Indiana state law and applies throughout the entire state. It is not legal to allow dogs to run free in the country.

A loose dog can be a serious thing and not to be taken lightly. A cyclist traveling 10-30mph and being in an accident because of a dog can result in serious injury or even death. No cyclist wants to be injured, and no homeowner wants to suffer monetary damages, be involved in a lawsuit, or loose their pet.

It is everyone’s right to use our roads in any legal manner, and it is the owner’s duty to train or restrain his dog or any other pet.

The proper authorities will be notified of further incidents.

Sincerely,
Southern Indiana Public Safety Advocate.

[Red Baron]

Were I ride here in Rural KY, I see signs that say:

"F*** the dog, worry about ME"

[Pat]

One solution is to call the Animal Control officer for the county the incident happened in. Some counties have very vigilent animal control offices that levy fines on the owners of loose dogs at the drop of a hat. You would need the address and a description of the dog in your complaint which can be done by phone.

[centexwoody]

our county has no leash law: vigilante justice against aggressive canine packs has been the community's only solution...

[dminor]

our county has no leash law: vigilante justice against aggressive canine packs has been the community's only solution...
+1 here. Dog control comes in three favorite calibers here: .22, .223 and .30

[fmw]

Dogs sense fear. If they think they have the upper hand, they will be aggressive. If they sense that you are meaner than they are, they will back off - usually.
I command the dog to "stop" or "stay" or I say "NO" as I would to my own dog. That usually works. If the dog keeps coming I try a shot of water to the face. If none of that works, I get off the bike, keeping it between me and the dog and start looking for something to hit the dog with.

There you go. I get chased by dogs constantly. If I were afraid to ride where there are dogs I would have to stop riding. 20 or 30 chases in a single ride are not uncommon for me. Go to the National Geographic Channel and look for a program called the Dog Whisperer. He will teach you how to be the boss and how to put the dog in a calmer state. After literally thousands of dog chases, I've only been bitten once and it was pretty minor. I got off the bike and disciplined the pooch. He now stays in his yard when I ride by. The dogs are defending their territory from a perceived intruder. Race them, discipline them, turn them in, kill them, ignore them - whatever - but don't let them get in the way of your riding.

[centexwoody]

Antifreeze seems to be the method of choice around here: less noise & more effective on multiples in a short time.

[trmcgeehan]

Most dogs understand the word NO! Yell it at him repeatedly. If he gets too close, use the water bottle. Even closer, take your hand pump and hit him on the head. Also, you can raise your arm to appear like you are going to throw something at him. You can even carry a few small rocks in your pocket. Most dogs are territorial, and will end the chase once you get past his property. Even the best dogs are only good for 100 yards or so. Most, even the youngs ones, are in lousy shape.
The worst dog I ever encountered was a rolly polly little terrior. Very old, fat, with short legs. He would always be asleep on his front porch, which was only 50 feet from the road. I would try my best to sneak past him quietly. But every time I got even with the porch, he would wake up and be even with me in what seemed like one second, his little legs churning. He would stay with me for 25 yards or so, then poop out. I was the highlight of his day. I don't see him any more. I think he had a coronary. I miss him. He was the highlight of my day. ;-)