Commuting - For the book: Coping with dogs

I know the subject of dogs is commonly discussed on the forum! As you may know, a group of us is working on a commuting book. I'd like your individual opinions, tips and advice on dealing with dogs, for the book.

Posting a comment in this thread will be taken as permission to quote your words in the book. We'll put your name or messageboard nick on your comments!

See
http://www.bikeiowa.com/asp/features/featuresdisplay.asp?ArticleID=302

Originally posted by MichaelW
See
http://www.bikeiowa.com/asp/features/featuresdisplay.asp?ArticleID=302

Great link, Michael!

My experience has been much the same as to what is discussed in stated article/link.

Given the time, I usually look the dog over in an effort to determine his/her intent. If the dog is aggressive, I will shout loudly directly @ him. If that doesn't deter his aggression, I will use water from my water bottle. If still no luck, I'll pull out the can of Halt that I keep snapped to my Camelbak.

To date, I've not had to zap any pooch with the Halt. :D

Yep, looks like a good article. :) I'm looking for personal, individualised comments, tips, and stories, though, which can be quoted in the book. We can't go and lift someone else's article, now, can we? :D

Originally posted by Inkwolf
Yep, looks like a good article. :) I'm looking for personal, individualised comments, tips, and stories, though, which can be quoted in the book. We can't go and lift someone else's article, now, can we? :D

Story #1:

At a particular spot (by a house) on one of my road cycling loops, there are 3 dogs that I know are going to give chase, as they do every time I pass. Luckily, this house is by a good downhill, so I can easily just blow by them and leave them panting in my dust. Two of the dogs are rather large - they could easily do serious damage to my lilly-white behind. One is of the smaller variety.

One day, I ended up doing this particular loop in reverse. Well, you can already surmise what happened next. There was no way I could get away from this motley pack of 3 as the hill was just too steep. I hadn't planned to, but this time ... I went on the offensive.

I pointed my bike directly @ the charging dogs and got out of the saddle and pounded the pedals. I began to loudly shout as I closed in on the still charging animals. Then, it happened.

The dogs all turned and skampered home with their tails between their legs. They were indeed just in it for the chase and pure fun of it! My anxiety turned to amazement as each disappeared from sight.

I now ride that road with absolute confidence that these dogs aren't out to bite me. In fact, I think that we are all friends now. At least we have a mutual respect going on that wasn't there prior to this incident! :D

I read somewhere that dogs are attracted to rapid moving/spinning objects such as your wheels and your pedalling.

I tried it myself in several encouters. I slowed down(but not to a halt) and stop pedalling -- hoping the dog will not bite me. And it has never failed me since. If things get worse(you think it will really bite), the article said dismount. place the bike between you and the dog, and walk away until it looses interest.

And.... I don't know if its really possible.. Don't show your fear!:confused:

Pepper spray. Works wonders on dogs and bike thiefs.

Also good for cars that park in bike lanes. Spray directly into intake vent on hood cowling.

Do not spray on undercover police officers, into the wind, and do not touch eyes or reproductive organs after use.

Local County Animal Control.

If it's very persistent, get off the bike (dismount with the bike betwen you and it), speak to the dog in calm tones (it will then know you are human) and walk away until it's safe to remount.

It is NEVER the fault of the dog, always it's owner and is a training issue.

can you say sprinting training? I knew you could.

Rat poison will take care of any problem dogs along your route.

"Direct Frontal Assault" sums up my technique. Is the dog behind me? Not for long. I'll whip a 180 and go snarling after it, and sometimes chase it right to its front door. Fortunate for them that I haven't invested in any pepper spray just yet.

bac, I think you should call the authorities regarding your problem dogs. If they happen to get into the path of a cyclist who's descending that hill, the cyclist is going down. You owe it to your fellow cyclists to report that, I think. If the authorities ask if you want to press charges, say "yes."

I had a similar thing happen to me. I was walking to work (no health insurance at that time, so no riding), and a loose dog came from its porch, out into the street where I was walking, and bit me in the calf unprovoked. I went after it, chased it to its porch, kicked it off the porch, and rang the doorbell, then knocked. No answer. I saw that there were kids two houses down, playing in the front yard. I continued home and called the authorities, said "yes, I do want to press charges" when they explained that they couldn't do anything beyond talking to the owner, if I didn't.

The dog was impounded for two weeks for a rabies check. The animal-control officer said this was not the first time he'd been called out to deal with this dog. I felt like I'd done my duty to the family with the kids, and never heard any more about it except a confirmation that the dog didn't have rabies.

Originally posted by cycletourist
Rat poison will take care of any problem dogs along your route.

Cures problem of riding with dogs chasing you.

After using rat poison all you'll have to worry about is bending over to pick up the soap in the prison shower.

I won 1 battle on my route, it took two years of calling the police and the dog officer every time the thing chased me up the hill. Finally one day on my way home i saw the owner in the yard and stopped, I asked him, just what in the f*** is it going to take to have you contain you dog? It chases me every day. do I need to destroy it?. He said, "well no sir, I'll just have to keep it on a leash, I didn't know he was doing this, I get home late from work". And the thing hasn't been free to chase me now for a month in a half. My question is, did the police or the dog officer ever talk to this guy? It dosen't seem like it, he responded the first time I talked to him.

If you don't have pepper spray a little household ammonia in a spray bottle will usually keep pest away.

Joe

Originally posted by chewa
After using rat poison all you'll have to worry about is bending over to pick up the soap in the prison shower.

Is it a crime to poison dogs that are running free in the streets?

Is it a crime that is punishable by prison or fine?

Do you advocate sodomy as punishment for people who hurt dogs?

I have been biten before and have learned a few things.
1. Be verbably abusive towards the mangy mutt .
2. Get off your bike and put it between you and the mutt.
3. I use my bike as a weapon( i.e. swing away a said mangy mutt)
I call their bluff and they almost always run off.

thats my .02
Pat

One little hint for when you call the authorities: The dog bit you. Then animal control has to actually do something, not just chastise the owner.

BTW, got this tip from a deputy after we called in a dog problem.

Originally posted by William Karsten
Is it a crime to poison dogs that are running free in the streets?

Yes, if it is not then it should be!


Originally posted by William Karsten


Do you advocate sodomy as punishment for people who hurt dogs?

That would be a yes also. Tho they would be getting off lightly compared to if I caught them.

I once heard one book say that dogs aren't interested in chasing you if they see that you are walking upright like a human. They say, " stand up and point and shout loudly, 'go home'." I personally don't buy that one. However, one time a dog chased me and it was huge and aggressive. I stood up while on the bike and shouted "go home." It momentarily distracted the dog and that milisecond it was distracted gave me time to sprint away successfully. One time a dog came flying out of nowhere and pounced on me, knocking both me and my bike down a ravine. I went to seek help from a neighbor for my wounds and found out that that dog had been attacking other cyclists. The neighbor called the police and the police had a good long talk with the dogs owner.

Seems like there were a lot of dogs out today. All responded well to "hello go home now" except one I slowed up before I said anything and scared it off before I could speak. Which brings up the other option stop! Then shout and act aggressive. With dogs it's a game if you chase them then they run off.

Joe

Try to relax and just cruise along, If the dog can sense you are afraid it will keep up the chase.

Originally posted by KevinG
Yes, if it is not then it should be!



That would be a yes also. Tho they would be getting off lightly compared to if I caught them. What we need is something that's harmless to the dogs, but gives them a fantastic case of gas to punish their owners with :D

A short burst from a 50 calibre machine gun mounted on the back rack usually does the trick.

My first tip is, if you are on the road and a dog starts chasing, don't focus on the dog unless you are truly in danger.

The biggest danger I feel is that when distracted by a dog, it's easy to veer off course and into traffic or an obstacle. If you are on a regular route, any dog that chases can be controlled by calling Animal Control.

Originally posted by William Karsten
Is it a crime to poison dogs that are running free in the streets?

Is it a crime that is punishable by prison or fine?



click for complete article:

http://dailybeacon.utk.edu/article.php/8333

Man accused of poisoning dogs
The Associated Press
Volume 91 Number 66
Monday, November 25, 2002

HUNTINGDON, Tenn. - A meter reader for the Carroll County Electric Department is accused of poisoning more than a dozen dogs, at least eight of which died.

Vernice Dewayne Montgomery was charged Thursday with eight counts of intentionally killing an animal, according to a Carroll County Sheriff's report. He is free on $4,000 bond.

Montgomery, of McKenzie, could not be reached by The Jackson Sun for comment late Friday.

He was fired immediately after being arrested, said Lynn Compton, general manager of the Carroll County Electric Department.

It's also a crime to poison wildlife, and against the law to use any poison in a manner inconsistent with it's labeling, such as using
rat poison to kill a raccoon.

See also:

http://www.boston.com/news/daily/07/weston.htm

Former restaurant owner jailed for poisoning dogs
By Associated Press, 04/07/01


BENNINGTON, Vt. -- A 76-year-old Weston man has been sentenced to serve 14 days in jail for poisoning two dogs with antifreeze.

Haig Bogossian, the former owner of Haig's Restaurant in Winhall, ordered a cook to put out a tray full of meat laced with the sweet-tasting poison after the restaurant's garbage was disturbed by animals in October 1999. The dogs that were poisoned were later destroyed.

I was listening to a dog behavior expert on NPR a few weeks ago in Seattle. One women called saying she was a jogger and often encountered a hostile dog along the route. The expert suggested carrying some treats to give the dog so that next time, the dog sees her as a friend, not a foe. (This 'expert' didn't address the question of why this dog was not leased to start with.)

Maybe if bicyclists did this, an aggressive dog would not attack the next cyclist.

Anyway, I know this runs counter to other suggestions in this thread, and I don't speak from personal exerience, but I thought I would throw this idea out there as a point to ponder.

"I was listening to a dog behavior expert on NPR a few weeks ago in Seattle. One women called saying she was a jogger and often encountered a hostile dog along the route. The expert suggested carrying some treats to give the dog so that next time, the dog sees her as a friend, not a foe. "

That'll teach'm hit 'em with a steak
:beer:

Joe

Where I live it is not illegal to shoot unleashed dogs, although the sherriff prefers that we call animal control. Sometimes I do call - it just depends on the situation. Whenever I see a stray (lots of dogs get dumped in my neighboorhood) I call animal control and have it picked up. But if I see a dog sniffing around my chickens I just shoot the damn thing and don't waste time on phone calls.

Originally posted by cycletourist
Where I live it is not illegal to shoot unleashed dogs, ...if I see a dog sniffing around my chickens I just shoot the damn thing and don't waste time on phone calls.

You clearly live in a different situation than I do. I own a dog, not chickens, and I understand that dogs are not born bad. MOST dogs I known do not want trouble, and most do not judge absolutely, and further most are fairly intelligent.

Originally posted by Repp5
You clearly live in a different situation than I do. I own a dog, not chickens, and I understand that dogs are not born bad. MOST dogs I known do not want trouble, and most do not judge absolutely, and further most are fairly intelligent.


Yes, most dogs aren't born bad, but unfortunately some of their owners are. While I don't necessarily agree with "just shoot the damn thing", I do think something should be done about it.

P.S. I'm off to edit that little cheap insult out of your post. If you could please refrain from personal attacks in future, it would be much appreciated.

Originally posted by Chris L
I'm off to edit that little cheap insult out of your post. If you could please refrain from personal attacks in future, it would be much appreciated.

I apologize, and I will.

What cheap insult? Did I miss something?

Again, I'm going to be oblivious and not read all the posts in this thread :D

The way I have dealt with dogs is to do disgusting goo goo baby talk to them. They either wag their tails thinking I'm going to stop and pet them, or stand very still and look at me funny. I don't recall any of them running towards me at all. I don't know if that's becuase it just hasn't happened yet or if the goo goo talk did the trick :D Maybe I just smell really bad.

I know this may seem strange for a bike-commuter with 6+ years and thousands of miles under his belt and living in a populated area, but I've never been so much as barked at by dogs. Well, OK, I've been barked at but I've never been chased by a vicious dog. There was (exactly) one time that a dog ran after me at a good clip and startled me but I think (s)he was just playing around.

That's it, after all this time. I guess I'm blessed after hearing all the tales on this thread and others.

Originally posted by cycletourist
What cheap insult? Did I miss something?

You were probably asleep when I did it. I edited Rapp's post to remove a snide comment directed toward yourself. However, it wasn't anything major, and he has now apologised, so I consider the matter closed. Hey, what about the irony here? It used to be you editing my posts on the old bicycle forum site.

Originally posted by Chris L
You were probably asleep when I did it. I edited Rapp's post to remove a snide comment directed toward yourself. However, it wasn't anything major, and he has now apologised, so I consider the matter closed.

Insults don't bother me. At least I know someone is reading my posts :-)


Hey, what about the irony here? It used to be you editing my posts on the old bicycle forum site.

Now that's funny :-)

Originally posted by cycletourist
Insults don't bother me. At least I know someone is reading my posts :-)

Our attitudes diverge on a barking dog, but the attitude displayed above is great! And one I will take a lesson from...

Originally posted by Andy Dreisch
I know this may seem strange for a bike-commuter with 6+ years and thousands of miles under his belt and living in a populated area, but I've never been...chased by a vicious dog.
Not strange at all.

My plan is similar to many of those posted, and comes from painful experience.

1. Ride faster..
2. If 1 fails, get off the bike and put it between you and offending animal..

My original method was to disengage my foot from the pedal and madly wave it in the direction of the dog, hoping to connect. About all this does is either cause you to wobble or fall off, and present an easier target to the dog.

I outran a Rottwieler once. On weekdays it would be behind a big fence, gate closed, and we'd snarl at each other each day on my commute. One Saturday I rode slowly past..the gate was open.. and we both realised at the same time (I could see it on the dog's face, like a light bulb coming on, when he realised the gate was open). So I legged it, on my single gear bike, with him chasing me..I could feel his breath on the backs of my legs (I'm sure). Verrrry close!

The second plan worked a few months ago (fortunately for me) with a Doberman I got to a big hill, this time with nine cogs, and knew there was no chance of even going close to outrunning this thing. So I jumped off, and put the bike between me and Fido. Fortunately for me she lost interest immediately.

A squirt from a water bottle can be very effective in causing the dog to pause for a crucial split second, which can let you put sufficient distance between you and it for the dog to lose interest in the chase. However, I agree with the others. If ever you can't get away, put your bike between yourself and the dog.

In the long term, calling your local council or the cops may solve a problem that wouldn't go away otherwise.

Originally posted by Chris L
P.S. I'm off to edit that little cheap insult out of your post. Careful Chris, that could come across as an insult as well.

Brendon
:beer:

A few thoughts on dogs . . .

1. There are two cyclists in my small town who have hit dogs in the past few years, resulting in massive spills, injuries and bent bikes. These dogs ran directly in front of their bikes on a high speed down hill. Don't think that dogs won't run in front of your bike. One of the cyclists was in a coma for three days, but is okay now. Dogs can be really stupid! In rural areas like mine, deer can also be a problem. Last year, I had a huge buck bolt right in front of me out of nowhere when I was doing 40 mph down a hill. It was close.

2. Yesterday, I saw a great dog scene. This guy (Hulk Hogan type) had a Harley with a side car. He had three dogs in the side car, and they were having a ball! (no helmets or goggles, though). :D I once had a friend with a motorcycle and a side car. It wasn't really an enclosed side car, but more of a flat platform on wheels. He had an old dog who loved to ride with him, and no matter what he did, that dog stayed on the platform. His favorite trick was to hike the sidecar over fire hydrants, but the dog stayed on regardless!