General Cycling Discussion - New rider-How do you deal with dogs that chase you?

I just started riding and in the short time I have been back in the saddle I have learned that I need to learn how to deal with threatening or chasing dogs? I am a dog owner and lover myself but do not want to get bitten or chased if I can avoid it. I assume simply outrunning the dog if possible is the desired avoidance technique but what if they catch or corner you-pepper spray? Had a big thick dobie look at me like he wanted to get to know me better and just kept going fast to get away but I want to be ready the next time.Advice?

just type dogs in the quick search box, you'll find a ton of threads on the subject. lots of good info :)

I can't ride fast enough to outrun them (yet), so my technique is to shout at the top of my lungs (and I've got good lungs) as I'm screeching to a halt. Most of the time, the dog just thinks that fast-moving thing looks like a great game, so now I'm really boring. The rest of the time, my goal is to convince him that I'm bigger and meaner than he is. If I really feel threatened, which is fortunately rare, I'm off the bike with the bike between me and the dog. I reckon that the bike itself would make a good weapon in a pinch, but so far haven't had to defend myself.

An interesting side effect of the shouting technique is that, as I regularly ride the same route and it's usually around 5AM, I know I'm waking people up with my screaming ... and over the last month fences have started going up between the road and those dogs. :p

There are a number of strategies.

Most dogs, not all but most, are cowardly and will not press home an attack on a person who has stopped. Fleeing seems to bring out a chase response in dogs.

Most dogs are territorial. They chase cyclists because they are near their "home". Oddly enough, dogs almost never chase one group of cyclists and then chase another. They seem to have to go back to the yard to "tag up" before they can chase again. And most dogs will stop pursuing in a relatively short distance.

Dogs seem to have individual rules. Some dogs will not leave their yard, they will run along the border of the yard and bark. Other dogs will come out and run along the side of the road. A few dogs will come out into the road, but relatively few.

Also, I have seen very few dogs, who acted like they even were thinking about biting. Most just run and bark. Of course, if the dog comes out in the road, they can get under your front wheel and that makes you go over the bars and land on your head and suffer a very serious injury.

Another point is that few dogs can sustain over 20 mph. A large dog can go over that but 25 mph is rare and the fastest I have seen a dog go is around 28 mph. Greyhounds are known to hit speeds just a tad over 40 mph but not for very far and I have never even seen a greyhound chase anyone.

So there are several basic strategies.

1) Stop and talk to the dog. Keep your bike between you and the dog. Walk out of the dog's territory. This works well for slower riders. You can do a more aggressive version of this and that is faking picking up rocks and throwing them at the dog. Dogs will dodge imaginary rocks for some reason.

2) The other version is just motor on by. If you are fast, this works pretty well. If a dog gets close, you can squirt a jet of water from your water bottle at them. Dogs will dodge the blast. I got jumped by large dog at a hill top and I got out my water bottle and it was empty. And the dog was sizing up my calf for a fast bite so I threw my water bottle into his face. The dog took off like a scalded cat.

On a mountain bike ride with a group of friends yesterday, I dealt with two dogs. The first one was small and mean-looking. He came at me from the rear on my left hand side. I took a big slurp off my camelbak, and when he was in easy range, I spat it in his face. He stopped, snorted and shook his head. This technique works sometimes, but requires good aim.

The second dog was larger. He came loping across his yard toward us. I yelled "HEY! Go home!" very, very loudly. The dog stopped and watched us go by, but the rider on my right said, "O.K. I'll go home now." Sometimes yelling commands like "Stay!" "Halt!" and "Sit!" works.

I have, on occasion, had to stop, put the bike between myself and the dog, and tell the dog to go home.

Most dogs can be outsprinted. The dogs that I find scariest are the ones that try to get in front of my wheel.

I've never resorted to using pepper mace, but friends have told me it works.

I just stop and bark back at the dog. It confuses the hell out of them.

Originally posted by Aggressor
I just stop and bark back at the dog. It confuses the hell out of them.

Some dogs may take that as a challenge. I bark at squirrels in the road, though.

some of these techiniques could be dangerous as the dogs would think they're being attacked. what i do is yell at them to sit, stay, or go home. i got bit in the shoe (didnt break the skin) cause of this mean dog and the owner was right there and didnt even say sorry

I have found the best response is to shout "NO!" in a deep commanding voice. More often than not, the dog will either stop or at least slow up long enough to no longer be a threat.

I usually just keep riding. Every dog I've ran into is all bark and no bite. I've yet to have a dog actually attack me on a bike. Most of the time, they just want to chase.

However, I do carry a can of pepper spray. I mostly carry it for humans, but I would use it on a dog if need be.

Shadowrider

If the owner was there and didn't make any effort to help or say sorry I might have bit him.

Seriously this has been cussed and discussed for ever do a search and get gobs of good info.

Joe

Originally posted by Aggressor
I just stop and bark back at the dog. It confuses the hell out of them.

Now that's a new one on me! And if the dogs up here are as stupid as the majority of the people (I haven't quite concluded who is actually stupider of those groups) it might just work!

I normally go for a squirt of the water bottle, which will often give the dog that moment of doubt, giving you some time to put some distance between yourself and the dog. If, however, you don't have the speed to outrun the dog, you're best to stop and position the bicycle between yourself and the dog. Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are vicious, and stopping will not necessarily mean that you get eaten alive.

I'd also recommend talking to the owner, although I rarely (if ever) do that myself because of the high percentage of dropkicks around here. Failing that, you could call the cops and have something done about a dog that is repeatedly causing problems.

Take your hand pump from your frame or wherever and whack em in the nose.

j/k don't do that.

Originally posted by Chi
Take your hand pump from your frame or wherever and whack em in the nose.

j/k don't do that.

It really does work though. :D

Just mace 'em...

It depends in the mood of the dog hehe :) I usually try to stop because of fear that the dog will tip me over which would mean that the dog and me would be injured.

If the owner is really close I just stop and they take care of their dog, if the owner is further away I'm a bit more careful since the dog might try to protect its owner.

If the dog is alone I just stop if the dog doesn't seem that agressive. Most dogs feels insecure without their owner (if they aren't on their turf) which means that they don't attack. However if the dog is a pitbull or something like that I just go for it, they don't seem to think like other dogs do.

I carry my own dog!!!

Seriously though, most dogs I have run into have been all bark, and no bite. Judging from my own dog's reaction to 'water training', a well aimed squirt from a water bottle just might work.

I do really carry my own dog, most of the time!

Now thats a cute dog! Nice rig to haul the dog in too.

I appreciate all the suggestions and am making notes for my ride this afternoon. I will be more "dog aware" and prepared for a chase next time on my bike now. Thanks!

Originally posted by RegularGuy
Some dogs may take that as a challenge. I bark at squirrels in the road, though.

squirrels have feelings too!

I have used pepper spray with some success . However stopping and getting off will usually cause them to go back.
If you know how to read a dog by his posteur you can figure out if he is bluffing.
I did have an experence with one large Lab that used to chase me . I had just got run off the road by a couple of young kids that were not paying attention , when I came to the yard that the Lab was from. I was still so mad that I could have bit nails , when the Lab came out on the road I turned my bike around and chased him back inti his yard.
I have ridden by him numerous times since then and he will not come out to the road.

I just give 'em a shot of water right between the eyes. That's usually enough to make them run for cover. It's the little tiny dogs that scare me the most. I'm always afraid they are gonna run in front of my front wheel and make me crash. I see that happeneing before any big dog actually bites me. If there is ever a time I find a dog that seems to be especially vicious(pit bulls and dobermans are a little intimidating) I just won't go that way ever again. Most of the time you can tell by their demeanor(sp?) whether they are out to hurt you or just making noise.

I live in Alaska so I don't see too many cyclists,
but.....in response to the question about what to do about dogs I have a few words of advice.
If you are not near anyones home or fenced property, stop. Odds are that the dog is chasing you because he thinks it is fun or wants to know what you are doing. Much the same with dogs who chase cars. If you stop the dog will probably do one of two things. One, he will try to approach you in a friendly manner. Pet him or tell him to go away or whatever. If the owner is responsible he should be nearby. He should also call his dog back and hold onto him at least until you are out of view. However, the dog may stand and bark or lunge at you. Try walking away facing the dog but not making eye contact. If you see the owner, alert them to the problem and tell them if it happens again you will complain to animal control.
I have two malemute-border collies and one loves to run along side bicycles. Dogs were bred to run, and they love anything that moves. he does this completely non-aggresively, but I see that it could be a nuisance to the rider.
Also, I don't reccommend trying to outrun the dog. I frequently "walk" my dogs by taking them on a back road and running them behind the car at thirty miles an hour for 2.5 miles. (by the way its a private road so nobody get EXCITED). My dogs can sustain high speeds for a lot longer than any human, even on a bike.
Good luck, and remember that more people get injured by toasters every year than get bit by dogs. There's something to be afraid of!

""Good luck, and remember that more people get injured by toasters every year than get bit by dogs. There's something to be afraid of!""

In 35 years I have never been injured by a toaster, but 3 months ago I got bit by a dog while riding. LOL

Squirt them with yout water bottle.

I've found that it's actually pretty tricky to get a good
"shot" into a dogs face while riding. I suppose one should stop to have a better chance for success with the spray but I've never tried it that way. Because I
generally ride the same routes, I know where/when to get ready for dogs & I know which ones are usually
aggressive or not. I will highly recommend the use of pepper spray for the defense against dogs. I don't consider it unreasonable or extreme. On the flip side of this, it's only happened one time, but there is a dog owner here who knows how to control his animals. While on a ride when I approached the fellow walking with his
dogs (that were not leashed), he gave some voice commands that stopped the animals & I simply rode past. Now that just blew me away. I never had the opportunity to thank the guy. A fellow cyclist always says..."there's no such thing a a bad dog, just bad dog owners."

I've found that it's actually pretty tricky to get a good
"shot" into a dogs face while riding. I suppose one should stop to have a better chance for success with the spray but I've never tried it that way. Because I
generally ride the same routes, I know where/when to get ready for dogs & I know which ones are usually
aggressive or not. I will highly recommend the use of pepper spray for the defense against dogs. I don't consider it unreasonable or extreme. On the flip side of this, it's only happened one time, but there is a dog owner here who knows how to control his animals. While on a ride when I approached the fellow walking with his
dogs (that were not leashed), he gave some voice commands that stopped the animals & I simply rode past. Now that just blew me away. I never had the opportunity to thank the guy. A fellow cyclist always says..."there's no such thing a a bad dog, just bad dog owners."
Its not the owner running after you to give ya a bit.

I pulled out my water bottle to squirt a rather large dog just as he was gonna taste my right calf, I must have been excited and squeezed the water bottle to hard. The cap came off and the entire contents of the water bottle (water with lemon juice) hit the dog square in the face. You'd have thought I hit him with a hammer. On the way back he just stood in his yard and barked. :D

kick em' in the teeth.

kick em' in the teeth.
Having been a meter reader that is about the worst thing you could ever do. It may get you by, but every cyclist that dog meets from then on will pay the price.

so your saying that doesnt teach them a lesson. Just makes them meaner?
I usually use the water bottle but one day I got fed up with a dog that always chases me and kicked him in the teeth. Havn't been by there since. I just figured it would teach him a lesson.

It may make him meaner to cyclist. Depending on his personality, it may 'teach' him, but it may make him more aggressive specifically to cyclist. Dogs are highly conditionable, that's why the are good for teaching tricks, unfortunately they are easy to teach bad behavior as well. A dog that is treated poorly by a cyclist will associate all things that look like cyclist as something that is going to treat him poorly, if he is docile, such conditioning will cause him to hide, if aggressive, he will be more so around cyclist. While I was a meter reader we got the company I worked for to allow us to wear everyday civilian clothing in a certain area because a UPS employee treated dogs so badly in that area. Getting rid of our brown utility uniforms dropped aggressive dog incidents and bites by almost 80% in that area. There are great 'doggy psychology' schools companies can send their employees to who are in regular contact with strange dogs. The results, when you employ the techniques, are simply stunning, it's like mind control! :D Maybe they'll get a school for 'chick psycology'... ;)

In my former life as a runner I used an electronic device which emitted an ultrasonic tone which was apparently very painful for dogs, especially the large breeds. Go to Google and search on eletronic dog repellent. The problem was that it worked like magic for a while then lost effectiveness, even with new batteries. The manufacturer claimed that this drop-off in effectiveness was impossible, but all my friends observed the same pheonomenon. It was great while it lasted, though.

I also used pepper spray with good results. You need the kind that produces a coherent stream rather than a spray. It makes a lasting impression on dogs. The problem here was that I'd invariably get some on myself and it would burn like hell. I once unknowingly got it on my gloves and "watered the shrubbery". This was a very bad thing.

pedal wrench

Better than a water bottle squirt; try this:

I was riding about two months ago and didn't have my HALT with me. A dog started chasing me and I just couldn't outrun it. It came close to my leg and I was sure I was going to get bit. I had tried yelling, "No" and all that stuff. I stopped pedaling so that if I was bit, at least I wouldn't rip the wound by rotating my legs.

As soon as I stopped pedaling and started coasting, the dog stopped, turned around and walked away. Apparently my legs rotating in somewhat of a running motion stimulated the attack mode with the dog. As soon as the legs stopped, the dog stopped.

Yes, the rotating legs drive them nuts... I do have halt but rarely carry it..
Seems the best, most reliable way..Know where they are at and stay away. Seems on busy highways with fewer residencies about dogs are less common.

Yes, the rotating legs drive them nuts... I do have halt but rarely carry it..
Seems the best, most reliable way..Know where they are at and stay away. Seems on busy highways with fewer residencies about dogs are less common.

What is "halt"?

What is "halt"?
Halt is like a Pepper Spray..Legal in California...What I fear about such aerosol cans, some of the spray can come back at you and not the dog... Guess, that is probably why I don't carry it...

Interesting topic. I had my first dog encounter today actually. Riding on a trail near my home I met an owner who had his dog off-leash (illegal). I slowed way down as I approached and he told the dog to sit - it did. As I got closer, however, it got up (as the idiot owner protested - but didn't move a muscle) and moved toward me. At this point I could see it was a friendly dog with a big goofy "smile" and tail wagging. Still, it came right in front of my tire and I had to swerve and eventually stop. The owner apologized all over himself and I didn't make a big deal over it. Now I wish I had said something because the dog really could've made me crash had I not been riding slowly and unclipped. :rolleyes:

On a related note, my sister is actually a dog trainer and highly recommends the product "Direct Stop" - http://fritzsplace.com/direct_stop.html. It uses harmless citronella (like the mosquito sprays/lamps) but - according to her - really works well. The only thing is that means another thing to carry on your person or hydration pack, etc.

Riding trails with a lot of wildlife, I'm actually more concerned about running into some nasty wildlife. I have a feeling it might take a bit more than some water bottle spray or Direct Stop to calm a bear, mountain lion or angry buck...