Advocacy & Safety - Dealing with Dogs?

I've just started riding again and I am happy to say that every dog that I have seen has been on a leash. I know that it is only a matter of time before I have to deal with one that isn't on a leash and I was hoping to get some ideas on how others stay safe from loose dogs. Thanks, what a great forum!

Honestly I just ride. They usually chase me but I haven't had any bad things happen. The only time it came close is when one got ahead of me and almost cut me off.

Otherwise anything else (like trying to kick it) seems more likely to cause me to kiss pavement.

-D

Airzounds airhorn.

I love dogs... dogs are awesome...
I just can't stand some of their owners!

I ride a bike trail by me and people walk their dogs on it.
What gets my goat is the people that have 50 ft. dog leashes and when you try to pass them they stop to let you go by but don't reel their dog in. So you got the owner on the right side and the dog on the left side and forced to go in between them hoping the dog isn't vicious.

If a dog runs at me, I usually talk to him/her - sometimes I even stop to play.
You can never have too many friends and dogs are much better friends than most people.
Most of the time dogs chase you to play...don't show fear, talk to them or command them "NO!", and you'll be fine.

I've found that a quick squirt from your water bottle to the face of a charging dog will usually allow you enough of a window to crank it up and get away. It's worked in every one of my cases, although if a dog is determined enough to actually attack, water may not be enough of a deterrent.

In those cases, I recommend a big freaking stick. Or a taser.

I was riding yesterday and this old lady was walking her little peanut dog...

The trail is 10 ft wide and she and her little dog just had to take up the whole thing.
As I was riding on the edge of the trail, trying not to slide off into the ditch, I couldn't help but think how funny it would be to ride by at 20 mph and kick a 50 yard field goal with the dog... I would never actually doing it of course, but picturing it made me laugh.

Again, I love dogs... but their owners tick me off!

If a dog runs at me, I usually talk to him/her - sometimes I even stop to play.
You can never have too many friends and dogs are much better friends than most people.
Most of the time dogs chase you to play...don't show fear, talk to them or command them "NO!", and you'll be fine.

+1

for more than 25 years on the road, simply showing a happy face and saying "good doggie" or "go home" or something like that has done me just fine.

if you try and see things from the dog's perspective for a minute, you'll come out of the encounter better.

What I mean is that your feet doing relentless circles right about a dog's eye level can be really enticing to them. Even a good dog can get nippy if you don't get their attention to something else. That's why talking and getting them to react to your voice helps. Gets them to look up.

Also, sometimes a dog (especially if you are in a rural area) has just got loose from thier owner. If the owner is outside and trying to call their dog back, try and stop so the dog doesn't run off following you. The dog owners appreciate that.

If a dog runs at me, I usually talk to him/her - sometimes I even stop to play.
You can never have too many friends and dogs are much better friends than most people.
Most of the time dogs chase you to play...don't show fear, talk to them or command them "NO!", and you'll be fine.

:thumb:
besides I like most dogs I meet better than most people I meet
Roy

Wow. You guys must have run into some great dogs. The scar in my leg says my experience differs just a bit.

Either way, don't always assume that a dog will be a good dog. I did, and ended up in the hospital with stitches because of it. Water doesn't hurt it, and is a good enough deterrent to make sure your ride stays blood free. With dogs, it's better safe than sorry. All it takes is one bad one to make you rethink strategies.

It depends on the situation. Those dogs that just stand and bark as I go by, I ignore. If they seem inclined to chase me, and I'm moving at a pretty good clip, or I have a downhill run coming up, I just sail away from them. But if they're heading toward me and I don't think I can outrun them, I get off the bike and walk, keeping the bike between them and me. I've heard that a rider's height and speed is seen as a challenge to some dogs who are guarding their territory, and the rider appears less threatening when he's off the bike and walking. Whatever the explanation, it's never failed to work for me yet. I just used this trick yesterday morning on two large dogs who were barking and advancing across the street toward me as I started up a hill. When I got off and started walking, they stopped following and just barked as I walked away. When I got to the top of the hill I got back on and rode away, and they didn't pay any further attention.

Of course, dogs can be unpredictable. On my 17th birthday, as I rode out of my driveway, a neighbor's dog that had ignored me for three years ran across the street and bit me on the leg. I didn't even try to avoid him because I never expected him to do that. (He must have been in a bad mood that day, because when the Animal Control people came to pick him up that afternoon, he chased them away. But after that he went back to normal and never bothered me, or anyone else as far as I know, again.)

Has anyone ever tried tossing a dog biscuit? They used to recommend it for runners? I've never had to use them, or even carry them. Of course you'd want to do this in an area you didn't normally ride in so as to not condition the pooch to equate chasing with a free treat.

Dealing with dogs
1. Awareness-keeping and eye open
2. Out run-on flat ground or down hill I can out run most dogs, if one comes in from the side, or front and gets me, that's just bad luck.
2. Out fight-I am mercy-less with the pepper spray. I will kick, hit, and spray a dog as much as possible to keep it from harming me. Nothing is off limits,it's just a dog.

Þæs ofereode, ðisses swa mæg.

Wæs Þu hæl! Spræc Þu Englisc?

beerfilter

I was riding yesterday and this old lady was walking her little peanut dog...

The trail is 10 ft wide and she and her little dog just had to take up the whole thing.
As I was riding on the edge of the trail, trying not to slide off into the ditch, I couldn't help but think how funny it would be to ride by at 20 mph and kick a 50 yard field goal with the dog... I would never actually doing it of course, but picturing it made me laugh.

Again, I love dogs... but their owners tick me off!

Did you yell "coming through", "on your left" or give some other warning? On the paths in my area, I've found the least confusing alert is just to yell "Bike". When I yell "on your left", invariably, they move left. A bell also works. For the very recalcitrant, a air horn does the job.

Wæs Þu hæl!

Or dog spray for the dangerous biters.

Really depends on the dog(s)......... some need to die (yes I am serious)

People who own dnagerous/lethal pits, rotts, etc....need to understand how important it is to keep these particular animals under control. I almost lost my best friend biking over the memorial day weekend courtesy of an unrestrained pit bull/boxer mix who attacked at full speed and literally leaped into us without any warning whatsoever.

All dogs do not pose the same level of threat....... you must deal with them according to their propensity do do serious harm to you. I laugh at chihuahuas, but just as soon shoot a pit bull

Dogs do not attack people for no reason. Yes, sometimes it might seem that way, but the fact is that, just like most other animals, they only go after humans if they feel threatened, they feel their loved ones are threatened, they are extremely hungry, or they are obeying orders/training. The breed does not matter, despite all the old wives tales so many swallow hook, line and sinker.

You want kill pit bulls and such, I play with them. I ain't got no special powers either...dogs can just sense when someone is not afraid and mean them no harm. If you have fear and hatred of dogs, they will pick it up and you will have a bad day. You just can't hide that stuff.

I wish it was as easy as saying 'deal with your fear', but of course it isn't. So by all means protect yourself....I wish I could prevent you having to do so, but I can't.

Dogs do not attack people for no reason. Yes, sometimes it might seem that way, but the fact is that, just like most other animals, they only go after humans if they feel threatened, they feel their loved ones are threatened, they are extremely hungry, or they are obeying orders/training. The breed does not matter, despite all the old wives tales so many swallow hook, line and sinker.

You want kill pit bulls and such, I play with them. I ain't got no special powers either...dogs can just sense when someone is not afraid and mean them no harm. If you have fear and hatred of dogs, they will pick it up and you will have a bad day. You just can't hide that stuff.

I wish it was as easy as saying 'deal with your fear', but of course it isn't. So by all means protect yourself....I wish I could prevent you having to do so, but I can't.

My buddy and I were moving fast (27 mph) down a long hill of maybe 5% grade......... out of nowhere a pit-bull boxer mix came running full speed directly perpendicular to our bikes. We only saw him right before impact, as he leaped from the midpoint/yellow line in the center of the road. He missed me by inches and nailed my friend right behind his front tire.....

The damage?

Broke his shoulder, his collarbone, concussion, skull fracture, broken wrist, 17 stitches above his eye, multiple contusions, road rash, etc and a 3K bike destroyed.

Fear my a**......... deal with that pal

Has anyone ever tried tossing a dog biscuit? They used to recommend it for runners? I've never had to use them, or even carry them. Of course you'd want to do this in an area you didn't normally ride in so as to not condition the pooch to equate chasing with a free treat.
I assume you just didn't think things through...but are you really saying you don't mind conditioning dogs to chase cyclists, as long it won't be you they chase next time?

My buddy and I were moving fast (27 mph) down a long hill of maybe 5% grade......... out of nowhere a pot-bull boxer mix came running full speed directly perpendicular to our bikes. We only saw him right before impact, as he leaped from the midpoint/yellow line in the center of the road. He missed me by inches and nailed my friend right behind his front tire.....

The damage?

Broke his shoulder, his collarbone, concussion, skull fracture, broken wrist, 17 stitches above his eye, multiple contusions, road rash, etc and a 3K bike destroyed.

Fear my a**......... deal with that pal

I have, pal. Now how about reading and understanding what I wrote rather than getting all offended like some jilted lover. The dog didn't attack for no reason...even if the reason was not apparent to you. More importantly, get a hold of your hatred and anger...it will help minimize the odds of a future attack.

Wæs Þu hæl! Spræc Þu Englisc?

beerfilter

Wes ðu hæl! Hu gæþ hit?

Giese, Ic sprece hit lytel, ac ic ræde hit betera.

Dogs do not attack people for no reason. Yes, sometimes it might seem that way, but the fact is that, just like most other animals, they only go after humans if they feel threatened, they feel their loved ones are threatened, they are extremely hungry, or they are obeying orders/training. The breed does not matter, despite all the old wives tales so many swallow hook, line and sinker.

You want kill pit bulls and such, I play with them. I ain't got no special powers either...dogs can just sense when someone is not afraid and mean them no harm. If you have fear and hatred of dogs, they will pick it up and you will have a bad day. You just can't hide that stuff.

I wish it was as easy as saying 'deal with your fear', but of course it isn't. So by all means protect yourself....I wish I could prevent you having to do so, but I can't.

Man, I just love your show on the National Geographic Channel!

You talk about fear and attacks that are never without reason, even if the reason isn't clear to the rider. Well, you've evidently never been seriously hurt in an attack. I never showed fear towards a dog...I treated them all with the same love I show my own dog (who happens to be a pit/terrier mix). The one attack I had against me changed EVERYTHING. Now it's almost impossible not to show a little bit of fear when riding towards an unleashed dog that looks like it could do some damage. No matter how much I try to put that single experience out of my mind, it's almost impossible for me not to start thinking..."What if..."

I don't care how much you love dogs, how much you'd love to think that all of them would be sweet and caring under the right circumstances...all it takes is one viscous, seemingly unprovoked attack to change your entire way of thinking...and everyone, and I mean everyone that's been seriously attacked knows what I'm talking about.

My injuries weren't what Romans friend went through, but I can almost guarantee that before that, he had the same propensity to treat dogs favorably as the rest of us.

Dogs do not attack people for no reason. Yes, sometimes it might seem that way, but the fact is that, just like most other animals, they only go after humans if they feel threatened, they feel their loved ones are threatened, they are extremely hungry, or they are obeying orders/training. The breed does not matter, despite all the old wives tales so many swallow hook, line and sinker.

You want kill pit bulls and such, I play with them. I ain't got no special powers either...dogs can just sense when someone is not afraid and mean them no harm. If you have fear and hatred of dogs, they will pick it up and you will have a bad day. You just can't hide that stuff.

I wish it was as easy as saying 'deal with your fear', but of course it isn't. So by all means protect yourself....I wish I could prevent you having to do so, but I can't.

I agree 100%.

that is my experience, too, and I just thank God that I don't suffer the same afflictions that those other poor people do

there's no need to argue. If you don't have good experiences with dogs, I am truly sorry for you

I have, pal. Now how about reading and understanding what I wrote rather than getting all offended like some jilted lover. The dog didn't attack for no reason...even if the reason was not apparent to you. More importantly, get a hold of your hatred and anger...it will help minimize the odds of a future attack.


no better advice concerning animals and dogs can be given.

Has anyone ever tried tossing a dog biscuit?

I was wondering the same thing until someone said:

"Do you really want to train the dogs that when they run out and chase a cyclist they'll get rewarded???"

I think I gotta agree.

Wow. You guys must have run into some great dogs. The scar in my leg says my experience differs just a bit.

Either way, don't always assume that a dog will be a good dog. I did, and ended up in the hospital with stitches because of it. Water doesn't hurt it, and is a good enough deterrent to make sure your ride stays blood free. With dogs, it's better safe than sorry. All it takes is one bad one to make you rethink strategies.

First off I have most likely been dog bit more than 90% of the people on here combined I have never been seriously bit when I was paying attention
biting dogs bikers see fall into three catagories
trained to be aggressive by the way you will have to mistreat a pit bull to make him (or inbreed them till they are just plain crazy)
Scared
territorial: bred into some dogs for thousands of years to protect the farm
Being alert and knowing the signs of types of aggression will keep you out of trouble
Growing up we usually had around 40 dogs at any given time coon hounds ,rabbit and squirrel dogs field trial and water trial dogs and bird dogs and ratters most of my bites were excited bites from hunting/race dogs
Roy

First off I have most likely been dog bit more than 90% of the people on here combined I have never been seriously bit when I was paying attention
biting dogs bikers see fall into three catagories
trained to be aggressive by the way you will have to mistreat a pit bull to make him (or inbreed them till they are just plain crazy)
Scared
territorial: bred into some dogs for thousands of years to protect the farm
Being alert and knowing the signs of types of aggression will keep you out of trouble
Growing up we usually had around 40 dogs at any given time coon hounds ,rabbit and squirrel dogs field trial and water trial dogs and bird dogs and ratters most of my bites were excited bites from hunting/race dogs
Roy

Never been bit by a dog, unless you count my Presa Canario chewing on my arm. Surprising how soft a mouth he has. If not for the slime he gives a great massage.

Been bit by other animals, but except for one case of a cat getting my finger along with the potato chip (he loved them) they have all been when the animal was hurt, scared or both.

The best I have found "Wasp and Hornet spray"! I have two cycling buddies that have been bitten or knocked off their bikes by dogs. I have actually ran over an agressive dog this spring, luckly I didn't go down, and have to deal with them from time to time. I use to be of the opinion of treating them nice, but I give no quarter now! If you don't want your mutt sprayed, keep'em in your yard!!

BTW we have 3 dogs and they don't run in the street, or run loose!

I come from a Long Distance Backpacking background. I have completed a Thru Hike of the Appalachian Trail (2168.3 miles at the time). We also have to deal with dogs at times. What I usually do if a dog is showing aggression is to pick up a rock and if the dog starts to come closer then I make a throwing motion. Not releasing the rock. This tends to give the dog a pause. I have never had to release the rock but if needed the rock is there. I think doing a version of the same might be worth exploring, make a throwing motion at the dog. Wonder if it would work?

I love dogs and have encountered many while on my bike and tried a variety of techniques from sweet talk and treats to "Halt", airhorns, pumps and water bottles.

Most effective for me has been:

#1- Sprint away. :giver: BUT you've got to be in great shape and know that it triggers an aggressive response in the dogs and if you have to pass by him/her again they will give chase even more vigorously the next time they see you ( or another maybe less suspecting or not so speedy cyclist). It also means in the event of a collision with the dog, or some other obstacle you didn't see because you were concentrating on the dog, you will be going really fast when you crash.

#2- The Water Bottle Squirt in the Face. :twitchy: Combined with the sprint away can be very effective. But even works at slow speeds and at a stop in many cases. I think it breaks the chase response that may have been triggered in the dog. Making nice-nice with the dog after you squirt them in the face can be a bit of a challenge but I've even turned the encounter around at this point on rare occasion.

#3- The "NO!"- A firm command, perfectly timed stops many a dog from aggressing a person. And, like the squirt in the face, breaks the triggered chase response. Sometimes I'll combine it with a point and glare.:notamused:

#4- Make Nice-Nice:love: I love dogs but admit it's a rare occasion I feel compelled to stop on my long distance tour, hilly century, time trial, climb up a 12% grade, or tear down a steep descent to make friendly with some a-holes dog that was never properly trained, cared for, or restrained. But sometimes I'll make an exception and slow down and talk nice to the dog in the hopes that the next time I come by he'll remember me as that goofy guy on the bike that may have been a dog himself in a previous life.

#5-It's War!:troll: Hitting or kicking dogs, throwing rocks, using mace or ammonia. I have found all of these to be somewhat excessive and possibly more telling of the human fear/aggression response than that of the dog. This would be the rarest of weapons in my arsenal and I would be loathe to use them except under the worst of situations. "Halt" can work okay and probably other sprays do too. When they fail, which I've had happen with "Halt", you may find yourself, as I did, resorting to a frenzied combination of all of the above after hurling the canister at the offending cur and riding like a fiend to get away.:speedy:

One of my worst crashes was hitting a dog that shot out of bushes on a steep descent. I was fortunate there were no cars behind me and that I didn't break my hip, which slammed hard to the ground at around 30 mph. I'm sure I broke a rib or two on the dog and the dog's owner offered to shoot the dog on the spot, which I declined. My wife recently was bitten while walking in a park by a dog that the person claimed was "not mine". My wife has no fear of dogs and kept walking right past the dog, which leapt up and bit her on the hand. I was so incensed I stopped the dog with a firm, "NO!" that surprised even me. I then commanded it to sit, which it did, and proceeded to ream the dog "owner" a new one in no uncertain terms.

edit: oops, I forgot one more- The Ignore Them or I don't see you:innocent: This works really well on some dogs. Just don't change a thing. Don't speed up, don't slow down, don't talk to them, don't even look at them, just keep riding. This is a good technique for a normally well behaved neighborhood dog that may simply be in play mode or has been aggressively triggered by your speed or the motion of your feet. Of course, this didn't work for my wife on her recent encounter in the park.

Opinions and experiences vary.

Dogs are a such a small problem I don't even think about them. After many years of canine encounters I've never been in a situation that could not be handled by a reasonably alert and fit person.

Sudden encounters with large dogs bent on attack do happen. So do lightning strikes. I also remain outdoors during storms. I'd rather enjoy dogs and lightning than worry about dangers.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I certainly have enough information to formulate a reasonable plan to deal with any problematic dogs.