Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Want a weapon against dogs on my bike

Any of you high-tech geniuses that could come up with an idea that i could use to point on a attacking dog that comes running up my side?

Some kind of spray is a bad idea i have figured out.
But something electrical mechanism or anything else would be good. Think you have to be creative and figure out something brand new to find the solutions..

Shotgun works fine, but its to heavy and large plus illegal some places.

I have no idea.

I did this when I had a paper route.
Take 12 or so Strike Anywhere Kitchen Matches. Put a rubber band around them. Keep to or three bundles under your seat.
Strike and throw at the dog when he is very near.
A hit on his nose will end his chasing career.
It worked on a Large Fast German Shepard that tried to bite me.
He got it right on the nose.
Never saw the dog again.

Cop strength pepper spray, FTW.

It works great on dogs, and could be used against a two-legged varmint too. Just make sure you get the "stream" and not "fog" dispenser pattern, to avoid problems with blowback.

Fill a water bottle with ammonia...just don't accidently drink out of it! Then hose offending dog's face.

Or, buy a sturdy aluminum frame pump and use it as a billy club to the snout.

Here we go again. :eek:

Any of you high-tech geniuses that could come up with an idea that i could use to point on a attacking dog that comes running up my side?

Some kind of spray is a bad idea i have figured out.
But something electrical mechanism or anything else would be good. Think you have to be creative and figure out something brand new to find the solutions..

Shotgun works fine, but its to heavy and large plus illegal some places.

I have no idea.

A loud voice and some knowledge of dog psychology is the best weapon you have.

Think of it this way: Dogs have been hanging around people for 10,000+ years. They look at us as their pack. We humans also know how yummy we can be to predators and have taken steps to make sure that the predators we have in our homes don't eat us. In other words, a dog that will kill, or even injure, a human doesn't usually get much chance to pass on its traits to offspring. In other words, we kill them before they kill us. We've selected them so that they are cowardly.

Use that to your advantage. As a dog charges, stop your bike and yell 'NO!' or 'GET LOST' or 'F*** OFF' or just about anything...just make it loud. Most dogs will stop and think about it and give up. Plus you are stopped and no longer something worth chasing. For the few that might not stop and keep coming, whacking them with a wheel in the nose will send them packing;)

Well, you could try to take the time to psychoanalyze the beast and hope he likes your couch or you could toss that bundle of lit matches wrapped around an M-80.

you could probably build some sort of lightweight projectile weapon with a co2 cartrige

Always ride with someone else who is slower than you. Or strap that Ceaser guy from the Dog Whisperer show to your rear rack and have him shoosh them away.

Well, you could try to take the time to psychoanalyze the beast and hope he likes your couch or you could toss that bundle of lit matches wrapped around an M-80.

Tossing a bundle of ignited matches around some parts of the country could end you up in a world of trouble. Try explaining why you were throwing fire brands at a dog to the hundred people whose houses you've burned down.

I didn't say you had to psychoanalyze the dog, just understand how to use millennia of conditioning and breeding on them. They are cowards. They were cowards before they decided that we were a meal ticket. They understand that we are a meal ticket and will do whatever is necessary to keep riding the gravy train. Use it against them.

Fill a water bottle with ammonia...just don't accidently drink out of it! Then hose offending dog's face.

+1. Ammonia works really well. You don't even need to spray the dog.


I didn't say you had to psychoanalyze the dog, just understand how to use millennia of conditioning and breeding on them. They are cowards. They were cowards before they decided that we were a meal ticket. They understand that we are a meal ticket and will do whatever is necessary to keep riding the gravy train. Use it against them.

I usually turn my bike around, point it right at them, and chase them instead . The hunter becomes the hunted :twitchy:!

A loud voice and some knowledge of dog psychology is the best weapon you have.

Think of it this way: Dogs have been hanging around people for 10,000+ years. They look at us as their pack. We humans also know how yummy we can be to predators and have taken steps to make sure that the predators we have in our homes don't eat us. In other words, a dog that will kill, or even injure, a human doesn't usually get much chance to pass on its traits to offspring. In other words, we kill them before they kill us. We've selected them so that they are cowardly.

Use that to your advantage. As a dog charges, stop your bike and yell 'NO!' or 'GET LOST' or 'F*** OFF' or just about anything...just make it loud. Most dogs will stop and think about it and give up. Plus you are stopped and no longer something worth chasing. For the few that might not stop and keep coming, whacking them with a wheel in the nose will send them packing;)

That's an effective technique for 95% of singleton dog encounters.

But, for encounters with multiple dogs, or highly agressive single dogs, pepper spray is your friend. I've used it on dogs about 6 times over the last 10 years, and it's worked perfectly every time.

That's an effective technique for 95% of singleton dog encounters.

But, for encounters with multiple dogs, or highly agressive single dogs, pepper spray is your friend. I've used it on dogs about 6 times over the last 10 years, and it's worked perfectly every time.

I have to agree here.........some dogs are very aggressive and territorial. I've had to resort to going on the offensive with one dog and it didn't back down. I had to raise my pump over my head before it went away and still it was looking for me to turn my back. I'm getting some spray and as a last resort I would consider a firearm. A pack of aggressive dogs would be very dangerous. In my area, there were reports years ago, of wild dog packs killing livestock. When out of their domestic situations, dogs revert to the same behaviors as wolves and coyotes. I have some of the same concerns about riding in remote rural areas when it comes to mountain lions, as far as having a method of self defense available.:twitchy:

+1. Ammonia works really well. You don't even need to spray the dog.


I wouldn't use ammonia - rather toxic. Vinegar also works. We used to have a really nasty cat that would come over to our house and wait for our cat to come outdoors so as to pick a fight. We would squirt it in the face with vinegar (ultimately had to use it full strength to dissuade that cat).

Tossing a bundle of ignited matches around some parts of the country could end you up in a world of trouble. Try explaining why you were throwing fire brands at a dog to the hundred people whose houses you've burned down.

I didn't say you had to psychoanalyze the dog, just understand how to use millennia of conditioning and breeding on them. They are cowards. They were cowards before they decided that we were a meal ticket. They understand that we are a meal ticket and will do whatever is necessary to keep riding the gravy train. Use it against them.

Chill, dude. I was joking.

Well i dont know. Good to hear so many creative tips that actually work or work.

So far i think i have to choose pepper or ammonia, pluss getting of the bike and use my bike as a big weapon and have a clear loud angry voice, maybe it would do.

Bears are more easy to temp than insane dogs, but its something with that voice..and a threat.
Like a fellow Norwegian citizen named Lars that completely crossed Canada north areas by foot and skies some years ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFGwX-BjHX8

My favorite used to be the frame pump.

As beast approaches reach down and dismount dual purpose device from frame.

Hold in vertical position by handle while maintaining speed and course.

When beast is in striking distance rotate sharply downward.

Once deployed weapon the will telescope to almost double original length- thus increasing effective range and force of impact.

A solid strike across the snout of a wild beast trying to eat you is quite satisfying.

Alas - I no longer carry a frame pump (mini pump)nor live where dogs roam. The rare event is now handled by

Stopping- Dismount - Keep bike between you and beast.

Stare and walk toward dog. Doing as cyco commune recommends.

I usually turn my bike around, point it right at them, and chase them instead . The hunter becomes the hunted :twitchy:!

+1. I used to use Halt pepper spray. After I ran out, I got fed up with the dogs chasing me. I now turn around and chase them. They freak out to see that a human on a bike can easily keep up with them. I'll chase them home, knock on the owner's door and tell them to keep their dog up 'cause I'm sick and tired of being chased by them! :mad:
Ernest

Here's a way to rig a pepper spray style cannister for quick release with a TwoFish Bikeblock. I have mixed feelings about carrying it that way, but I have done so on occasion.

http://www.ruscelli.com/images/Biking/070926-002a.jpg

Here is another one:

A loud voice and some knowledge of dog psychology is the best weapon you have.

I saw something like this from this forum and decided to use it the next time I got chased. IT DID NOT WORK!

-GadgetAdam

How about an Air Zound? Maybe that would startle the hell out of a dog.

I saw something like this from this forum and decided to use it the next time I got chased. IT DID NOT WORK!

-GadgetAdam

I have not been chased by a dog for close to 20 years. If I see them charging, a very loud "NO!" and ending the chase is very effective. Chemicals, pepper spray, pumps, etc. are only effective if the dog is already chasing you and very, very close. And, with the exception of the pump, many of them can backfire on you. Drinking ammonia water is not a good idea and pepper sprays shot into the wind can come back to blind you. Perfect situation: riding a bike blind:rolleyes:

If yelling at the dog didn't work, did you get bit?

You may want to check but I thought ammonia can blind the dog. In our town, the dogs are very well cared for and well socialized and don't chase me. Out in the county is another story. Pepper spray is good, just in case. Never used it in the ten years I carried it however.

I think that for these kinds of potential situations, there's nothing wrong with being prepared with several options. Yelling, getting the bike between you and the dog, etc., are great first options. But if those things fail, it doesn't hurt to have a back-up plan (hopefully one that you never have to use, but another option nonetheless). I don't look at something like pepper spray as a first option, but I do see it as part of a fall-back plan if other immediately available options fail.

you could probably build some sort of lightweight projectile weapon with a co2 cartrige

You shouldn't use a paintball pistol on a dog.

If you're interested, this one is considered the best on the market right now. It's $260 and it's huge for a pistol.
http://www.pbreview.com/products/reviews/4128/

If yelling at the dog didn't work, did you get bit?

No. But I recently collided with one. I got a broken collarbone, surgery, a plate, and nine stainless steel screws.
This is an interesting thread for me.

Pepper spray is a good back-up option for a number of situations. I think I am more likely to have to use it against a person than a dog. Generally dogs are much better mannered.

Pepper spray is a good back-up option for a number of situations. I think I am more likely to have to use it against a person than a dog. Generally dogs are much better mannered.

Agreed. I *always* carry a canister of LE-type pepper spray on my fanny-pack belt at my right hip. The holster looks very similar to a cellphone holster, so no one even pays any attention to it.

For those who want to carry pepper spray, get some of this (http://www.defensedevices.com/worhotpepspr.html).

If you want to attach it your frame -- which may not be wise as it'll be in plain sight and subject to grab -- get a bicycle mount such as this (http://www.defensedevices.com/bike-mount-bicyle-pepper-spray.html).

If you want to attach it your frame -- which may not be wise as it'll be in plain sight and subject to grab . . .

Yeah, you certainly wouldn't want the dog to leap up and snatch it off the bike before you had a chance to unsheathe it... :p

That kind of thing can be sooooo annoying. :D

How about an Air Zound? Maybe that would startle the hell out of a dog.

+1:thumb:

In the old days when bikes was not often seen standard equipment on a bike was a dogwhip.

In the boer war (south africa) the British brought bikes instead of horses becouse of tze-tze flies. Boers responded with letting dogs chase the biking soldiers. British responded with dogwhips..

Tie the dogs to a bike and ride fast as hell.

If yelling at the dog didn't work, did you get bit?

Every time I ride near my father-in-laws house I get chased by dogs. He lives out in East Texas where people let their dogs roam the country roads. One day I was riding and came up upon a house that had a large sign in the front that said “dogs for sale”. I saw that and thought I hope I don't get chased. Well sure enough about 8 dogs started to run at me. I high tailed it and out ran them. I'm not a sprinter. I'm 5 foot 4 190 pounds and I've only been biking for a year. I got past them and continued to ride. I came to a more traveled road with no shoulder. I whiped out my GPS to see that I can either travel on this busy road for about 2 miles without a shoulder and run the risk of getting hit or go back around where I came from. According to the GPS those were my only 2 choices. Being in east Texas and not many bicyclists out there I thought it would be safer to go back the way I came because someone on a bike is a rare sight out there. When I got near the house I got on the other side of the road and signaled the driver in back of me to back off giving me room to do whatever. I started riding fast and when the dogs saw me they charged. This time there were about 15 of them! I looked at them and yelled in my deepest loudest voice NO! They didn't listen. I got past them but I've been chased many times on back county roads. My fear is getting chased uphill where I won’t be able to outrun them. I should of contacted the local police and filed a complaint but I didn’t. I will next time.

I’m a firm believer in protecting yourself. I come first before someone else’s dog that is running toward me to cause me harm. I carry pepper gel now. It goes farther and has less of a chance of misting than the spray because it’s heavier than liquid. I do know that dogs don’t have tear glands and if I ever had to use it I would feel bad but like I said I come first and if I have to spray a dog, or a pack of dogs to prevent a bite or an attack on me then it’s justified.

I love animals and it’s not the animals fault but if I had to choose between a strangers dog and myself I think I know who I would choose.

-GadgetAdam

(Edit)-I will always try to yell NO at the dog first before moving on to the next step of protecting myself but that only works if the dogs responds to no. I have friends that have house dogs that were never trained what no means.

HI,
they make a liquid for the Postman to carry its not a spray its like a squirt gun aim at the DOg and if it hits his face he will scream and run and hide.
Its worked for me in the past with a large shepard, he would wimper when he saw a bike.
Doug

http://www.mace.com/uploads/products/thumbs/420_252_80146_MaceMuzzleDogRepellent_standalone_1.jpg

Most of the time, you don't need the ammonia, just whatever liquid happens to be in the bottle. I get chased fairly often during the months I live and ride in Mexico where there are no leash laws. Usually, all I have to do is slow down and reach for the bottle and they pull up, but if they persist, as soon as I squirt at them they slap on the binders and give up. They don't like having some unknown substance squirted at them--as if they're thinking, "Dude, is that ACID??". Yelling and making an aggressive turnaround also works as others have suggested. I have to admit though that I had a close one up here north of the border about a week ago. I rode down a dead-end rural road and had a Rottweiler come at me in a full-tilt charge. Fortunately "she" pulled up at the last moment and then her owner called her back. The owner said she just wasn't used to seeing anyone come down their/her road. So, just remember, if all you have is water or Gatorade in a bottle, it may well do the job in many cases. As a last resort use your bike as a barrier and a weapon.

I saw something like this from this forum and decided to use it the next time I got chased. IT DID NOT WORK!

-GadgetAdam

Yes, I tried it also, while walking in a neighborhood. I really stood my ground and used my best/loudest/most commanding voice. Didn't work worth a f**k!!! Maybe the dog was death. Felt like such a fool. Fortunately the dog had no plans to bite me. Or maybe it did work, but he couldn't slow down fast enough - I don't know.

Yes, I tried it also, while walking in a neighborhood. I really stood my ground and used my best/loudest/most commanding voice. Didn't work worth a f**k!!! Maybe the dog was death. Felt like such a fool. Fortunately the dog had no plans to bite me. Or maybe it did work, but he couldn't slow down fast enough - I don't know.

I've found out that squirting them with a water bottle doesn't always work either.

There are a variety of pocket size ultrasonic dog chasers available. They will startle a dog without apparent injury (many people get hostile if you pepper spray their dog).

I've repelled most dogs by waiting until they gallop up within range, then simply squirting them with my water bottle. They don't like it, and usually stop. If they keep coming I stop, get off, and look for a rock to heave at them. Since I live in Arizona, there are plenty of rocks. Most of the canine habitual abusers understand the next action of a person who's just stooped down to pick up something, and they split. On the rare occasion that they don't, I throw the rock. And, rarest of all, I chase them.

I forgot to add: when I chase them, they usually flee. But not always. In the Pyrenees Mountains, for example, the guard dogs of the sheep flocks hold their ground. Then you must wait for the sheep herd to call them off. There's no choice but to sit and wait.

http://www.defensereview.com/stories/crimsontrace/Crimson%20Trace%20at%20IACP%20Miami%202005_6.jpg;)

Nice photo, Nick. But...you should consider not posting images quite so large (1500 pixels is way wider than needed). It fouls up the viewing of the rest of the thread for those of us using smaller monitors. ;)

I forgot to add: when I chase them, they usually flee. But not always. In the Pyrenees Mountains, for example, the guard dogs of the sheep flocks hold their ground. Then you must wait for the sheep herd to call them off. There's no choice but to sit and wait.

Great story except that it makes most the rest of us look rather ordinary. ;)

FWIW, Cyccommute is clearly the voice of reason in this thread lol

I forgot to add: when I chase them, they usually flee. But not always. In the Pyrenees Mountains, for example, the guard dogs of the sheep flocks hold their ground. Then you must wait for the sheep herd to call them off. There's no choice but to sit and wait.

Can't you just yodel them out of the way? :p

As a dog charges, stop your bike and yell 'NO!' or 'GET LOST' or 'F*** OFF' or just about anything...just make it loud. Most dogs will stop and think about it and give up. Plus you are stopped and no longer something worth chasing. For the few that might not stop and keep coming, whacking them with a wheel in the nose will send them packing;)

I had an encounter with a bit bull mix yesterday. I saw it before it saw me, and I slowed down to a stop, hoping it wouldn't notice me and go the other way. Then it saw me and came in my direction. I dismounted, and called out, "Hey, baby! How's my baby?" and did more of a cooing voice than a threatening one. The dog stop in its tracks about ten yards from me, and actually wimpered back. Then it started barking again. I just kind of stayed immobile while it walked by. When I felt it was moving on, I walked my bike up the road a little. When it no longer took any notice of me, I got back on and rode away.

I decided to use a cooing tone because when I was on a group ride the day before, a dog came out and one of the female riders basically did the same thing and the dog just kind of stopped and watched us go by.

I guess if you're using dog psychology, there are two options: Convince the dog that yes, you are in fact a threat, and portray yourself as a threat that the dog doesn't want to mess with. Or try to convince the dog you're not a threat. I guess I would do the latter up until the dog got pretty darn close.

Of course, it helped that I noticed the dog first.

Trouble comes when a dog is upon you before you know what is happening. It's the ones that come out of hiding then attack you that cause problems. When I had my accident, the dog jumped out of some tall weeds right in front of me.
The bottom line is dog owners should keep their pets restrained.
It would be comforting, though, to have a claymore mine on the back of the bike.

Always have a backup plan for when yelling or cooing doesn't work. Then have a backup for when the backup doesn't work.

You'll have to get this guy out of retirement again, though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmJTYfhBiP4

;)

How about a Velo Dog? These originated in France in late 1800s as a defense against dogs for cyclists on their velocipedes. Small, compact and fits in your jersey pocket.....

In my experience, yelling at the dog while running (riding) won't work. You have to stop, stand your ground and mean it. I assume this is because 1) the "chase" is over if you're not on the run and 2) The dogs can usually tell if you're scared, and they'll prey on the fear.

I also always put the bike between myself and the dog. In all my years of riding, there has only been one instance where the dog kept coming, and me swinging the bike at it worked. I have been known to ride with a firearm, but couldn't see myself using it on a domesticated pet. Coyote, fox, rabid fisher, maybe? 2 legged threat? If necessary. Dog? Doubt I have it in me.