General Cycling Discussion - When dogs attack!

***Rant Ahead***

I went on a ride this afternoon and I have taken this route dozens of time before with no problem; today was different. I rounded a corner after just passing a 'target" (slow rider) and next thing I know there is barking and I look to my side and there is this huge golden colored dog running up to me. It catches me off guard and I roll left only to see another even bigger black dog on that side. I was going like 22 mph and cranked it up a few more but these buggers kept pace and ran me off the road into the gravel. I recovered and they finally gave up pursuit. Man was I pissed! I heard the stupid farmer calling his dogs back then. I yelled for him to keep his fu****g dogs on a leash. Scared the heck out of me and now I'm somewhat concerned about going back on that route.
ALso i wonder how that second rider faired....

***Rant Ahead***

I went on a ride this afternoon and I have taken this route dozens of time before with no problem; today was different. I rounded a corner after just passing a 'target" (slow rider) and next thing I know there is barking and I look to my side and there is this huge golden colored dog running up to me. It catches me off guard and I roll left only to see another even bigger black dog on that side. I was going like 22 mph and cranked it up a few more but these buggers kept pace and ran me off the road into the gravel. I recovered and they finally gave up pursuit. Man was I pissed! I heard the stupid farmer calling his dogs back then. I yelled for him to keep his fu****g dogs on a lease. Scared the heck out of me and now I'm somewhat concerned about going back on that route.

Dogs can very seldom be kept on a lease, due their inabilty to sign contracts. They can and should be kept on leash or restrained with a fence.

You might consider reporting the incident to the local police. Also, some people report good luck with stopping the bike, keeping between you and the dogs, and shouting, "NO" or "GO HOME". Other swear by various sprays, water bottle squirts, tire pumps, or increasing your sprint speed.

Good luck,
Paul

You don't have to be faster than the dogs, just the other rider. :D

All I could think was GO FASTER, GO FASTER! Then I thought good thing I have on Carbon Fiber shoes. LOL

The best way to get a dog to stop other than outriding them is squirt your water bottle at them.. They will see the liquid coming at them and usually stop in there tracks.. This has worked for me many times.. If you use a camelbak you need to just ride faster..

***Rant Ahead***

I went on a ride this afternoon and I have taken this route dozens of time before with no problem; today was different. I rounded a corner after just passing a 'target" (slow rider) and next thing I know there is barking and I look to my side and there is this huge golden colored dog running up to me. It catches me off guard and I roll left only to see another even bigger black dog on that side. I was going like 22 mph and cranked it up a few more but these buggers kept pace and ran me off the road into the gravel. I recovered and they finally gave up pursuit. Man was I pissed! I heard the stupid farmer calling his dogs back then. I yelled for him to keep his fu****g dogs on a leash. Scared the heck out of me and now I'm somewhat concerned about going back on that route.
ALso i wonder how that second rider faired....

I know the feeling. I got chased once by a pitbull after about 40 miles. It was up a slight incline, I first tried to outrun him and he stayed right on me. :mad: I thought I was toast and then he decided to give up. I stopped about a 1/4 mile down and I thought my heart was going to explode out of my chest.

I know the feeling. I got chased once by a pitbull after about 40 miles. It was up a slight incline, I first tried to outrun him and he stayed right on me. :mad: I thought I was toast and then he decided to give up. I stopped about a 1/4 mile down and I thought my heart was going to explode out of my chest.
LOL 40 miles? That's one motivated doggy. Oh wait I think you meant after you rode 40 miles the dog came up to you right???
It really did scare me though. This was my first dog run-in on the bike. Doesn't help that I was bitten by a Siberian Husky a few years back and am still a bit gun shy.

Being faster than the other riders in my experience means the dogs chase you and
the riders behind get a pass more often than not. Out running a dog that has a
leg length of more than 12-14" means you have to get up to 26mph or more. Most
dogs are good for 20-24mph, but a few can go 30mph and they don't know about
lactate. Your best bet is to pay attention to the road and drop into a gear that
lets you spin at 100-110rpm, then the feet and legs are moving so fast the dog has
a hard time biting. A straight or relatively straight line is better, it is easy to lose
control trying to steer away from a dog. Pay very close attention to a dog in front
of you as even a chihuahua will knock you down if you hit it with the front wheel.
Steve

pepper spray, cops, animal control, thourough talk with owner.

I find dogs only give chase going uphill.

I guess the theory sucks if the dog really does have ill intent, but most dogs stop chasing you if you stop. They don't really seem to know what to do. Of course, I always dismount on the side where the dog isn't.

I've been chased by several (sets of) dogs on one route but I don't get upset about it. I usually whistle at them and keep on pedaling. After a short distance they give up and go home.

I also don't stop, why would I? I don't squirt water at them, I need it more than the dog but the pepper spray sounds like a good idea.

I never have been bitten but that doesn't mean I won't be in the the future but I usually don't worry about it.

Slow down and use Pepper Spray.

I've found that dogs aren't actually trying to attack, they just want to run with you. If I see a dog coming at me, I just ignore it and keep on riding the same way I was. The dog reaches me and just starts running along side me watching me ride for a while before it gets tired and goes away :)

I usually try telling the dog to go home or to get back, etc.

If my talking fails, and the dog gives chase, I will use pepper spray, which is very effective and seems to teach the dog to leave me alone. At least, sprayed dogs rarely bother me a second time.

lol...I bark at all the dogs I see almong my route...they are usually barking their heads off when I approach...

I've been chased by several (sets of) dogs on one route but I don't get upset about it. I usually whistle at them and keep on pedaling. After a short distance they give up and go home.

I also don't stop, why would I? I don't squirt water at them, I need it more than the dog but the pepper spray sounds like a good idea.

I never have been bitten but that doesn't mean I won't be in the the future but I usually don't worry about it.

That's been my experience too. There is no doubt at all in my mind that dogs somehow sense bicyclists who are afraid of dogs and those are the riders they harrass.

My son, who was about 12 or 13 at the time, and I were riding our tandem with a group of about 5 riders on singles. As we passed a rural house, a group of five dogs came out to say "hello." We watched as the five single riders all grabbed for water bottles, pumps and one woman had some sort of high tech device. We did nothing. After a few seconds, each single rider had a chasing dog barking at their heels while we were left entirely alone. My son thought that it was really funny.

When my wife and I ride our tandem, she talks baby talk to the dogs. "Hello baby. How you doing to day bowser?" Mostly the dogs stop barking and just prance along side looking up at her until they get tired.

My favorite dog story involved a friend named Bill. We were riding in a rural area of southern Michigan when a medium sized dog came charging full tilt down a hill toward us. Bill shouted "Sit." and that dog planted all four paws and did a couple of summersaults before coming to a halt in a perfect sit position. It was great!

I've never been bitten by a dog while riding my bike. I've had a couple of occassions when I was unable to avoid T-boning dogs who ran in front of my bike while trying to harrass another rider.

My favorite dog story involved a friend named Bill. We were riding in a rural area of southern Michigan when a medium sized dog came charging full tilt down a hill toward us. Bill shouted "Sit." and that dog planted all four paws and did a couple of summersaults before coming to a halt in a perfect sit position. It was great!



Thats the BEST dog story I have ever read here :roflmao:
I'll have to remember that one!

There is no doubt at all in my mind that dogs somehow sense bicyclists who are afraid of dogs and those are the riders they harrass.

I agree with Retro. I believe different dogs require different actions, but for most dogs I

Speak nicely to the dog. Call him buddy or fella.
If the dog continues to advance in a provocative way, I shout 'No' or 'Stay.' While reaching for my water bottle.
If the dog is in the road at this point and nearby I give them a squirt of water in the eyes.

All the while, I am moving at a steady though not terrified pace. I am not afraid when dogs approach and I think in my voice they can sense this. If you are afraid they will know it by your voice and manner.

I never saw them comming. They were just all the sudden on both sides of me. It scared the hell out of me. I couldn't have reached for a bottle at that point for fear of getting my hand bitten. I guess I need a thicker skin; I'll probably get more used to these assults in time.

I never saw them comming. They were just all the sudden on both sides of me. It scared the hell out of me. I couldn't have reached for a bottle at that point for fear of getting my hand bitten. I guess I need a thicker skin; I'll probably get more used to these assults in time.

Gotcha. Oh well, you won't forget that stretch of road next time.

My favorite dog story involved a friend named Bill. We were riding in a rural area of southern Michigan when a medium sized dog came charging full tilt down a hill toward us. Bill shouted "Sit." and that dog planted all four paws and did a couple of summersaults before coming to a halt in a perfect sit position. It was great!

Ha Ha Now that is cool! A once in a lifetime experience.

got one with a round house kick to the head. trouble was i forgot the other foot was still clipped in... wrecked. me 1, dog 1... on the other hand haven't seen him for several days since the incident!

That's why I'd never bring my bike to work (I work at an animal hospital). Last summer, building trails, there was this huge dog in a fenced in backyard who could see us digging the trails and he always freaked out. Then one day someone threw a shovel at him because he wouldnt stop barking and the owners called the cops and that was the end of our trails. Gone, they were. Man is the bastard.

If the dogs had any training, there are several commands that may work: No! Bad Dog! Go Home!, Get Back! Whoa! Then again if they had much training they'd likely not be chasing you. I use the really small dog biscuits as rewards when training my dogs & usually have a few in my jacket pocket. Several times, when a dog charged me, a well aimed biscuit & "Good Dog" have stopped them in their tracks. Most dogs are either showing teritorial behaviour or herding. If the dog is really determined, stopping will usually cause them to turn aside & stand there barking at you. But if the dog is large & menacing I would probably try to out run it. Don

Man is the bastard.

Hey, i remember them..

That's why I'd never bring my bike to work (I work at an animal hospital). Last summer, building trails, there was this huge dog in a fenced in backyard who could see us digging the trails and he always freaked out. Then one day someone threw a shovel at him because he wouldnt stop barking and the owners called the cops and that was the end of our trails. Gone, they were. Man is the bastard.
If you work at an animal hospital then I think you know that having a pet is the OWNERS responsibility.
They should keep their dog in their own yard. Cyclist have to obey the same rules as cars which means we have the right to travel any roads we wish unless otherwise posted. We have the right to ride without being attacked by their 'innocent' Fido. What if it was a small child that rode by their house?
I say report any dogs, if not for yourself, then for the next rider who may be passing by :)

I use the really small dog biscuits as rewards when training my dogs & usually have a few in my jacket pocket. Several times, when a dog charged me, a well aimed biscuit & "Good Dog" have stopped them in their tracks. Don



If you feed them they might asociate you with food that could be a bad thing

A friend of mine just rode the same route as SinGate above and was "attacked" by the same two dogs last night. She was very scared just as SinGate was.

What would the police do if called?
This is open country; farmland. It hardly seems fair for the guy to have to chain up his dogs....

I'm thinking let the dog bite me and then sue the man and take his farm (and no i am not kidding).

It sounds like those two dogs need to start associating cyclists with pepper spray.

lol. Yes but then again I have a feeling the farmer may associate bikers with shotguns.

i've actually found that growling at the dog and acting viscious along with picking up rocks works pretty well... really. i actually made this one dog pee on himself once. of course, i mowed that dogs lawn, and teh lawn mower scared the crap out of him, too.. so.. that may be some of it.

I was taken out by a big rottweiler in October. He had a full head of steam and caught me by surprise. Not mean, but thrilled at the chance to chase something. Both knees scraped good, took a couple of weeks before I could kneel again. Fortunately, the owner came out as I struggled to my feet. She now has a new understanding of pet ownership, I "discussed" the actions I had available to me and her responsibilities. Haven't seen those dogs loose since.

I now carry pepper spray. And if I see I'm not going to outrun the dog, I stop.

My old steel frame Peugeot survived, but my rear rack took the blow and saved my spokes.

What about carrying an extending metal baton? I'm thinking if you had a three to five foot reach, you could really discourage a dog. Either that or a bull whip.

i think a u-lock would be better. it can't be considered a conceled weapon by cops.

What would the police do if called?
This is open country; farmland. It hardly seems fair for the guy to have to chain up his dogs....


They write warnings. So many warnings and dogs are hauled away plus a fine. They have to to control rabies. Its the owners reponsibility to keep their dogs on their property. I like dogs but not ones that bite people just walking or riding by.
Plus every dog running loose may end up running with a pack and I don't want to run into a pack of dogs.
You are doing every cyclist and pedestrian a favor by turning them in.

They write warnings. So many warnings and dogs are hauled away plus a fine. They have to to control rabies. Its the owners reponsibility to keep their dogs on their property. I like dogs but not ones that bite people just walking or riding by.
Plus every dog running loose may end up running with a pack and I don't want to run into a pack of dogs.
You are doing every cyclist and pedestrian a favor by turning them in.
Good logic.

Ok here's the plan for good or bad:

1. I will get peper spray (but use it only if bitten or really threatned).
2. I will report the dogs to police if I am chased again or if my other firends are chased, encurage them to report it.
3. Sue the hell out of the farmer if the dogs do bite me.

If the dogs had any training, there are several commands that may work: No! Bad Dog! Go Home!, Get Back! Whoa! Then again if they had much training they'd likely not be chasing you. I use the really small dog biscuits as rewards when training my dogs & usually have a few in my jacket pocket. Several times, when a dog charged me, a well aimed biscuit & "Good Dog" have stopped them in their tracks. Most dogs are either showing teritorial behaviour or herding. If the dog is really determined, stopping will usually cause them to turn aside & stand there barking at you. But if the dog is large & menacing I would probably try to out run it. Don
Yelling, commanding, outsprinting, sometimes those things don't work. Read my tale of dogs here: http://www.bikefanclub.com/forum/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1876/page/1/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

My wife and I aren't twenty-something CAT3 racers, just middle-aged recreational riders. Any chance of us outrunning a determined pooch is zero. Since this incident I have taken to carrying pepper spray and a cell phone. I will have no hesitations about calling our county Animal Control to report vicious dogs.

Good thread Davet. Thanks for sharing.

Maybe this animal control will work. Or maybe improve your golf swing.

[QUOTE=notsofast]What would the police do if called?
This is open country; farmland. It hardly seems fair for the guy to have to chain up his dogs....
QUOTE]

I would call, most WI counties are pretty serious about dog control. As for not being fair to chain them up, believe me, when they are not chasing bikes they are chasing deer and every other type of wildlife. If they can't keep them chained or fenced, they don't deserve to have them.

oh ( i don't think it was on this thread) but hunter said that white vinegar in a spray bottle works.