Advocacy & Safety - Dogs on the loose

I ride in a rural area, lots of farm land. I have problems with dogs chasing me. My real concern is when the dog's try to bite at my legs or run in front of me. Any ideas of how the keep dogs away (would like non harmful methods)?

HALT ! In the little spray can.

1. Report the address to your local animal control or sheriff's office.

and

2. HALT! or HALT!2, if necessary.

Do a search and find some fun threads, some in the "Commuting" sub-forum. No surprise the solutions range from pedaling away, to yelling loudly, to shooting the dog with a Glock.

I got this just today :

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/6800/image038q.jpg

It's stronger than HALT. HALT has 0.35% capsaicin, the ingredient that makes the irritant effect, while this one has 17%, to really remind that dog not to chase you anymore.

Air Horn Mini
It works

http://seasense.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=43&Itemid=26

Keep it handy on the drops.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/1b2h.jpg

(would like non harmful methods)?

Can the ideas be emotionally and psychologically harmful?

jim

I bring a water-bottle with me that has a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water. Even the most aggressive dogs watch me from the porch now. None of them required more than two doses.

I ride in a rural area, lots of farm land. I have problems with dogs chasing me. My real concern is when the dog's try to bite at my legs or run in front of me. Any ideas of how the keep dogs away (would like non harmful methods)?

When approached by an unleashed dog, stop and, try to be friendly with the dog.

I bring a water-bottle with me that has a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water. Even the most aggressive dogs watch me from the porch now. None of them required more than two doses.

What a little girl you are, and a cruel one at that. Ammonia can permanently blind a dog.

Just use the water in your water bottle. A shot of water in the dog's eyes will stop them immediately, or a least break their stride. I can usually get them from 10 or 15 feet away with no drama whatsoever.

What a little girl you are, and a cruel one at that. Ammonia can permanently blind a dog.

Sounds like the owner's problem to me -- they are to blame for failing to control their own dog.

Well, I agree that the owner is at fault for not controlling the dog. But the cyclist is the one who has to deal with the problem.

I have been bitten twice by dogs. Both bites were superficial. The bite really is not what you need to worry about. I have seen two cyclists nearly killed when a dog rushed out on the road from cover and they struck the dog before they had a chance to evade it. I know a third cyclist who was severely injured this way. I don't see how one can avoid this hazard because you do not have a warning.

That being said, if you do see a dog, there are any number of effective meaures one can take:

1) Just out run the dog if you are strong and fit. 25 mph is almost always enough speed.
2) Wave a frame pump at the dog. That intimidates them. It is also a downside of the CO2 cartridge systems. They do not impress dogs.
3) Squirt some water from you water bottle at them. I have never seen this ploy fail to make a dog slow way down or stop.
4) You can get off, keep the bike between you and the dog. And slowly move out of the dog's territory. Picking up imaginary rocks and throwing them at the dog is effective. Dogs seem to be able to see imaginary rocks. Maybe I should do a study of this some time.
5) I suppose you can use pepper spray like Halt. I have never tried it. I am told that it is effective.

A well timed and really LOUD "NO!" is my first choice then:

I'm a water bottle spayer- just water, no ammonia (ammonia is for wussy)- hate to waste the water but it works 95% of the time.

I've tried air horns but I'd rate them 60% effective.

I've tried Halt and would rate it 85%- 90% effective but costs more, one more thing to carry, sometimes hard to get a hold of in a hurry, hard to fire with gloves, requires a bit more accuracy than water.

I've also filled squirt guns with a slightly diluted mix of the hottest hot sauce I could buy, ironically called "Mad Dog 357". Works as good as Halt, cheaper and the squirt gun is refillable.

that's what I say. A dog chasing a bicyclist can injure or bite the bicyclist.

There is no need for name calling.

What a little girl you are, and a cruel one at that. Ammonia can permanently blind a dog.


I believe in using capcium pepper spray, the type that police and security guards carry. It works pretty fast. I have used it on dogs that were chasing me, and they stop and turn around real fast. I don't care if it hurts them. Call me a "little girl"

Daves Insanity Sauce mixed into a water bottle full of vinegar. Just don't get your bottles confused.

Has anyone ever tried a dog whistle? I've been meaning to pick one up to see how they react.

Ammonia can permanently blind a dog.

Do you have a citation for that? I've never really been tempted to carry anything with me, but you see ammonial recommended often without comments similar to yours. And I would appreciate it if you would remove the sexist insults from your post.

Do you have a citation for that? I've never really been tempted to carry anything with me, but you see ammonial recommended often without comments similar to yours. And I would appreciate it if you would remove the sexist insults from your post.


Ammonia is a caustic that should never be inhaled or come in contact with eyes or skin.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mhmi/mmg126.html

http://www.gnyha.org/199/File.aspx

I got this just today :

It's stronger than HALT. HALT has 0.35% capsaicin, the ingredient that makes the irritant effect, while this one has 17%, to really remind that dog not to chase you anymore.

Is it really 17%? that's stonger than bear spray like counterassault.


Buy only products that are clearly labeled "for deterring attacks by bears." The spray should have a concentration of 1.4 percent to 1.8 percent capsaicin and related capsaicinoids.

http://www.counterassault.com/assets/images/Bear-spray-art-w-distance.jpg

Thank you for all the response. I tried a water bottle but can't get it out fast enough. I bought a dog training whistle and will try that. If that dose not work I think an air horn on the drops could be useful for dogs and cars. I do not want to use any pepper spray's yet, but will consider it if the whisle or air horn do not work.

What a little girl you are, and a cruel one at that.

I sometimes shave my legs too!


Ammonia can permanently blind a dog.

Perhaps that why they stay on the porch now!

Bad things can happen when dogs are allowed to menace law abiding travelers on the public way. The dogs can be killed by motorists. Cyclists can be injured and sue the dog owner. They can even be blinded! I wish I knew that earlier. I won't be diluting the ammonia anymore! :D

Ammonia is a caustic that should never be inhaled or come in contact with eyes or skin.


Thanks for the links, lots of good information. It revealed that retail ammonia products are not strong enough to produce the harm as you have alleged, as they contain 5% to 10% ammonia. And I have found a 50% water solution to be effective enough.

To suggest that my area of Texas has dozens of blind dogs bumping into things is at best hysterical.

From the linked paper:

"Higher concentrations may cause severe eye injury. Contact with concentrated ammonia solutions, such as some industrial cleaners (25%), may cause serious corrosive injury, including skin burns, permanent eye damage, or blindness."

I wonder, did you read the articles you linked to?

Has anyone ever tried a dog whistle? I've been meaning to pick one up to see how they react.

I have. They are moderately effective. About the same reaction to shouts of "NO!". I have even tried emergency/escape whistles, with similar results but with the side effect of ringing ears. I have not tried the "beyond human hearing" type, as I am skeptical as to how loud they are. (How could I tell?)

I suspect that the dogs that "NO!" and whistles work with are also not the dogs to be concerned with. These are the ones that are having a little excitement in their day and enjoying a run- they aren't actually menacing me like problem dogs do. I consider them harmless and I am glad I can spice up their day.

Of the 42 dogs that are "regulars" on my common routes, (by actual count) only four were aggressive enough that they needed chemical encouragement to keep their distance. It would be uncommon on any given ride for me to not encounter dogs. If my experience is any guide, dogs are not that great of a hazard for cyclists.

Well if I ever need a new trick to use against ill mannered dogs, I'm going to bring along a spray bottle of household ammonia or ammonia/water mix from now on. Thanks for the tip ChipSeal.

When approached by an unleashed dog, stop and, try to be friendly with the dog.

Now there's one I haven't heard before.

Now there's one I haven't heard before.

I'm not sure I'd go as far as a blind stop and try to be friendly. But opening your eyes, paying attention and if the dog seems friendly responding in kind seems reasonable. One of my scarriest and funniest encounters was with three big dogs. (The smallest was about as big as mine, about 105 Lbs). It was on a climb after over a mile of climbing. They were on a knoll above me, they had the high ground and were fresh. I was cut off and they came charging down.

Then I noticed, not barking and tails wagging. Clicked out anyway, it would have been so sad to get injured by a friendly jump. In hte end my only problem was making sure they went home instead of following.

A pretty good percentage of loose dogs are friendly. But that does not mean safe for a cyclist.

Learn how dogs work. Then you'll be able to read the situation and improvise appropriately. I almost made an elderly chihuahua roll today - pretty clear he was chaser, not a biter. Did the sudden yell thing and he backed way off. Stayed in the yard for the next cyclist behind me!

Just need to learn how they work.

But they can still get you by surprise, no matter how good you are or what you carry.

If you decide to kill one, do it from a car, not a bike. Don't get us soiled.

Personally, I like to whip out the .50 magnum I always carry when cycling, and blast the creature to kingdom come. They don't try any funny business again after that. I like to tie the skulls to my handlebars, as a deterrent to other dogs, and a warning to their errant owners.

Daves Insanity Sauce mixed into a water bottle full of vinegar. Just don't get your bottles confused.

That might just give yout the 1.21gigawatts you need to roll.

Living out in the country I'm use to dogs being loose. It's just the way things are around here and I don't mind it. Infact I have an animal control worker who lives in my neighborhood of about 20homes and most dogs roam free. They'll act like kids and get let out of one house to run to another house and wait for another dog to come out. It's pretty funny to watch. Most try and chase me (On my motorcycle too) but they never get in my way so I let them bark and run.

I found that the dogs that generaly chase you are just chasing you like a Lab or something along those lines. Which in general don't want to bite you they just want to see what's up and say hey. Also small dogs which can't really do anything.

The Pitbulls, Rotts, etc I see usually don't care about chasing. They normally just stare at me as I go by.

Only time I was bit by a dog was a leashed dog at a park.

Oh yeah. Before my grandma died she loved to go on walks and lived out in the country. She carried a walking stick and anytime a dog got near here and acted aggresive she wacked it on the nose. A hit on a nose to a dog is like a kick in the balls to us. No matter how big and bad you think you are a 98lb grandma can give you a light kick to the groin and have you down for the count.

Personally, I like to whip out the .50 magnum I always carry when cycling, and blast the creature to kingdom come. They don't try any funny business again after that. I like to tie the skulls to my handlebars, as a deterrent to other dogs, and a warning to their errant owners.

Sweet Jesus.....:eek:

Are you sure you are on the right forum? Crazy-Sassed, guns-a-blazing, skulls-a-dangling lunatics are usually found over by where they discuss MOnster Trucks. ;)

Personally, I like to whip out the .50 magnum I always carry when cycling, and blast the creature to kingdom come. They don't try any funny business again after that. I like to tie the skulls to my handlebars, as a deterrent to other dogs, and a warning to their errant owners.

There's some pretty funny u-tube videos of folks getting smacked in the head during their first time
firing a 50 caliber handgun. Better use both hands. BTW, I'd love to see photos of your skull collection.
I know a homeless guy who's got a large iguana skull on his bicycle handlebars, but I don't think it's a
trophy, just a decoration/mild anti-theft device.

More on topic, I've been chased and bit by a dog during my morning commute. The bastrid bit me on the heel, luckily I wear heavy redwing boots.

re ammonia--if you wouldn't do it to yourself, then you shouldn't do it to a dog.

have you tried kibbles and bits?

re ammonia--if you wouldn't do it to yourself, then you shouldn't do it to a dog.

have you tried kibbles and bits?

Now there's a plan! Just sprinkle some behind you and take off like a bat out of hell. :thumb:

re ammonia--if you wouldn't do it to yourself, then you shouldn't do it to a dog.

have you tried kibbles and bits?


I'll stick with ammonia, thank you.

I have not tried feeding aggressive dogs. It seems to be rewarding behavior that ought to be discouraged. As an advocate of this method, tell us how it has worked out for you in the real world, won't you?

I'll stick with ammonia, thank you.

I have not tried feeding aggressive dogs. It seems to be rewarding behavior that ought to be discouraged. As an advocate of this method, tell us how it has worked out for you in the real world, won't you?

My guess is Fido would follow you until you led him into really busy traffic...voila!

Ammonia is potentially blinding. Don't think I would do that to a dog.

Swift kick in the teeth or head. Dogs should be leashed. I use pepper spray for people who may give me trouble. Too bad the world is so screwed up we have to think this way....

I use ammonia but way watered down, maybe a tablespoon in a spray bottle.

I use pepper spray for people who may give me trouble.

Or for people who are in the lead and half to double back by you in a race. Not saying I'd do that:innocent:

Swift kick in the teeth or head. Dogs should be leashed. I use pepper spray for people who may give me trouble. Too bad the world is so screwed up we have to think this way....

I've thought of that one, trust me. Won't work. Dogs I encounter are smarter than that. No way I'd be able to reach my leg out and kick one with any kind of success while on my bike. Aint gonna happen. I wish it were that easy.

Best ideas I've seen here, wielding a stick or pump while also using the "voice" on the schtit-turd. Another is water bottle squirt the bastread. Third is the ammonia.

I'd like to use a gun, but I would be more apt to shoot some poor innocent kid just walking by than hitting the big bad dog.

I agree that 90+% of dog "attacks" are really just excited dogs chasing something (who will nip but not really sink their teeth into you). These can be deterred by non-violent means, often stopping and just ending the chase (yelling however tends to add excitement to the situation). The other 10% is due to dogs that have been mistreated and are hyper-aggressive. Sadly the only solutions to these problems are getting away (outrun the dog) or some form of physical confrontation (spray, stick, etc.). These animals can be rehabbed / helped over the long term but that does not help you in an immediate situation. Just remember that the problem is ultimately the owner, not the animal.

Well, I agree that the owner is at fault for not controlling the dog. But the cyclist is the one who has to deal with the problem.

I have been bitten twice by dogs. Both bites were superficial. The bite really is not what you need to worry about. I have seen two cyclists nearly killed when a dog rushed out on the road from cover and they struck the dog before they had a chance to evade it. I know a third cyclist who was severely injured this way. I don't see how one can avoid this hazard because you do not have a warning.

That being said, if you do see a dog, there are any number of effective meaures one can take:

1) Just out run the dog if you are strong and fit. 25 mph is almost always enough speed.
2) Wave a frame pump at the dog. That intimidates them. It is also a downside of the CO2 cartridge systems. They do not impress dogs.
3) Squirt some water from you water bottle at them. I have never seen this ploy fail to make a dog slow way down or stop.
4) You can get off, keep the bike between you and the dog. And slowly move out of the dog's territory. Picking up imaginary rocks and throwing them at the dog is effective. Dogs seem to be able to see imaginary rocks. Maybe I should do a study of this some time.
5) I suppose you can use pepper spray like Halt. I have never tried it. I am told that it is effective.

This one would not work with my Beta dog, at least not the way most people would intend it to work. He would love it and keep trying to get more (in his mouth). But as long as you made the squirt catchable at the right distance from you it would keep him occupied and friendly until he got tired.

I got chased by a pack of wild dogs yesterday, their top sprinter was fast, but not fast enough.

Bring some doggy snacks and toss'em, I bet they stop chasing you.

You can buy wolf urine on the net, dogs are afraid of wolfs.

Bring some doggy snacks and toss'em, I bet they stop chasing you.

You can buy wolf urine on the net, dogs are afraid of wolfs.

And...just how are we supposed to use that?

I imagine that this stuff needs to be "applied" before it can be effective. I hate to know what exactly gets smeared where.......

I'm afraid of wolf urine!
Bring some doggy snacks and toss'em, I bet they stop chasing you.

You can buy wolf urine on the net, dogs are afraid of wolfs.

Whenever I'm chased by a loose dog, I bellow out in my best James Earl Jones: STOP!!!!!!
It works about 90% of the time. (Unfortunately it's the real mean ones that aren't intimidated - duh! - but at least it get's rid of the potential for accident from a loping lab).

It's gotta be really REALLY bass, so I don't know if this would work for the fairer sex.

I'm afraid of wolf urine!

I'm afraid another wolf might smell the urine and try to mount me.

Also dogs that don't know what a wolf is can't be afraid of them. Hell my dog won't chase anything except me but if he smelled another "Dog" he'd probably go check it out.

Why would you not want to harm the dog? The dog sure as hell doesn't care if he harms you. I have zero sympathy for a loose dog or its owner.