Commuting - Man vs Dog...

Alright, I bet this has come up before but since I'm pretty new to this site I gotta ask. What's the best way to deter a dog from attacking? Yeah, I know pedal faster. But what about the dogs that live for the chase so to speak? Last week I was riding in an equestrian area near my house when the meanest pit I ever seen gave chase. Man I rode like the devil was chasing me. Got away but left my pride on that hill. Is pepper spray legal to use on Man's/Satan's best friend? I heard vinegar works but I'm more inclined to use what is fool proof. By the way, I am a dog lover so I don't have any ulterior motives. Peace.

What I'd always been taught it to get off the bike opposite the dog (keeping it between you) and walk the bike until the dog tires. I just got a can of Halt! from Nashbar and carry it as well. A well-aimed shot of that should deter all but the most determined dog.

I read on this forums that if you are on pavement, then ride in curves b/c their paws cannot grip to make the turn. Never tried it, though.

I've seen pits crash through gates. I don't know if standing on the opposite side of a bike will help. But I do think this can work for some dogs, though. Thanks!

Yeah, I know. If I had a dog attacking me, I'm not so sure a bicycle is going to be much protection. That's why I got the Halt! spray.

There is a spray called "Halt" which I used for years. There is even a clip so you can clip it to your handle bars. When I commuted by bike twenty to fourty years ago or more, I had a lot of trouble with dogs and played a fun game daily of trying to hit therm with my "Halt". Mailmen use Halt, and there is also a belt clip for it. If your local bike shop does not cary it you might talk to your mailman about it. However a real determined pit bull type of dog may ignor it. In recent years however I have not had trouble with dogs. I don't think there are as many on the streets and many of them no longer bother bikes. In my seventy years of bike riding I have been bitten by two dogs and one coyote. None of the bites were serious though they blead a little. The natural pedaling motion jerked my leg out of their mouths, leaving deep scratches on my leg and they were so surprised they didn't attempt a second bite.

Bit by dogs and a coyote? I come across them too. I always thought coyotes were only looking to attack small animals. Thanks for the heads up. And I thought I only had to look out for cars...

Bit by dogs and a coyote? I come across them too. I always thought coyotes were only looking to attack small animals. Thanks for the heads up. And I thought I only had to look out for cars...

You've heard of the fight or flight response? Well, predators have an instictive reaction to the flight response. They chase whatever is fleeing them, so it's instictive for dogs, coyotes, wolves and cougars to chase things they think are fleeing them even if it's normally too big to be prey.

With that in mind I'm not sure about the value of stopping your bike. Some animals might take it as an invitation to complete the process of bringing down prey.

Man wields lead "frame pump," man wins.

I buy the cheap, small dog biscuits by the bagful to use as rewards when training my dogs and always have some in the pocket of my cargo shorts. Last Summer, on a country ride, a German shepherd ran out at me & was enthusiastically into the chase when I thought to toss him a biscuit. It startled him & bounced off his nose, he skidded to a stop & went back to munch it down then stood there watching as I rode off. Think I made a friend. (this might not work on a pit bull though) Don

There is a spray called "Halt" which I used for years. There is even a clip so you can clip it to your handle bars. When I commuted by bike twenty to fourty years ago or more, I had a lot of trouble with dogs and played a fun game daily of trying to hit therm with my "Halt". Mailmen use Halt, and there is also a belt clip for it. If your local bike shop does not cary it you might talk to your mailman about it. However a real determined pit bull type of dog may ignor it. In recent years however I have not had trouble with dogs. I don't think there are as many on the streets and many of them no longer bother bikes. In my seventy years of bike riding I have been bitten by two dogs and one coyote. None of the bites were serious though they blead a little. The natural pedaling motion jerked my leg out of their mouths, leaving deep scratches on my leg and they were so surprised they didn't attempt a second bite.

"Effectiveness against trained attack dogs not established". That's the quote from the can I wear on my belt at work. I also carry two of them on my mail satchel. The dog spray is the lowest concentration. Spray for humans is higher, and might be more effective. Some pits/rottweilers/sheperds don't seem to be affected by the spray. I've heard from cyclists that spraying them in the face with your water bottle can most times stop the chase.

What I'd always been taught it to get off the bike opposite the dog (keeping it between you) and walk the bike until the dog tires. I just got a can of Halt! from Nashbar and carry it as well. A well-aimed shot of that should deter all but the most determined dog.

This works. Some large dogs might be able to do real damage to your bike, but the most important thing to remember is they are very strong, and can rip the bike out of your hands. DO NOT let that happen.

well, in my neighborhood the gang bangers have a habit of "walking" their Pitbulls on a long line....I suppose it's police deterent.
It freaks me out. I've had to wack a dog with a frame pump but have never had to defend against an attacking Pit... and I have seen them attack other dogs, and a person once.

I'm definitely going to invest in some Halt! Either that or start carrying the .32 cal....

well, in my neighborhood the gang bangers have a habit of "walking" their Pitbulls on a long line....I suppose it's police deterent.

I think unless you belong to a rival gang, or screwed the guy on a dope deal, you're not real likely to have a dog set on you. From what I've observed in my neighborhood, the dogs that get walked on the street aren't fighters; they're more of a fashion statement -- like 20" spinner wheels. Their owners aren't real anxious to have to chase them down the street. Of course, the dog could always just get away from the guy, too -- he may not know he's a fashion accessory.

Don't feel that toting a container of Halt or pepper spray will deter dogs. I'm a dog lover and own a couple of Akitas. I also subscribe to an Akita forum and some of the breeders and serious enthusiasts say that those products are only good to piss off certain breeds even more. They're pretty much ineffective to the really determined dog. Also, shock collars and cattle prods don't work on Akitas (don't know about other breeds, and NO I've never tried on my dogs!). Sorry I don't have a solution, but I don't want people to feel "safe" by carrying the pepper spray or Halt and think it'll work on all dogs.

As suggested, you should get off your bike and keep it between you and the dog. There are a few reasons behind this, first (if the dog wants to attack you) the bike acts like a barrier, second the dog is not able to distiguish between you and the bike and assumes that you are that much larger, third you have a better chance of defending your self standing, if you try to out run the dog on your bike and it knocks you off....you are S.O.L. And last of all, the dog is probably not trying to attack you, it just wants to chase you (if that makes any sense). So by getting off the bike, you take the fun out of it.

I wouldn't get pepper spray, all you are going to do is piss the dog off, and possibly cause it harm. I would suggest an air horn, not only will it confuse/scare the dog but it will also draw attention to you from the owners.

Also most Pit Bulls are not mean, try talking to it in a calm voice and slowly walk away keeping eye contact with the dog.

Last week I was riding in an equestrian area near my house when the meanest pit I ever seen gave chase. Man I rode like the devil was chasing me.
A very effective deterrent is Animal Control. If people love their vicious dogs, they should keep them controlled, otherwise it's off to the pound.

The only solution I can think of against a pit bull is pure adrenaline. It worked for you once, it'll work again. Think of the benefits - you wouldn't normally push yourself that hard without the persuasion, would you?

I've always been curious about this stuff;

http://www.macecanada.com/canada/product/frontiersman.htm

Supposedly it's more powerful than what the police carry for use against humans.