Recreational & Family - It is called a leash law jackass...use it.

Man,

Read pitbull 25 mph story. Similar experience. Riding in residential area of 29 Palms, Ca. Lots of dogs about. Pit bull on the side of the road. Makes a move. I spray him on the nose w/ water. Problem solved... nope. Pit Bull is pissed now. Pit Bull doesn't even bark or snarl. No wasted energy. Clocked him at 22mph for 1/8 mile. If I would have slowed down or stopped that dog would have eaten me for lunch.

A lot of dogs out on the streets are predators. I'd rather be hard on the animal and be wrong than 'talk softly in high tones' and be wrong.

Good forum.

A leash won't always stop a dog from attacking. I have seen several dogs stap leashs, collars, leads etc.

And all you pitbull haters, not all pits are bad dogs.

I'm a dog owner, too..always keep my dogs on-leash when in public...and if the owner can't control their dog when on-leash, at least to the point of keeping the dog from chasing/harrassing others, they may want to consider some obediance training and stronger leash/harness/collar before they go out again.

Scary! Your poor son, must of scared the bijibees out of him. Hope you treated him to an ice cream cone afterwards. I have had this problem myself. Some dogs, though good with people and well trained do not like bicycles *PERIOD*It sounds like your owner might of known that and that is why she did not apear after the incident. Usually, with a good firm voice YELL "Go HOME" with your arms waving,or pointing. This has worked so far for me. Also, sometimes throwing things at a dog who is feeling threatend does not always work, and they might lunge so be careful. Pepper spray is great to have on hand if you can add it to the load. Also, your wife was wise to turn the attention to her by wistleing, kudos to her (she deserves an ice cream cone herself.LOL.)


I have a dog and when we first got him I would take him to the park and practice "come" and he really liked being loose. We would take walks in the trails and everything was fine. Since he has become an adult, I have seen his temperment change and now I feel I always have to be between the people and the dog. He is a sweet Lab, and is very very loving but he is skittish and as you know that could lead to some unfortunate incidents. Some people he will pass with not even a blink but others he turns and will go towards them, and this makes me nervous. Let me point out, that he has never bit anyone and the incidents I am talking about are just growling. But you never know. So he is leashed all the time now, I would feel so horrible if he did bite someone. It does URK me when dog owners don't care for their dog properly. This debate could go on forever. Find out what works for you and your bike and go with it. Teach your son not to touch ANY dogs other than your own without the owners permission and presence. This is particulary hard, I know, cause my kids think they can touch any dog because ours is so good to them. But very important. Good luck.