Reelin

Well today was a day of firsts. Today I did my first 20 miles!!! But today also was my first dog attack. As I was on mile 17 out from a house come these two dogs, I tired to sprint, but none the less one went for the back part of the bike the other one went for the front and it hit my front wheel. Needless to say I fell down. I guess that the fall scared them because they went back and barked from the house. So now I'm all scraped and bruised, but I did go to animal control. I like dogs, but they shouldn't be allowed to run just like that.

jsigone

sucks...hope you have a speedy recovery

bbeasley

Hey Man, congrats on the 20 miles! Way to go!

Oh yeah this is a required BF question anytime you fall on a bike.... How's the bike?

I remember my first 20 miler. It's so cool to hit those milestones, congratulations again!

Ursa Minor

I used to ride to school and every day the same dog would chase me, Talking to the owners did no good. I had fantasies about blowin that dog away
but it was just easier to change my route.

Charlie

c_m_shooter

Ignore the dog that goes for the back wheel. Spray the dog to the front with your water bottle and they usually stop and shake their head. You might need some target practice first, I used to compete in CMSA matches so it isn't that big of a deal.

DX-MAN

Here's to quick healing...!

There's another thread here on the forum right now, a Deep South firefighter who commutes, has been chased by a small pack of 'strays', and has exhausted ALMOST all his options --contact with the 'owner' (he claimed some of them), police, animal control, etc. He's presently weighing the idea of deadly force. Someone suggested a paintball gun (non-lethal, but painful -- genius!), and I'm seeing that as a pretty handy alternative for a LOT of situations.

PhotoJoe 

Congrats on the 20! That is a great accomplishment. Just wait until you hit your first 50! Don't laugh...it won't be that long!

I carry a small can of pepper spray. I hear spraying in the general direction will often irritate the dog just enough to stop chasing. I'd like to never find out! Heal fast!

Reelin

The bike is ok!!

Reelin

I hope that the healing comes fast, I really want to continue riding, but I'm really sore right know.

PhotoJoe 

The body will heal faster than the spirit. Don't let this stop you.

There's a lot of dog-talk over in the Road forum. I think the advice I'm going with is to just STOP. They like the chase. Remove the chase, it removes the interest. Decide for yourself, though. I don't want to be responsible for you stopping and being bit!

https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=7600279

Cougrrcj

When bicycle commuting in Dayton years ago, my dad carried a squeeze bottle of ammonia. Never a repeat chase!

goldfinch

If I have a dog issue on a regular route I make friends by giving them super extraordinary treats. Not dry old dog bones. Think raw hot dogs. I figure that I am going to see them again and it would be better to have look forward to me. I have found it 100% effective but the dogs I have encountered are not mean dogs, but dogs that get attracted to the chase. I intermittently reinforce the behavior by bringing a baggie of sliced and dried hot dogs with me.

On one of my routes the owner of the dog actually asked me what she could do to stop her dogs from chasing bicycles and cars. Keep in mind, this is out in the country and for many people restraining the dog is not an option they consider. There is rarely a leash law and rarely animal control. If she truly wants to stop the chasing she has to find something better for them to do and that takes work.

Rwebb

I give my wife a taser to take with her on her rides. She hasn't actually had to use it on one yet, but i know they don't like electricity.

indyfabz

+1. I have toured in a lot of places where dogs are left roam free. Out-sprinting a dog while riding a loaded bike usually isn't easy. A squirt of water to the face works surprisingly well. Looking at them and yelling extremely loudly usually does, too. Show them that you are top dog.

You can also call the police if you are knocked down. That is more likely to get the attention of the owner(s) than just you complaining.

Reelin

Went back out today and did 26 miles!! I feel great. I'm looking forward to many more miles ahead. Do you guys go riding everyday or do you take a day in between to rest?

Ursa Minor

I ride 20 miles a day no rests but i go slow and break it up 13 in the morning on my way to the gym and 7 in the afternoon when i go to the beach and take a short swim

Charlie

zandoval 

Had a mean looking Doberman type dog charge after me on a back road - Looked like I was going to be dinner - He easily caught up with me and then just loped along next to me for at least a half mile - I had to turn around and take him back home and give him some water...

Ursa Minor

Heres a story I'd like to see: Man chases and bites dog. Owners miffed becuz police dont do anything.

Charlie

cyccommute 

Only indyfabz and photojoe have given you advice that works. The problem with trying to spray something or throw something or hit the dog with something is that you have to have that something out where you can get to it. You said you tried to sprint away but how would you reach for something while sprinting?

And sprinting...or rather attempting to sprint...away from a dog only triggers its predator instincts. They only want to chase you more. The best course of action is to shout in a commanding voice like indyfabz says and then stop if that doesn't work. Dogs are cowards and all of the ones I've had to deal with back off when faced with a human who shows them who is boss.

c-m-shooter is wrong, by the way, about not worrying about the dog behind. Dogs don't attack from the front. They don't "rip out your throat" as so many people are worried about. A dog...or any canine, for that matter...takes prey from behind. The dog behind you is going to try to bite. In any situation where I have to face a dog, I do just that...I face them.

lenA

wondering how many db, if any, it would take to freeze a dog.

I've thought about taking along a mini airhorn

Wooden Tiger

Dogs shouldn't be off leashes, especially in areas where a lot of people are present and biking is allowed. Most of the dogs I've come in contact with on a trail who are off their leash mean no harm, they just wanna run up and say, "hello," however, there are a few that have tried to attack me. I've warned the owner(s) of these clearly aggressive dogs, "It attacks me, it's gonna find my bike upside its head!" I don't play that game, I have no tolerance for this type of irresponsibility, and in the end, it's the dog who pays, not the owner; kinda sad.

I like dogs as much as the next person, but if I get attacked, I will defend myself, and what happens to the dog happens to the dog.

indyfabz

As noted, I have done it simply using my voice. A really loud "Hey!" with my head turned in the dogs direction and a glare if possible usually lets them know you are the boss. I think the result comes not simply from noise itself, but from the fact that the noise is coming from the "prey," which conveys dominence, or at least that you are likely to put up a fight. Sort of like dealing with a bully.

The one time I can remember abadnoning that approach is when I was being chased by a doberman in Tonasket, WA. The thing ran off a porch and apparently got through a hole in the yard's fence. The road was straight and slightly down hill. Couldn't out run him on my loaded bike and he was coming close to biting my ankle. I saw there was traffic coming in the other direction so I crossed over the yellow line to the shoulder on the other side of the road, putting the traffic between him and me. Had he followed me, he would have been run over. I don't like to cause harm to animals, but there was no way I was going to let him ruin my trip.

contango 

Man that sucks. Hope the dog suffers a lot more than you did. Congratulations on your first 20-miler

contango 

The one and only time I had a potential issue with a dog I was all set to unclip and kick it in the head but instead turned and gave a very deep guttural growl at it, at which point it stopped dead in its tracks.

Jarrett2

Congrats on the 20 and 26. I did my first 20 this week too. Had a little Yorkie come at me. Scared me at first, but then funny.

Last night on my 5 mile ride around the neighborhood, my neighbor let his german shepherd out and he charged me. I ride with my dogs occasionally (not this time) and race them for fun so I know I can't outrun a full grown dog on anything but a downhill, so I slowed down and started giving the dog the "I will attack as well" look and he slowed and turned back. That's the second german shepherd that has come after me so far. I've also had a Blue Healer come at me as well, but I was on a downhill and escaped. Not looking forward to finding the one that won't back down, but its going to be a bad day for him as well if it happens.