El Duderino X

Where the hell is Cesar Millan when you need him?
"No look, no touch. Remain calm and submissive!"

beezaur

You and the dog(s) have to come to an understanding.

I had a similar problem as I started riding again a couple of years ago at the age of 37. There are about 8 or 10 places between my house and town with dogs that would chase me, everything from a vicious pack of wiener dogs to a house with three large rottweilers. One dog that still gives me a problem has been pepper sprayed 3 times, kicked, and even punched in the head (chases me running too).

In my area there is a cultural thing: dogs run loose because tying up a dog is mean. It is illegal -- "dog at large" -- but short of forcing the issue via law enforcement these people are not going to change their minds. And doing that could cause more serious problems than dogs chasing.

So that leaves the problem between me and the dogs.

The reason that I am a dog magnet is that I go riding down the road in bright colors at the perfect speed for them to chase, 15 to 25 mph. Forget about outrunning anything over 30 lbs at that speed.

Luckily the dogs and I speak the same language, both being top predators.

You have to get across to the dog that you are not prey, that you are a predator too, and won't tolerate any monkey business from them. If you act like prey, you will get chased, maybe even bitten and pulled down.

At first blush it seems to a lot of people like outrunning the dog is best. But the problems are 1) no way I can outrun a motivated pit bull or rottweiler, and 2) that sends the wrong message to the dog and makes the problem worse. At a minimum I have to stop, dismount, and put the bike between me and the dog.

The only thing that has worked well for me is to get really aggressive with the dog. I turn around and chase them, yell at them, and if I can, spray them. The spray helps, but probably a water bottle would be reasonably effective too. I have a steel baton, but would not try that while riding as I'd probably fall.

After about 6 months of "discussions" with various dogs the only one that still chases is the idiot dog I have punched. That is my next-door neighbor, so I'm not enthusiastic about calling in law enforcement. If it wasn't the neighbor, that would be the solution.

In speaking with people about their dogs, I let them know first off that I hate to spray their sweet, innocent companion, but I cannot outrun their dog and can be knocked down during a bit, and MOST IMPORTANTLY that chasing me is a huge hazard to their loving little sweety. I've had several dogs run out to chase me in front of traffic, almost getting hit.

Belt Bastion

Lots of good pointers in here... Nothing gets my heart rate up faster then barking.

From experience, a single dog is usually just looking for a playtime buddy, but two or more dogs are more likely to seriously chase. Dogs are pack animals and they need an alpha. As beezaur said, humans and dogs are both top predators.

If you ride by a dogs house, from it's perspective you are on his turf and dog needs to protect it. If chase ensues, the further you get away from his turf, the more it becomes your turf.

All that said, I am still a chicken sh$&. And all forms of logic dissolve as soon as I hear barking or see unfenced dog ahead of me. Crossing to the farthest side of street and pretending to ignore is the most I can conjure up.

Nice to hear I am not the only one with this problem.
The hard part is staying calm and holding ground

enigmaT120

Yeah, though for me it's the sound of little clicking claws on the pavement coming up behind me. One time I was out running, heard that sound, and did my normal response: I turned around fast and yelled "NO!" at the top of my lungs. It turned out to be a little doberman puppy, who stopped so suddenly he fell down and had such a woeful expression that I felt awful. I took him back to his house (how did he untie my double tied shoe laces whilst walking???) and gave him back to his person, suggesting that he could easily get run over on that road. I hope he didn't grow up to hate runners.

Pinyon

I'm also a chicken. It takes a few times with the same dog for me to be brave enough to do something besides yell "NO!" and pedal faster.

Most dogs back off when confronted, though. Little water balloons work great too. Most dogs know and are afraid of people throwing things. Seeing your arm cock for a throw, and the resulting water splash makes a big impression.

RoadieRex

Pepper spray is the only non-lethal thing that works on all (non-rabid) dogs. Air horns may work, but some dogs have terrible hearing. Squirting water at dogs makes some of them think you're playing (I've done it before...).

Being an owner of 2 dogs myself, I would LOVE someone to hit them with some pepper spray if they were running in the road chasing cyclists or anyone for that matter. Pepper spray is a lesson they won't forget. Dogs live longer not running in the road, so you're doing them a favor in the process.