PastorJim

I moved to a new area (new state - Texas) and lots of loose dogs. Where I live is not cyclist friendly but I found a route that gets me off main roads and on to county roads (very little traffic - almost none). My problem is almost every ride I get chased down by a dog or two. This is going to be my most often route for riding. What is the best way(s) to deal with these dogs (all sizes)? So far no super scary moments, a side road recently had a pitbull chase me down fast, thankfully owner was out in the yard called him back. Today I was chased by a huge Great Dane, thankfully he was relatively slow. I just know I'm going to run across various dogs and I don't want them wrecking my rides.

Thanks for feedback,
Jim

texbiker

Welcome to Texas. I have had a run of dog sprints this year. In years gone by if I had 2 a year it was a lot. This year I think I am up to a dozen or more. I live in northeast Houston and ride county roads like you. So far my defense has been speed but that is bound to not work sometime. (see my last ride at this link Bicycling Texas | Bicycling, Texas | Cycling, Texas) There is a long thread about this subject on BF. The options and thoughts are many. My personal leaning is a electric cattle prod. The drawback is the closeness the dog must be to use it. A number of people carry pepper spray. Another option is a paintball gun. I am told the paintball stings and leave a mark but are not lethal.

jimmie65

Is this just an issue here in Texas?
I carry pepper spray. I also have my knife in case I get knocked off the bike.

Fastfingaz

What kind of pepper do ya'll use In Texas,jalapeno or habanero,we use cayenne down here in lousyana,,,

Artkansas 

I've stopped dogs squeezing water from my water bottle. They weren't expecting that.

Lecrae

I typically carry pepper spray, but my grandpa actually has a high pitched dog trainer (powered by AA batteries) that all you have to do is press a button and the dog turns their head away because of the loud high pitched noise. Humans can't detect the frequency so the owners won't know what is happening. It doesn't hurt the dogs either; it does no physical damage to their ears. It does wonders. He can now ride his normal route without using it, because the dogs know him and have been trained to not chase him because of the loud noise.

Edit: His is similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Dazer-II-U...DF15174E42BC33

StephenH

A loud whistle will help with a lot of dogs. Different riders here use storm whistles or referee's whistles. Won't work on all of them, but some, it'll stop in their tracks, some, it will kind of distract and slow them down. Some it won't faze.

Imabmwnut

Large bore pistol.

Stucky

I live in a rural area where everyone has at least 4 dogs....and they're all left loose!

Simply TALKING to the dogs you encounter, as soon as they start barking/come running after you, will deter 99% of them.

Most of them don't ewant to harm you; they want to chase you or herd you (Which may end-up hurting!)- Simply talking to them, seems to "switch them off" better than anything. You need not even yell at them. Works like a charm.

For the small percentage on whom that doesn't work (Usually the little ankle-biters): If they keep coming, then the next step is to STOP. Once you are stopped, there is virtually no dog who will continue to harass you or bite you. The real nasty, persistent ones (Always the little ankle-biters) may start-up again when you resume riding- requiring you to stop again; lunge at them; or chase them- but if you follow this advicce, you will never get bitten.

I've made friends with all the dogs along my regular ride routes- including pitbulls; giant GSDs and rotties (The worst offender was a sweet old border collie.....it's their nature to "herd" anything that moves!)- I carry dog biscuits in my jersey, and stop and give them tov the dogs I pass. Now, instead of coming out and chasing me, when the dogs see me coming, they wait patiently on the edge of their yards, knowing that they will get a biscuit; and that I am a friend; and not something to herd or chase away.

There's no reason to be afraid of dogs, once you know how to react to them.

Retro Grouch 

I think so too. Mrs. Grouch uses the talk to them approach - in baby talk. "Hello. bowser, are all these bicyclists invading your territory today?" When she does that, the dogs generally stop barking and just prance along side us until they get tired.

What I really think that dogs somehow sense and chase the people who are afraid of dogs. My son and I were riding a tandem with a group of about 5 riders on single bikes. As we passed a farmstead 5 dogs came running out to greet us. The single riders all reached for their weapon of choice - frame pumps, water bottles and one woman had some high tech electronic device. When the initial confusion settled down, each single bike rider had a dog barking at their heels while my son and I, who did absolutely nothing, were left alone.

Stucky

\Exactly! Haha! Your wife makes fools out of some big guys who act like scared children the minute they see a dog.

It never ceases to amaze me, how grown men, so much bigger, and sometimes even a little smarter than a dog, will want to resort to using weapons on man's best friend. They simply don't understand dogs; and they are ignorant of what should be a normal life skill for anyone over the age of 6.

And I agree with your wife- speaking nicely to the dogs, as opposed to yelling at them, works the best.

fietsbob

ride with a Dog psychologist. Or have County Animal Control Officer on the speed dial of your Phone ..

so they are taken to Doggie Jail..

obed7

i have not had a bunch of dog encounters this year, the few times I have I just rode on, but the ones I could not out run (they were in front of me and I was not going to turn around) I got off the bike, put it between them and myself and talked to them... they lost interest...I do carry a nano 9mm in a belly band holster if needed for any varmint, but have not needed it.

Catinella

If they are behind you, pedal faster! The dogs that give me trouble are the ones that are off leash and jump in front of me while riding. I had to brake very suddenly on one of this weekend rides, almost crashing into the dog. It was my first emergency stop on my 7.4!

DropBarFan

Americans are notorious for having poorly-raised unbalanced dogs. Stucky has some good points though I would advocate a more forceful approach. Like a loud "NO!" & then if necessary stopping & facing down the dog(s). Dogs (as seen on Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer show) have the instinct to either dominate or submit. Cheerful chatter is actually regarded by dogs as a sign of weakness as is appearing to run away. Though yes, giving treats is a powerful incentive.

Freedom2015

Why do so many people from other countries hate on American people so much. Im not offended, but curious. Un balanced dogs that's a new one, is it their diet or how they are raised.

BlazingPedals

****
Dog threads never turn out well.

blacknbluebikes 

If I speak in European or Asian languages, the dogs suddenly become more civilized. Strangest thing...

Stucky

Actually, I think that dogs view yelling as a sign that one is scared. Whereas, if you speak cheerfully to them, they're like "Oh, this guy is cool". They can read your body language and sense your emotions better than any human can; You can't fool them. The best thing is to actually not be scared; to go into every encounter with the idea that you want to make friends with the dogs. It works; and 99.9% of dogs are not out to get you....but often, our actions incite their instincts, and cause them to chase us and sometimes catch us. If we stop doing the things that triger their instinct to chase and catch....we've solved the problem.

And to tell you the truth, I've never bought into that "Alpha leader" and submission and dominance" stuff. Dogs are far more intelligent and emotional than those people make them out to be. Maybe wild dogs are more like that; but dogs kept as pets are far more civilized; and besides, trying to dominate a dog is not easy to do, unless the dog is mild and wimpy to begin with. Some scared bicycle rider is not going be able to dominate an even moderately competent dog- much less a tough one....and that is a game one does not want to lose- so better not to even start playing it. (It can make an aggressive dog even more aggressive, because dogs don't just back down when challenged)

Stucky

I hear that if you carry some Chinese restaurant menus with you, they will actually run from you!

spdracr39

Police strength stream type pepper spray deters them quickly and doesn't kill other riders in the mist.

Ratzinger

Perhaps, but if I'm riding in the country and a big dog leaps off the porch and runs at me barking, full-speed, up the driveway and onto the road, let me tell you, it's pretty scary for a "big guy" like me who doesn't know dogs very well, much less this particular dog. It's scary as hell.

The only thing I've been able to do it outrun them. Sometimes they stop at the end of their driveway, sometimes they run onto the road and chase you. I don't have much of a choice to sit there and talk to them quietly. Sure, I might learn to calm down, but also getting a bit on the calf would have the opposite effect.

jman0war

pepper spray, the one designed for bears.

GP

When a dog chases me I can sprint as fast as Mark Cavendish.

68venable

I bark at them. It never works but i really enjoy it.