lookinUp

I've finally given up my DF and am riding a TerraTrike Rambler. Like it a lot. Am riding on country roads a bit and although I've had many encounters over the years with dogs, I've been 'up in the air' and away from them (except for legs) and Halt has saved me many times. Halt probably still will work fine with dogs coming at me while on the trike, but being down at their level, I'm nervous about getting bit. Short of carrying a 45 what do you do when you have a dog encounter on a trike?

Retro Grouch 

Velomobile?

I just Googled "greyhound speeds". It said 43 MPH max. I can't go that fast on the level with my SWB. How about a doggie treat chaf dispenser?

mchell

I use this on all of my bikes and trike. Search - Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC). Free Shipping Available. Dogs, cars, trucks, roller bladers on the MUP with ear buds plugged in, they all hear me! As well, a water bottle squirt in the face will slow a lot of dogs down! Mike

rydabent

Im sure a big can of pepper spray would change the mind of a dog chasing you. Probably might save the next cyclist too.

10 Wheels

Horn and Pepper Spray.

VegasTriker

The only time I have ever been bitten by a dog occurred decades ago, long before I began riding trikes in 2004. It was on a rural road in Wisconsin by a German Shepard following two small kids near their home. That's not to say I haven't been chased by dogs occasionally. All it has ever taken is a loud voice saying "go home" to the dog. I'm too old to try to outrun fast dogs. Most of them are not out to bite you but the may enjoy the chase. The most interesting was the dog who jumped in my lap as I stopped on a MUP to allow the owner and 2 dogs to pass. I have also made some dog owners run a good distance to catch their unrestrained dogs by keeping a safe distance in front of their dogs as they followed me through a local park. It's great fun. No bites in more than 40K trike miles over 12 years.

Usually discussions like this descend into a flame war between dog lovers and dog haters. I hope this one doesn't. I have an electronic horn on the trike but usually am too busy to both deal with the dog and steer the trike to use the horn. No mace and certainly no gun.

lookinUp

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I'm worrying nothing. I'll keep the Halt handy and yell my usual "Go HOME" in my loudest voice.

dallascyclist

Mini super soak-er or water gun loaded with Jack Daniels (or other similar brew) works pretty good and has other ..erm medicinal uses.

Retro Grouch 

Years ago a medium sized dog came running down a hill at full speed toward my neighbor and me. My buddy yelled "Sit." in a commanding voice. That dog locked all four paws and did a couple of somersaults before coming to rest in a perfect "sit" position. A well trained dog.

Rehab

Most dogs who have had any training will respond to a single word command best. Most trainers use the word "NO" to sternly command their pet. This has been the most effective for me. I do carry pepper spray (dog version) on my bikes but have yet to need it. I agree, the lower you are sitting, the more intimidating the situation can be.

I would most like to use the pepper spray on the owner for not keeping their pet under control!

chandltp

That was one of my fears on my trike. It never happened, but it was unnerving to see a dog running at me at face level (to say the least). That was one of the many reasons I switched to my Bacchetta Giro.

Trsnrtr

Never had a dog bother me on a trike or a recumbent. I just talk sweet to them or ignore them.

Have been bitten while on a road bike many years ago, though.

toolbear

@@@

The trail crew out on the Trail of the Coeur d' Alenes have a name for the roadies: Whispering Death. That muttered "On your left" in your ear is not very helpful. Nice to know you are coming in time to flee.

Might get a horn. Lots of uses. Bells are useless. I bought a squeak horn from REI for about $5. It sounds like a rat getting a foot on the tail and objecting loudly. Works very well. I sound off a good distance from traffic ahead and get a good response: Turn, look, move over. The bike police siren is in reserve. That marine air horn shown in the photo in this thread will wake the dead (got one for bears). Might be overkill, then again, might not.

sch

Whistles/horns (mechanical or air) may or may not slow dogs, IME not so much, but I ride with a friend who can make a piercing loud whistle with his lips
and this is about 80% effective in stopping dogs, sometimes in their tracks. In >125k miles on bikes, including 22k on a low bent,
I have only been nipped once since the '70s. The low bent did allow one friendly dog to slobber on the arm of my jersey in the course
of being excessively friendly.

Retro Grouch 

Once you've bitten a dog, not nipped - seriously taken a chunk out of, all the other dogs can sense that so they pretty much leave me alone. HOWEVER, if you happen to be on a low riding tadpole tricycle, and a Great Dane lifts up his leg, watch out!

Sspoonless

I carry a couple of pepper sprayers, the big 2oz kind. Some dogs are too stupid to connect cause and effect for a few sessions, but eventually they all begin to get it. Most figure it out the first time, and that route is clear after that episode, since they are just bullies at heart. Just don't touch your face after using it, because it gets on your fingers and is hard to wash off without warmth and soap.

Moe Zhoost

Dogs seem to be much friendlier to me on my trike than on an upright bike.

Woodsywoman

So far I've found this as well. I love dogs, but I've not quite enjoyed being slurped by a giant German Shepherd who came right up to me and jumped onto my lap while I was riding.

cppeace

Lol I had a gsd that would have done that. She loved people.

Woodsywoman

The dog's owners were a little surprised.

BlazingPedals

Are you talking about dogs or trying to turn this thread into something else?

friday1970

I usually stop my bike, get off it, put my hands high as I can, and scream at the dog while walking toward him. They usually realize they've made a grave mistake and high tail it backwards.
Eventually, I'll meet that dog that won't back down.