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-   -   Dog Chases on a bent... crap! (https://www.bikeforums.net/recumbent/225619-dog-chases-bent-crap.html)

mwbirren 09-04-06 09:31 PM

Dog Chases on a bent... crap!
 
Joined a DF friend for a ride out to the Mollala River today (round trip 51 miles). He had done the ride before a couple of times, it was my first time, and oh by the way, he mentioned there were a couple of dogs that chased along the way, no biggie.

Dog-1 - I did not know where these dogs were along the route, guess I should have become suspect when my friend edged ahead of me a bit. Then from the left a tall, black & white dog bounds in. Having 3 dogs myself, I could read by the body language that it was a friendly dog just coming out to check us out. My neighbor doesn't have dogs and slows down forcing me to veer left, leaving the dog between us. It was actually comical as I think we confused the dog as he nearly did a 180 degree turn in mid-air trying to keep track of us.

Dog-2 - We pressed on. Then from the right, a black dog, probably a lab-mix of some sort, goes for my friend who is out in the lead, gets tired, slows down enough to catch his breath and here I come. The hair on this dog's back was standing straight up, not a good sign. He starts to chase me, I reach for my water bottle and start spraying him on the right, then he is behind me and I just hold the bottle up and spray behind me without even looking where he was. I think I have him beat, but check my mirror, he is still coming, but finally tires and drops back.

I learned today that recumbents really don't have the "stand up and stomp your peddles to get going fast" capability, or at least I have not developed it yet.

We get to our half-way point, and guess what? It's an out & back, and we have to come back the same way we came in. This time, I am stoked, I was pedaling hard thinking perhaps I could just speed by the critters. I apologized later to my DF friend who was a couple hundred feet behind me this time. As hard as I tried, the landmarks I remembered on our way out did not look the same from the other direction.

Dog-3 - So, here we were again, the second dog (Dog-2) we encountered was now tied up (thank you), but his neighbor dog that missed us the first time was now out and comes in from the right. He was a mangy mutt, but fast, and seemed meaner. The dog was on the right, then straight ahead (nearly hit him), then to the left. I hollered at him to scare him, and just kept pedaling, I could no longer see my DF friend in my mirror. He got the same treatment.

At last we get back onto roads I am more familiar with which have few surprises like the ones I had experienced up to this point. But I was wrong.

Dog-4 - A shepherd/husky like dog crosses the road ahead of us and appears to be observing some goats on the opposite side of the fence from him. After the previous 3, I started to pedal harder to build that freight train momentum I've learned riding my bent. The image of my DF friend fades in my mirror. As I approach the dog, he seemed harmless to me as he only gives a slight turn of the head in my direction, then back to the goats. Maybe his doggie brain was figuring out the odds of getting through the fence to the goats vs chasing the goats on his side of the fence (me and my DF friend). Yup, the chase was on. This one was the fastest of them all, or maybe we were just getting tired. I fumble for my water bottle, but the nipple was closed and my gestures to spray the dog were fruitless. But I get past him. My DF friend sees this, watched the dog return to the front porch of the house only to start to chase him too!

We survived, an exciting ride today. We go nearly all summer without any chase like this, and in one day get four! What is the deal with that? In closing I gotta tell you, a dog chase at the bent level is a whole new perspective for me.

sch 09-05-06 12:35 AM

In 14k miles, over the past 6 yrs, I have not had a problem with a dog even though I ride a fairly low bent with the seat at 15" high. Chased now and then but the dogs don't seem to be as aggressive toward me on the bent as on the DF. Mainly I worry about the idiot dog that allows itself to be run over knocking me down, so far it hasn't happened. Weirdest dog was one that seemed happy to see us and ran down the road at 16-20mph for 4 miles before veering off, must have been a coon hound used to long miles. Dog wanted desperately to be petted and twice ran along beside me and puts its muzzle on my arm resulting in a broad band of dog slobber on my fortunately long sleeve jersey.
Steve

Wheelchairman 09-05-06 02:57 AM

:lol: Both great stories. Ive never experienced probs with dogs, yet when its Magpie hatching season, those pesky birds wanna protect their young at any cost. This usually involves them swooping down and smashing you in the back of the head......I been run off the road only once, franticly waving my hands in the air and looking behind me :o . Its a miracle it hasnt happened more often :D

aikigreg 09-05-06 08:53 AM

So far I've found that all it takes is to stop and get off the bike. Once they recognize you as human they stop completely. It's worked 100% of the time and keeps accidents from happening due to fear.

..of course, there's always the chance it's a killer pitbull, but....:)

World Tour 09-05-06 11:08 AM

One time on a night ride, something (racoon?) bolted out at me from the blackness of the side of the road and whacked my chainring hard. It scared the living ***** out of me. I'm also 15" above the ground, on my seat. I sware, I was looking for fur in my chain after I got home.

slowandsteady 09-06-06 08:04 AM

Mace works wonders. I have been bitten before and it wasn't fun, nor were the rabies shots. Fortunately it was my ankle, but on a bent the danger is much higher since they can reach your face. Don't take chances, bring mace.

sch 09-06-06 08:12 AM

Sprays such as pepper and mace can be as hazardous to their users and other riders as to the dogs they are intended for. Grabbing for and gyrating around with a can of spray trying to hit an agile dog who is suspicious to start with is a recipe for spraying oneself, fellow riders or crashing through loss of control.
I have ridden through pepper spray clouds left by users ahead and fortunately eye protection meant I only had a bit of burn on the lips and nose but it was annoying. I have witnessed several crashes by riders trying to hit dogs with pumps. I ride in fairly doggy areas and as I noted the dogs have not been that much of a problem.

slowandsteady 09-06-06 11:43 AM


Sprays such as pepper and mace can be as hazardous to their users and other riders as to the dogs they are intended for. Grabbing for and gyrating around with a can of spray trying to hit an agile dog who is suspicious to start with is a recipe for spraying oneself, fellow riders or crashing through loss of control.
Mace has its caveats, but what is the other option if you are being attacked by a dog? And no, a water bottle squirt ain't cutting it. Just being attacked and chased by a dog is going to increase the likelihood for a crash, mace or no mace. My mace is right up on the top tube and easy to grab and spray.

aikigreg 09-06-06 04:43 PM

A .32 magnum will do the trick most times.....

cjs1948 09-06-06 06:56 PM

Doggies
 
They don't like air horns and most of them recognize the authoritative NO!

Chip

dpage44 09-06-06 09:13 PM


They don't like air horns and most of them recognize the authoritative NO!
Agreed. Most of the time I can buy enough time to get past a dog if not stop him in his tracks with a deep loud "NO" or "STAY". Dogs can sense fear, so have none in your voice. For those times it doesn't work I have my trusty can of HALT dog spray. Call me twisted, but there is something about seeing a dog doing an upside down head scoot on the grass that brings a smile to my face :D I have actually slowed down at times........:rolleyes:

World Tour 09-07-06 11:27 AM

This is a great forum.

Unfortunately, nothing would've helped me with that animal attack the other night. It was literally a split second event. I don't even know what kind of animal it was. It looked like a black mass about the size of a racoon. It literally bolted out of nowhere. I'm just riding along and all of a sudden whack, this black mass hits my chainring. It was inches away from my hind quarters too. I was just riding along the side of the road too.

World Tour 09-07-06 11:29 AM

Forgot to mention the fierce growl sound also. It was demonic.

megaman 09-07-06 07:58 PM

Last week I got chased by three dogs on one 12 mile ride. The first dog was a golden retriver. Looked friendly, but I'm not gonna stop for him. He's chased me before and is cautious of cars. I just out run this one, about 20 mph. does it. BTW, I'm on a trike. The second dog was the problem. I'm slowing down getting ready to take a sharp turn up a steep short hill. When suddenly this dog dashes out toward me. I was startled. Now this dog I've run across before and he wasn't much of a problem, but today his teeth were bared and appeared to be lying in wait for me! So I'm peddling as hard as I can to the turn, when a vehicle comes from the other direction. The dog retreats to his yard. As soon as the vehicle goes by, the dog starts to chase me again. I have two ways to go, but either way is uphill and I'm slow uphills. This dog is now getting close as I pedal up the hill and I'm staring into his bared teeth. I'm pedaling as hard as I can and I can tell he is confused where to bite me, thank goodness. Then I hear the owner yelling for the dog. The dog ignors the owner and is now less than three feet away. I'm going to just keep pedaling as hard as I can, with the owner still calling. I then yell to the owner that if that dog bites me, she's in trouble. As this point I'm starting to get mad. Then just as suddenly as the chase started the dog stops and turns around. The third dog I hadn't seen before. He was a german shepard. He was sitting on the steps of his owner's home with the owner. When he saw me gave chase. He also ignored his owner. I just out ran him. I've got halt but I never carried it with me. But I do now. I'm tried of being chased.
The one common factor in all of these accounts is that the dogs ignored their owners when they saw me. I've been chased more times than I can remember. Heck there's a leash law in this county and as soon as I'm out of the city limits the dogs are not usually tied up.
I've ridden by the place with the mean dog several times, each time with the Halt in hand, but I haven't seen the dog since.

Shaman 09-07-06 08:12 PM

Dogs seem to have an affinity for trike. They give it a curious once over and decide to challenge it and the rider. I would recommend one of those air powered boat horns that you can put in your pocket or velcro'd to the frame. I've often stopped these dogs by yelling "NO!" at them. Often they will stall just long enough to get away. We are simply not that threatening enough when out head is the same hieght as theirs.

Sandwarrior 09-10-06 09:53 AM

I did a 30 mile ride yesterday, pretty much the same loop I do, when I have a 2 hour window. About 1 mile from the house I ride through a park where folks bring their dogs. Now I have never had a problem in this park before, but today, there is a couple with a great Dane. They are walking side by side down the MUP and the dog is bounding off to their side off the leash. The Dog sees me before the owners, and charges!:eek: The owners are yelling for the dog, he ignores them. I dismount and keep the bike between me and the dog. This dog is snarling, growling, baring his teeth. The owner, female type is running to get control of her dog, the male owner is waliking along like its no big thing. I told the woman, "if you don't get that *&^%$ing dog under control, I'm going to kill it". She has to tackle the damn dog. I am surprised that She didn't get bit. The male owner casually walks up, puts the leash on the dog and yanks him away from me. Never says a word, just glares at me the whole time. The female owner apologises several times, male owner just glares. I get away, but I am so wobly legged I can hardly peddle. I can't imagine what I would have done to carry through with my threat,. beat the dog to death with my lock and chain:rolleyes: . I would have had to get it out of my camel back...Dog would have won that engagement. I think I will get a can of pepper spray, for the dogs and their stupid owners. I wonder if they have them in a handy device like a gun type dispenser

mwbirren 09-11-06 10:09 PM


Originally Posted by Shaman
Dogs seem to have an affinity for trike. They give it a curious once over and decide to challenge it and the rider. I would recommend one of those air powered boat horns that you can put in your pocket or velcro'd to the frame. I've often stopped these dogs by yelling "NO!" at them. Often they will stall just long enough to get away. We are simply not that threatening enough when out head is the same hieght as theirs.

Shaman, do you have any url links of said "air-powered boat horns" that fit nicely (i.e. compact)? Please advise.

Shaman 09-11-06 11:05 PM

Many option HERE

http://www.falconsafety.com/images/marine/pwhclam.jpg
...and this unit HERE

chtorr 09-12-06 05:27 PM

My wife and I had two dogs run with us for almost 10 miles last week. We went for a 20 mile ride out in the country, and these two little dogs, some kind of basset hound mixture, ran with us. We were just taking it easy about 12 mph and they kept up pretty good. But my wife kept slowing down and herding them out of the road when cars were coming. It was pretty funny watching drivers get frustrated at the dogs taking up the whole road. Very friendly little guys, we just didn't have the heart to try to outrun them, they were having too much fun.

recumbentrider 03-14-07 08:47 AM

I have a marine air horn that I charge with my pump. Works on mutts almost as well as on errant motorists (the dog is spared the single-finger salute element). I have also used the stern "NO" to good effect (on dogs), and usually just outrun them. Once, I stopped a huge brute in his tracks by saying, "Here, boy, come here boy" playfully. But I went down a couple of years ago when I was going slow in my own neighbourhood and trying to deek around a big playful Lab pup -- the idiot veered right in front of me, and I ran into him with my chainring. Road rash supreme, but otherwise OK. When I am riding with other people, I use a variation of the old saw about what to do when you and a pal are confronted by a bear in the woods -- you don't have to run faster than the bear, just faster than your pal.

BlazingPedals 03-14-07 02:54 PM

This advice from a police dog handler: If you can't outrun a dog, it's best to stop and put the bike between you and the bike. A dog in attack mode will run through a cloud of mace and have his teeth on you before the mace can have any effect. Edit: an addition here: After you are stopped, get yourself out of the dog's territory, but in doing so keep the bike between you and always keep facing the dog. If you turn your back to it, it will attack.

Like mace, air horns are best used when the dog is still sizing you up, at point-blank range. Speaking as a gun owner, I don't think guns are a very good choice for cyclists. If you're willing to go the deadly force route, a hunting knife would have several advantages. Lighter, just as deadly at arm's length range, no licensing issues, safer for your buddies, dogs know what it is so just seeing it will back down many of them, and if you have to use it, there will be no question about whether or not the dog was really attacking you. Also there's no bang, so the owner won't immediately know that Fluffy is dead and come looking for you with his 3/4 ton P/U truck.

Tom Stormcrowe 03-14-07 05:33 PM

Last time I was chased was between Lafayette and Frankfort, here in Indiana. The dog was snarling something fierce and hung on for a long way. We both ran out of gas at the same time. We're both panting there on the side of the road and he kinda looks at me, gives a little woof, wags his tail and heads for home. I swear the woof would have translated to "Thanks for the workout!".

Now he looks for me and doesn't snarl or growl, just chases. He acts disappointed if I don't sprint. I gotta figure out a way to hire this dog as a coach!:D

lowracer1 03-15-07 05:06 PM

dogs
 
In my mountain bike days, I used to do what I called my urban assault ride. I would take off in training mode and head for the bad end of town. I had an 18 mile loop that was nothing but high intensity intervals the entire time. I would get chased by at least 10 to 15 dogs on every ride as well as a few groups of punk kids on bmx bikes yelling "gimme dat bike" or "I wanna wide dat bike!" I knew their intention of course was to try and take my bike from me. A few times I had to resort to cutting through peoples yards to the next street, jumping curbs, ditches, wrong way in the street, cutting in front of cars just to loose them little turds. I think the kids were a worse threat than the dogs. Later in the summer after being in much better shape it was fun to see just how long they could go before giving up the chase.

Shaman 03-15-07 07:53 PM


Originally Posted by lowracer1
...Later in the summer after being in much better shape it was fun to see just how long they could go before giving up the chase.

The dogs or the kids?

lowracer1 03-16-07 08:01 PM

The kids of course!..........especially after I retraced my course leading them right towards the dogs!


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