AndyK 

Divorce them.

obra3

+1

Had one come out on me the other day, stopped, he sniffed, loved being petted and I went on my merry way. Didn't come out running after me the next time I went by.

jasony0423

You don't. It's a part of biking. I'd venture to say that the vast majority of loose dogs are NOT going to viciously attack you. Unless they get a shoe across the snout, but then you'd deserve to be ripped off your bike. I'm just sayin'. Don't be such hardasses about your speed on the bike. At the end of the day, remember that you're still slower than an '86 Yugo, even if your bike cost more than the Yugo did new.
People that would kick a dog worry me.

Shimagnolo

Just an FYI;
There seems to be a lot of assumptions that a vicious dog is going to give you plenty of warning.
B*llsh*t.
I was out running one day and my first warning of a vicious dog was when I felt his teeth sink into my thigh.
He came up behind me with no bark/growl and I never even *saw* him before the attack.

mlctvt

You're right! I've found that the dogs that really want to bite you are stealth. They're hunting you. Sometimes you can hear their feet/ toenails on the road or their breathing just before they lunge for your calf. My wife got bitten last year this way too.
Once in up-state NY I've had to use my bike as a club, basically swinging it and beating the dog with it. This dog wanted to kill me. Luckily the dog's owner came out and stopped him.

DScott

Has it been a whole WEEK already? My, how time flies. Not my Time, but that's another story.

Urbanmonk

Yell at them to leave you alone, but in Spanish. It works every time. Yell: "Dejame en paz, Cabron." Say this forcefully, and it may save your life.

calbrner

Just sprint

Vytas

All of my rides are way out in the country and I've always had to deal with them...

What I'd suggest is cutting a car's radio attenae off and hot gluing it into a skipping rope handle, then fastening it somewhere urgently accessible to the bike...no, that'd actually be way too satisfying

Okay, I'm only half kidding...

When a dog runs up to me, I can tell if he's out to get me or just having some fun. I've always been able to out run the dogs.

The first thing I do is bark back at them louder and more aggressive, or I pick up something to throw at it as it runs up before I sprint.

Owners with dogs that chase runners or bikers that can't keep the dog controlled are at fault and it's a shame the dog will suffer. You can't reason with a vicious animal...it is fight to the death. Family pet...I don't care.

Machka 

Have you tried pretending like you're throwing something? That worked for me with one dog ..... for a while. The dog took off after the invisible item in the direction I "threw" it, and I was able to make my getaway.


That worked for quite a while, but after some time the dog figured it out. So then one day I was being chased by the dog again, yelling at the dog to go home, etc., and thought, "That's enough of that!" So I circled around and came after the dog with my waterbottle open. It stopped dead, but every time it opened its mouth to bark, I sprayed it with water. 4 sprays and it ran away. The next day as soon as the dog ran at me, I stopped and sprayed it with water, another 4 sprays or so, and it ran away ... and then for the next week, I didn't see the dog at all. But I didn't have time to test that one on a long-term basis.

Tulex

Talk to the owners. If that doesn't work, call your local cops and tell THEM to check it out on THEIR bikes.

brian416

If its a vicious dog, call the police every single time it chases you. Before you know it, invisible dog fence flags will show up in their yard and they will grab their dogs by the collars when they see you coming rather than watch them chase you down, plus carrying some Halt is a good idea too.

Rixtory

make a duct tape holster in a spare water bottle cage and carry a squirt gun with bit of ammonia mixed with water (not much is needed). A couple of shots to the head and they will think twice...

max power

so you didn't see the dog when you ran past it?
was the dog running so casually that you couldn't hear it approach?


no offense but all signs point to darwinism

daxr

Drop them. So far, that's worked pretty good for me.

I've had a couple of "stealth" types that tried to jump me, but I've managed to spot them in time to get cranking out of the saddle. If one is on the road ahead and watching me I'll gear up and head right at it, or just in front of its head. I think they don't care for head-on encounters, as any dog I've approached that way will back off a bit out of the way.

Bah Humbug

Around here every dog seems to be nice, so a "good puppy!" seems to do the trick.

rc51crazy

One of these usually works nicely

Shimagnolo

Just because you have nothing to contribute does not mean you need to prove it to us.

HarryStoddard

Don't get a spray, that's too easy. What you need to do is mount a steak launcher on the front of your bike where the aero bars would go. Simply get into your aero position, aim, fire a steak and the dog should chase it and not you. Problem solved.

0_o

hehe was kind of thinking on the same line but I would rather do it from a distance with this

in the 27272 model / 30-06 or 300 Rem Ultra Mag.
if ya wanna get up close u need something like this.. using buckshot or maybe a Copper Solid Sabot Slugs

\

max power

hey man, don't talk about contributing when you somehow managed to get bit by a dog while out running without any recollection of the events that lead up to said sad and pitiful event

swoll

I use this.

mtnwalker

Call animal control.

Metzinger

The mention of Copper Solid Sabot Slugs above has shocked me into a realization. We've all been so negative towards the dog here.
Maybe the best strategy is to take the time to get to know all the dogs on your route. Make friends. Bring them treats. It may take some time, but in the long run it could be worth it. Peace, brothers.

cyclezealot

I've reported a mean dog to the owner . Next step the police...
I've confronted the dog. When face to face he backs off. He's chased me on the bike and i fear it might cause me to crash, as I try to outrun it.. I am so pized at the dog. I am about to throw rocks at it.. particularily, after it almost took a chunk of flesh out of my archiles heel.