mrpincher

To each his own on this one. I've been bitten by dogs twice in my 49 years. Both times while standing still in what I thought was a non-threatening manner. It happens fast, very fast, and you WILL be at their mercy to let go. I've had friends bitten while biking - it ain't funny when you're in a remote setting. FYI - I love animals, I don't hunt and I do not eat red meat because of the insensitivity of the industry(it tastes bad anyway), as well, I have two dogs of my own. Point is, I'm not a cruel minded person. I also have no illusions that I can out run, or out maneuver an unpredictable animal if its intention appears to be harmful to me. So, I do carry pepper spray while biking, especially in rural areas. If a dog bites me he's gonna get put down - is that just? Normally, a loud Stop! Go Home! will be enough. If that doesn't stop them....I'm pretty sure any future attempts at intellectual reasoning will produce a different outcome. I then pull the pepper spray & if there's enough time I will only have to spray it on the road in front of the dog(s) and it will distract them long enough to stop the chase. Lately, I have had to spray two dog in the face. They were close enough to my leg that I could/had to spray them in the face. I regret doing it. BTW - Nashbar sells a handlebar clip that fits a pepper spray can perfectly.

ps. that spray burns for real as I somehow manage to get a bit on me whenever I use it. Thats enough to remind me what the dog feels X 100. Just trying to balance the karma thing.

carkmouch

I used to get spooked by dogs that give chase when riding out in the countryside, but I've grown used to them for the most part and usually keep my cool and just speed up to outrun it. When I toured last summer, if the dog was getting close or looked fairly aggressive I would sometimes yell a very aggressive "NO!" or "STOP!"

In any case, they add little chase episodes throughout long days of riding through the country and make touring that much more exciting.

Diane Emerson

I purchased a Dog Dazer last year, from advice given somewhere else in the Bike Forum. I used it very successfully several times during the summer, touring in Minnesota and Iowa. I like it because it does not hurt the dogs, and is very effective. It gives a loud high pitch sound (too high for us humans), that I think must sound to them like a really, big, angry bee - from the surprised reaction I get from the dogs. Highly recommended. One dog was really determined to take me down. Teeth bared, heading for my leg. I had to repeatedly use the Dazer as he streaked toward me. He got about a foot away from me before he backed off. At that range, I could see that the noise was more than irritating. It was briefly painful, I think. But very temporary, of course. I highly recommend it. www.dazer.com
Diane

jcm

I just got back from a 50 miler a bit ago. A group of four riders today, and we encountered a very large Pit Bull. Had to be 70lbs. He was waiting in ambush and I spotted him first. Being third in the line, he rushed the first rider. Poor guy nearly crapped his tights. That accomplished, the beast then woofed a couple times at the second rider before turning his attentions to me. I stopped. He stopped. Then, circled around in the classic, "I'm ignoring you til I can get behind you" dog technique.

I sqeaked.

Yes. Just like a mouse. I extended my hands palms out and up while lowering myself partially. The dog erupted in joy and rushed into my arms like we were long seperated Master and Mutt. One can never quite tell...

The fourth rider had stopped some ways back when the Broo-ha first began.

Jasper Storm

[QUOTE=jcm;8247639]I just got back from a 50 miler a bit ago. A group of four riders today, and we encountered a very large Pit Bull. Had to be 70lbs.

Was this in SnoCo? Loacation?

thecrunge

I have one of those too, but it's called a 'DogChaser'. I found it worked 75% of the time. 2 years ago when I had 4 dogs surrounding me, it did bugger all; the 25%! Like you, one time a dog ran up to me, and only did it do its job within a couple feet. Too close! So I don't really use it anymore...

arctos

I have adjusted my dog tactics depending on the country or state visited-Rocks in jersey pocket in Ecuador and Peru; Chasing the dog home in Colorado; Ammonia diluted in a water bottle in British Columbia, Montana and Mexico and a long metal bike pump for any dog non-believers to learn that I will protect myself from needing Rabies shots.

Voice commands often work as well but my language skills are at times deficient in translation. So far unbitten over many decades and miles.

One more reason not to use earphones for an MP3 player that block the sound of an approaching dog.

Camel

I've done the same.

I've also thought about various defense/egress aproaches, most of which have been written about above.

I've previously posted on here about an "interesting" encounter with a pack of wild Mastifs in Tibet. Still my top near death experience, 2 years later, and no one was bitten. One of those encounters where I can still see everything in slow-motion.

jcm

[QUOTE=Jasper Storm;8247670]Yes. On the Interurban trail, just south of Lynnwood.

juggleaddict

well if you're on tour O:-) and you have a gun. . . . WOAH!!! wait. . . . ok, uhh, haven't read the posts, so don't bring hellfire upon me if someone has mentioned this, but wouldn't a common portable airhorn startle them enough to back off? anybody tried this? cause i'm a little concerned myself if i'm going to do this thang next summer : P

so yea, this gun i shot last weekend, called "the judge" . . . handgun. . . shoots shotgun shells : ) can't miss!

juggleaddict

airsoft gun? or pellet?

gdlerner

Hi I am in Thailand now after touring in Laos,Cambodia ,and in thailand I already use my pepper spray one time I started to ride about 5:30 in the morning many dogs attac me,so now Iam on the way back to bangkok and I have the dogchazer(really dont trust to much) so I also use the watter bottle and I got a telescop metal tube (1m) and work good,but the best is pepper spray next tour I will get a big bottle

Charlie_Eleanor

Today was the first time I really got chased by a dogs. The last person in line (out of four of us) was really the only one that it even got close to. She was my deterrent for today, but I'll be taking pepper spray with me until I can maybe buy one of those Dog Dazers. Or maybe, I'll just carry both. I think the most important thing is going to be keeping my cool.

mthayer

I wouldnt want to face "the judge" if I was a dog. I had a pack of about 5-6 dogs come and chase me, and luckly I was able to out ride them. I talked with our local sheriff department, and they said use pepper spray. He said as long as I was on a public road I have the right to protect myself.
Alot of time dogs will come up and telling to go back home does the trick, but I try to avoid dogs if possible.

nameless

Anyone ever tried a simple dog whistle? Or just a regular whistle? I'd try a safety whistle myself but can't seem to get a dog to chase on any ride around here....

Cyclebum

I mostly just keep pedaling.The odds of being bitten while spinning are extremely small. I have used the stop approach with success a number of times when the dog persistently kept crossing in front of me, inviting a crash. Kinda funny to watch how confused they get when you stop. Would not try this with a pit bull.

Pepper spray is convenient to carry velcroed to the bike and great for peace of mind. But is only effective if you can hit the beast in the face, much easier said then done when pedaling along.

Cyclepup

Being the uncoordinated person I am, this move would almost certainly see me sprawled on the road with the bike - and probably the dog - on top of me

To date I've been very lucky and have not met a dog that meant real harm. Every one so far has merely chased for a few yards and I'm pretty sure it was the only exercise they had that day. Only one had me really worried. A large, fit pit bull who jumped her fence easily and came charging. She was maybe fifteen feet away when I realized that her entire body was wagging as she caught up, joyful to have someone to play with. She turned out to be the sweetest of them all!

BikeArkansas

I would have made a comment on this thread until last week. I was bitten by a dog when I thought I had evaded him. He had my left foot in his mouth. The bite did hurt.

I am no longer an expert on dogs, and therefore will not make a comment on this thread.

carkmouch

For a brief time I had a bell on my bike, and when dogs came to chase me I dinged the bell and they would usually stop.

Also, I've never had any problems with dogs trying to attack me. Usually they just want to chase something and will run along with you for a brief distance.

acantor

I have been chased by dogs occasionally, although not regularly. My experience is that you cannot outrun most dogs. I tried it once, and was nearly bitten. My suggestion is not to go there. If a dog attacks, you can better defend yourself with your feet on the ground and your hands free. Personally, I position the bicycle between me and the dog. (If the situation warrants it, I would grab my pump or water bottle as a weapon.)

90% of the time, the dog is more curious than anything else, and slowly walking away, and out of the dog's territory, is enough. When the dog seems merely curious, I offer my hand, and address it in a friendly tone of voice. I am no expert on canine behaviour, but I have always felt it is better to try to de-escalate a situation.

But if the dog appears aggressive, I speak to it firmly, and use my bicycle as a shield as I slowly back away.

I can only remember one situation where I yelled at a dog. It was the time I was trying to out run the critter, and it was nipping at my heels. I screamed at the top of my lungs, and it gave up the chase.

EriktheFish

I have used it, with good results, as well.
https://www.amazon.com/K-II-Enterpris.../dp/B000E7KVQ2

Halt works on the dogs that the dazer doesn't work:
https://www.amazon.com/Halt-Dog-Repel...ref=pd_sim_k_1

and an Airzound works on many dogs, too:
https://www.amazon.com/Delta-Airzound...7477410&sr=8-1

NeilGunton

Here's my take on dealing with dogs on tour - including a review of the ultrasonic Dazer:

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/dealingwithdogs

And my current approach can be summed up in this recent post:

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum...ested=0#155963

Neil

NoReg

"Somewhere under those weeds was the world's largest pack of dogs with short legs!"

I'm betting some of them were tunneling!


Dogs seem to be a regional thing some areas will have barkers, or chasers, or attackers. Whatever worked in one place may not work in another, unless it was like shooting them which works pretty much everwhere.

Also, what works on your unloaded bike will not work necesarilly with your loaded ride. I'm sure we could get an interesting sticky thread going of pictures of the looks on people's faces the first time they decided to outrun a dog while loaded...

kayakdiver

I guess I've just been pretty lucky over the years. I can see how it could get pretty exciting though but not in a good way. What areas of the country(us) is this common? I've never really had a problem in the Northwest touring or when I did the Northern Tier.

Is it more a problem in the middle of the country? Southern parts? Curious as to what those who have experienced in this regard feel.

As long as it's one dog..... I'm meaner than it if push comes to shove. It's the two or three on one that I don't like the idea of.

I'd rather have a solution for all the people who own these pets that don't give a crap.