Originally Posted by
due ruote
I follow the logic, but now you're dismounted, playing lion tamer in the middle of the road with a snarling dog. You still need to get out of the situation. Do you try to scare the dog off, look for a rock, hope he gets bored, hope he gets called in for supper?
Well my point of view is running (riding) away triggers the dogs predator/prey instinct. 99% of dogs stop chasing me stop when I stop. They may or may not give up on biting me. When stuck in this position I just keep working my way slowly out of his "territory" while defending myself.
Of course if I can outrun the dog in the first place then I will. But I've seen some dogs run 35+ on the flats. Really most dogs just seem to be having fun. It's that 1% you got to worry about. As always YMMV so do what YOU think best in the situation.