This idea of stopping and talking to the dogs.. absolutely ridiculous!
Put your bike between the dog and you... nope.
Pasadena is the the area I ride. Read this article... the dog deterrent in this case was a shotgun.
I like the strong pepper spray idea, can be used on humans as well.
I usually use the "outrun them" technique...trying to hit them with the back tire, also if they get close enough a kick in the snout.
Water bottle spray works too, but sometimes the dog will not stop..it's like a Terminator.... just keeps coming.. foam dripping from mouth.
Pasadena police fatally shoot pit bull after attack, injure two other dogs