Originally Posted by
indyfabz
I have toured in many places in the U.S. You're not going to outrun a dog pedaling loaded touring bike. A good squirt from a water bottle has proven effective for me time and time again. That and/or a very loud shout and while looking the dog's way. Shown them who's top dog.
Now: Care to guess how many posts it will take before someone says "I deter them with my [insert description of firearm]"?
That count is "1", because the OP mentioned his ".40"
I turn and shout "NO!" at them, and that always works (I can really bellow when I need to). Even if they don't stop entirely, they'll break stride for a moment and that lets me get away. Lots of free-roaming dogs on the farm backroads around me.