Originally Posted by
bakerjw
When you ride your regular routes, do you talk to dogs that you see?
... I believe that it helps acclimate dogs to seeing bicycles not as a vile incarnate monstrosity from hell but as something associated with people.
Yes, I often do. Particularly if it's on regular routes and there's a dog that doesn't seem to quite "get" my presence there, yet.
I, too, find that a fairly calm and playful voice helps assure the dog that I'm no threat. Somewhat slower speeds seem to help, as does making a bit of noise farther off so the dog isn't surprised by me before it's had time to process my presence.
Worthwhile in all cases? Not in my experience. But it sure seems to help in many cases, providing the dogs with more positive assurance that I'm not worth chasing or assaulting.