Originally Posted by
Iride01
Dogs aren't going to run that far. And your adrenalin at that moment will virtually always have you setting new PBs (Personal Bests). <grin>
Another tactic you can use is to simply stop. That almost always befuddles them. Unless you are being chased by an escaped dog that shouldn't be out in public, then I feel it's a fairly safe bet the dog won't bite you when stopped. They might come up and sniff you. But they aren't going to bite.
I've ridden with a few groups that have members that have some irrational fear of dogs. They do crazy stuff when they hear a dog baking. Even when the dog is behind a fence. And that crazy stuff they do makes them unsafe to be near and more a danger to the group than the dogs is. Don't be that person with a irrational fear.
Generally agree with above. If it looks like the dog is on an actual intercept course, getting off, yelling GO HOME! loudly and with authority may work in most cases unless a dog is especially vicious. You have to use your judgment though, it can be quite scary to suddenly get chased and tough to know if the dog is simply chasing or really in full attack mode. Agree that if you do dismount try to keep bike between you and the dog, and have a water bottle or other deterrent handy for Plan B.