Elmira,

Many excellent suggestions for dealing with dogs have been posted in this thread. Normally, the "dismount/yell" method is the way to go.

On the other hand, I respectfully suggest that you still take Halt! in the event that an especially viscious dog--or dogs--come at you no matter what you try to do. Obviously, you need to avoid being bitten at all costs. Even a minor bite would require medical treatment and the possibility of having to wait for the results of a rabies test on the dog. Further, many people every year suffer terrible injuries in dog attacks. And this can even happen to people who feel they "know how to deal with dogs."

If a dog is meaning to hurt you no matter what, you will know it almost immediately. If he is lunging for your leg or body with teeth bared and is not backing off no matter what you do, use the spray--or whatever means are at your disposal. Again, you should only use the spray as a last resort.

In a long tour, you will come across countless dogs, so the odds of a more determined attack are increased.

Dismount/yell is the way to go in the vast majority of cases. But, that method may not work every time, and I respectfully suggest that you prepare for that possibility as well.

Wolfy