TimothyH

A Dramatic Reading of "Who Let the Dogs Out."


Just felt like posting that.


-Tim-

curbtender

Ha. Need better music...

Colnago Mixte

I could watch that all day. They need a "dog chases monkey" TV channel. I would have that playing constantly at home, it's very relaxing.

That monkey is a decent rider, seems to understand turns quite well, better than many humans.

KraneXL

Stupid dog. A good blast of pepper spray will learn him. No permanent damage.

indyfabz

Do us all a favor: Get back to us when you have read and comprehended the OP, which is crystal clear to most of us.

Colnago Mixte

I prefer to just zen out when a dog chases me. C'est la vie, let the little bugger have his fun.

I figure that he's as determined to chase me, as I am determined to ignore him. The only time I ever crashed because of a dog was from trying to fight with him as he chased me. He went under my front wheel and I went over the bars.

If this dog wants to run under my front wheel, I have already decided I'm going right over him. His safety is not my concern, only my own. And as long as my pedals keep turning he won't be able to bite. I have all the cards, and he's got ... 4 legs and a loud bark.

indyfabz

ikr

indyfabz

I've got a loud bark myself. Ridden in, and in many cases across, at least 20 U.S. states, three Canadian provinces, one Mexican state and two European countries and have yet to meet a dog I can't out bark. I think that and my understanding of the animal's nature is why I have never been bitten or been taken down by a dog. Last year, while preparing to hop on my bike during a tour, I came face to face at about 25' with a YUUUUGE (est. at least 500 lbs.) black bear. That didn't frighten me either.

Colnago Mixte

Yeah, there's definitely some animal psychology involved. If a person reacts with fear, or uncertainty, the dog starts asking himself "Why am I NOT attacking this person?"

I have had the best luck with holding my line, staying confident and focused on my riding, while completely ignoring the dog.

Makes the dog feel insignificant. Doing anything else, IMO, will validate his chasing, and inspire him to chase again, harder and with more zest next time, same as I would do if someone yelled at me, tried to kick me, or sprayed water in my face.

KraneXL

On the contrary, dogs chase things. That's just what they do.

Colnago Mixte

"On the contrary"? When did I say that dogs don't chase things? I don't think "on the contrary" means what you think it means.

But if this is just an attempt to create some conflict here, have at it.

DrIsotope

If you've never had to give a dog a squirt from a water bottle, you've never been chased by a dog. It was just running in your vicinity. The last one to get the Gatorade-Eye-Wash from me was timing his lunges as my right foot circled around the cranks. He was there for business. That pursuit ended instantly, the moment the electrolytes met the eyes.

I've been down that stretch of road many, many times since. That dog has no further interest in leaving his yard.

KraneXL

I'm noticing a trend of that limitation going around. My simplicity in response represented a counterpoint to your complex over-analysis of the dog's behavior -- without the need to anthropomorphize the animal.

Colnago Mixte

No, but I've "had to" yell at them, kick at them, swing my pump at them, and get off my bike and confront them face to face in the road, and then chase them back home on foot.

I'm just of the school of thought that says, "Don't give a bored dog a mission in life" (i.e., "chasing bikes").

And anything I do to make that chase more exciting or memorable to that dumb bored dog, only strengthens his desire to fight me again the next time I ride past, as I have become his enemy, and his mission is now to destroy me at any cost. As opposed to remaining just some random person on a bike who takes no interest in fighting him.

tagaproject6

So far, there are very few photos of dogs chasing, which I was really looking forward to seeing. Plenty of "dealing with dogs" arguments, though.

Colnago Mixte

I guess dog chases happen, but it's like Bigfoot and UFO sightings, no one seems to have a camera around when they see one.

indyfabz

That's my second go-to response after yelling. That "Oh. I wasn't expecting that." look is priceless.

mr_bill

Colnago Mixte

My dog was about that size, terrified of loud noises and would go nuts during thunderstorms and take off running or try to "dig" holes in the carpet. I suspect that's what happened here, that little dog was chock full of adrenaline, and probably could have towed a bus in that state. And catching a dog that does not want to be caught ... is basically impossible, with 4 legs they can outmaneuver any human on 2 legs, I suggest you try it sometime if you doubt me.

The times when my dog took off running and could not be found were terrifying, as you can't protect them and they could be flattened by a car in an instant. Looks like he survived, but the owner should maybe get him a "Thundershirt", those are supposed to keep dogs calm during storms.



That and not let him near the door when there are any loud noises.

Rollfast

If you are being chased by a dog how can you find the time to ask it to 'say cheese'?

Oh, I know you have those funny cameras masquerading as a telephone...

touch, password, swipe swipe, touch, aim, no pant leg.

You're supposed to be the boss of it. Be nice if you can but be the alpha too. Loose dogs are the responsibility of their owners and you are in their territory as they perceive it. But trying to outrun a dog only makes it a chase, they have instincts from ancient days for this.

You guys always think I'm crazy but stand your ground (no, not that stand your ground). I talk to the dogs along my way (chained or not) and I once stopped and backed one up who was scaring kids and called animal control (and it turns out that the dog was a habitual chaser whose owners didn't control, it was removed, the owners were surprised at me but in the end maybe indifferent so I was not impressed with them).

But dogs are our friends in general and are just trying to do what they are taught. Feral dogs are a problem because they were born wild or are trying to cope with being 'lost'. Have you ever seen how anxious and skittish a dog is when they were left in a truck bed, went to find their owner in the store and then the owner may have just driven away without a clue? Ever lost track of your mommy?

KraneXL

Guy sounds like a lunatic. I'm surprised people actually listened to him. I would never grab some strange dog. For all I know the thing could be rabid.

Deal4Fuji

^^^ just sounds like a panicked owner to me, but I think I could have managed a quick "thank you" to those trying to catch the dog. The e bike rider did a lot to bring this to a happy ending.....I guess it was happy, I'd like to have seen video of the dog in the guy's arms.

My 2 dead-end county road "private greenway" as I like to call it has a lot of wildlife, and somewhat concerning to me is the recent sighting of what I'm thinking might be a coyote, if coyotes can be black (they can, although rare - just looked it up). It has the big ears and the right size, and quickly runs from me into the woods every time. Probably a feral dog, but he's always alone the 3 times I've seen him and just seems to have that wild aura, never taking the time to look at me like a think a feral domestic dog might before running away. I usually keep my phone in a seat bag, I may start wearing my armband phone holder in hopes of getting a photo.