Jill458

Hi everyone, I am new here. I have begun to ride each morning but I live in a rural area where many people keep many BIG dogs unleashed. Most arent a problem but there are a couple I worry about and as my distance extends I am always entering new areas. So far it hasnt been a problem outrunning them. Just wondering if anyone else has this problem and what I could do to deter them or what to do if attacked. Thanks in advance for any info.

Joe Gardner

Most dogs will stop chasing you with a quick squirt of water from your water botle, but if you use a hydration system (camelbak ect) this isnt always posible. If its really a problem, think about carying some pepper spray.
With the smaller dogs, i sometimes slow down, and slide my foot under the dog, and toss the dog lightly (no more then 20 feet) to the side, its quite fun

Alot of the dogs around my area are trained, and a loud "NO!" or "STOP!" will usualy stop the dog, but not always.

Anyone else have any ideas?

motown

I seem to recall a anti-dog spray which will spray up to 20 ft. I guess it is like pepper spray or something similiar.

I can't recall product name, but local bike shop may know what it is, or U could try an online store such as https://www.performancebike.com

Good Luck.

Any one else know what I am talking about???

MadCat

On the topic of Dogs I encountered a rather odd situation. I was biking in Calgary a few weeks ago with my mom. We were crossing the city when we passed though a rather low-income suburb. I Pitbull wandered out of a yard somewhere, unleashed and started running with us. I don't know of a breed with a worse reputation for eating people. My Mom was somewhat terrified at this animal who was running with us. We couldn't get rid of it though. If we stopped he's come over and sniff my leg and wander away for a bit but as soon as we got going again, he would be right along beside us. Of course people around us were mildly concerned. The poor dog just wanted to go for a run. We got to our destination and my mom parked. I decided to keep going for a few blocks to rid ourselves of this dog. I basically just sprinted ahead a couple blocks and circled a block or two and doubled back. The bad'ol pitbull was nowhere to be seen. It was really really weird. I almost felt attached to the dog. I still have all my limbs too.

Anyway the lesson of the story is, Pitbulls don't run very fast.

Snowplug

On the subject of dogs, I had the experience a few years ago, with a large mongrel chasing and almost biting me every time, I rode this specific route. Eventually a water bottle squirt seemed to just rage the dog more.

I'm a hobbyist small gun amunition reloader.

So, I loaded a 9mm round with ground white pepper and a wax plug. On my next encounter with the dog, I waited until his teeth were snapping about an inch from my heels and then blasted him. What happened next was the dog's face went white with white pepper, after a loud bang. Must say I never saw a dog running away so fast before, yelping and sneezing. That was it, this fellow remembered me and on all my subsequent rides, he would disappear upon my approach, tail between the legs.

Snowplug

https://www.exclusive-cycling.com

ljbike

Jill, I've never had a dog chase me beyond their own property lines. Some think they are being protectors and see us riding by as intruders.They will bare their teeth, snarl, growl and be very menacing. Mostly, though, they won't bite. Still, don't take unnecessary chances. All the suggestions above are good. I usually talk to the dogs in a friendly stern way --+*&^%$#@!-- with NO fear in the voice as I pick up the pace and get out of their range. I've never been bitten. Don't be intimidated by them.

mike

I was riding through the river port area of Manheim, Germany once when a dog owner told his dog to attack me. I was on a public street, not trespassing or anything. His owner just thought it would be funny to see his dog attack a bicyclist. He was lauging when he saw his dog take off after me.

The dog chased me growling and snipping at me. I tried to outrun it, but was too loaded down. I shouted and told him to stop (both in german and english), but to no avail.

The dog seemed most interested in my ankle continually tried to bite me there.

Finally, I was running out of gas, and he was gaining, so I kicked him on the top of the head which caused his jaw to hit the ground. He yelled and rolled for a few yards and I was free of him.

Some animal lovers may think it cruel, but I figure it is self-defense and attacking dogs don't deserve any better treatment than attacking people.

So, for self defense for a dog biting at your ankles, kick him on top of his noggin.

Another thing you could do is to distract him and get him to bite a rag like a bandana or towel. Then, if you are strong enough, you could give him a tug and knock him off his feet. A similar method can be used for pedestrians.

These methods might not be as good as pepper spray, but when you don't have pepper spray...

Cambronne

I get chased daily by one #$%@ dog or another. We have leash laws, but, being the American Southeast, letting one's dog run untethered is almost a birthright.

Most of them can be easily outrun. Dogs don't have much stamina, and although they can pace you for a short run, they'll drop away rather quickly. Dogs will try to "vector" you... determine where you'll be at a given time in the immediate future, and they'll sprint to intercept you there. If you change course or alter your speed... even slow down... the animal will miss you, and you can make good your escape.

You can make your own dog-be-gone syrup as well: In an old water bottle, (one with a good sturdy squirt top) mix a few ounces of ammonia with water. Add some food coloring, say, blue, to prevent you from accidentally sipping from that bottle. (This will also stain the dog for added effect.) I carried one of these bottles for a few months, and finally had occasion to use it... I spritzed the chasing terrier, and he peeded away like a stricken fighter plane. I looked back to see him rolling his snout in the roadside grass and weeds.

Other weapons probably won't come in handy, but might make you feel better for having them. Frame pumps make good dog bonkers, and an old telescoping portable radio antenna makes an easy to store whip. I carry a pistol... mainly because my commute begins in predawn gloom and takes me down a deserted leveetop dirt road. I'd rather have the extra weight of the revolver in my pack than not have the thing and need it... It is useless for firing while on the move, but if cornered by a pest... two or four legged, it is most effective.

On a lighter note: Once, on a trip to a nearby town via unpaved backroads, I was chased by a very territorial GOAT. If you ever find yourself in a similar predicament, heed this... SWERVE! Goats are surprisingly quick in a straight line, but they don't turn corners very well at all. I sped off down a side road and left him wondering where I'd gone...

Chris L

"Dogs will try to "vector" you... determine where you'll be at a given time in the immediate future, and they'll sprint to intercept you there. If you change course or alter your speed... even slow down... the animal will miss you, and you can make good your escape."

Reminds me of a dog that chased me once and got the fright of his life. I had just had these new brake pads fitted and they were making this really loud squeaking noise as I used them.

Anyway, one of these dogs (there were about five going after me at the time) decided to cut across in front of me as I was trying to outrun the others. I slammed on the brakes and they obliged by making their extremely loud noise. I've never seen five dogs run so fast in all of my life.

Chris

Joe Gardner

Chris, i always knew my squeeky brakes would come in handy for something

pat5319

I once had a St. Bernard mix come after me, I stuck my pump head in his nose and twisted, he promptly went behind his fence and barked like hell, he never came out after that.

Carrying a couple of rocks in your pocket to "bomb" the "bad guys" when they come close helps a whole lot.

A loud and angry rendition of "No! Bad Dog!" will put most dogs "on their heels" to stop, so quickly, it'll make you laugh.

cgonz

The trick is to be able to size up the dog quickly. I have a rating system.

1. Playful dogs. These dogs are just chasing you for fun and would lick you face if they could. Unfortunatley, they can cream you if they run into your front wheel. Dodge and holler seem to work well.

2. Working dogs. Most dogs are just doing the territory thing. They have no intention of doing anything serious. A squirt from a water bottle usually sends them running. Worst case, you stop and spit on them. Most riders never run into anything worse than this.

3. Natural born killers. There is a very small percentage of dogs that are very serious about "getting" you. They tend to be smart. They have a plan. Sometimes they are silent, because they don't want you catchin on. They know trigonometry (vectoring). A water bottle or harsh language is just going to rev these boys up. Stopping may help, but maybe not. You should have a plan for this worst case scenario. Frame pump, spray, etc. These dogs are rare but they exist, I assure you.

If you know your route, and know where the dogs are, take advantage of the geography (hills) to give yourself an advantage. And work on your sprint. Adrenaline is your friend.

Chris L

If you have a dog in your area that the police are doing nothing about, I have a suggestion for you. Go to https://www.geocities.com/~roughstuff/rottweiler.jpg and download the picture. Send a copy of it to your local police with an enclosing letter along the lines of "Don't like it? Neither do we!!!"

Maybe our concerns will then be taken more seriously.

Chris

steve33

Get your self a cheap water pistol, and fill it with household ammonia. No more dogs--- works for me.!!!!!

aerobat

You're right the dog will attempt to lead you so they can get the angle on you. In an attempt to spoil a large German Shepherd's intercept solution I slowed down. It was effective, the dog overshot me, went in front and I hit him. I went over the handle bars, fortunately with no damage, as for once I wasn't wearing my helmet, being out on a 'round theblock test ride, and the dog limped away. I'm not sure whowon that one! In addition to frame pumps, pepper spray and ammonia, I've heard of putting some lemon juice in your water bottle which irritates the dog's eyes without doing any damage. Never tried it myself though. I just try to outrun them and so far have been successful.

Dave.

steve33

Sounds pretty much like a draw to me.!!!

PapeteeBooh

It is good to know that dogs, even when they have bad intentions, seldom attack an person who watches them in the eyes. Several years ago, as I was walking to my dormitory in the suburd of Istanbul (where I was an exchange student) in the middle of the night when a herd of at least half-dozen loose big dogs followed me and growled at me for a long way. I remembered somebody telling me to look at their eyes and I walked about one km backward doing that and got 'home' safe eventually.

Generally in my experience, dogs go quite a bit slower than a bike. If the problem is recurrent, talking to the dog owner is also an option stangely not considered in previous posts.

CrAzEd_RiDeR

When I go jogging there is many dogs that like to chase me and try to byte me... so I always bring a little tazer thing... it sends out a little shock and it stops the dogs dead in there tracks! So when you are on your bike and a dog starts coming after you just reach over and shock the $#!* outa it you can get these at some sporting good stores.