GillyTheKid

Ok, the rattlesnake was dead, but yesterday on my ride, I was minding my own with the headphones on, getting into my Zen on mile 12, when all of a sudden I found myself the victim of a pursuit by 3 dogs.

Chasing me furiously, I stopped at first thinking I should do the 'stand still' trick but I quickly realized one of the dogs wasn't interested in playing that game. My yelling at them didn't work. Nor did my barking. Not sure why I thought barking back would have helped.

My next thought was to start kicking. But I didn't want possible rabies. So, somehow I got a huge adrenalin rush and rode faster than the dogs wanted to run.

This all happened in probably 3 seconds.

Turning the corner, I was faced with another larger dog who was frantically working his way under the fence. He didn't make it. And I rode faster again just in case there was a bigger hole later in the fence.

So, I'm sure this isn't new to anyone here. What do you use to keep yourself safe from dogs, etc? I thought about bringing pepper spray from now one. Some sort of gun that sprays something to scare them off might help too?

Do you arm yourself with anything?

Chris516

My legs and bike.

DGozinya

That headphone softball is just hanging there...somebody take a swing.

Northwestrider

peper spray

CB HI

So you think the headphones caused the dogs to chase the cyclist.

Cyclaholic

were you on the road/sidewalk/mup/other (please specify)? ...and most importantly, were you wearing a helmet?

chillingfire

You probably smelled like a cat or something. Well kidding aside, what you did was right and just do the same thing next time. At least you would have a better work out because of them.

CommuterRun

Call law enforcement/animal control and report the incident, time, location and describe the dogs if you can. This works well in this county.

GillyTheKid

Thanks all.

I wear wireless headphones. ;-)
I was on the road. It's a rural road.

I like the reporting idea. Hadn't thought of that. My wife is a runner. She runs on the same road and has also told me about certain 'dogs' that have chased her as well. She now carries pepper spray. I think I'll look up the County animal control phone number.

Believe me, it's been a long time since I felt the fear of something shoot through my bones like that. I had no idea I could hit 80 mph on a bike. :-)

genec

A very loud and stern NO!

I have found that most dogs respond to "NO" said in a loud an firm manner. Most domestic dogs know this as a command, and are otherwise startled just by someone yelling NO. Has worked every time for me.

GillyTheKid

Do you stop? Or just keep riding and shouting NO? You know how dogs can be... chase stop chase stop.

dogsridewith

You must be superman to do all those things in 3 seconds.

Outrunning dogs can get you hurt by crashing over them, or general distraction.

Halt (the spray) works.

Stopping and keeping bike between...I never heard this didn't work.

Find a stick. Dogs have an inate worry about raised sticks. They'll also see you pick up a stone. Throw a handfull of shoulder gravel at them. Shout and holler at the dog and for the master and all the neighbors.

genec

I keep riding... I have found that dogs are generally territorial... and once they stop, and I ride out of their territory, they don't follow.

Doohickie

I carry pepper spray on my commuter bike but have never used it on a dog. A quick squirt from a water bottle has stopped every dog I have ever encountered. It doesn't hurt them either, so even if you are seen doing it by the dog's owner, it is apparent you aren't harming the dog. Maybe on a very aggressive dog it wouldn't work, but I haven't found that dog yet.

Pete In Az

No... They appear to have caused the OP to forget about his surroundings.

Ratzinger

Because if he were aware of his surroundings the dogs would have decided not to chase him?

Rickochet

Halt pepper spray works well! It also instills respect into a dog. I have sprayed a few canines which stopped them in a dead run and now when we ride by they even keep their distance. Use it as the last resort, but use it!!!

I have seen too many cases of those who pedal hard to get away from the dogs only to set themselves up for another dangerous hazard. Choose your battles wisely and then fight HARD... with HALT!!!!

adablduya

frankly, if i have to resort to physical actions against a dog in pursuit, including harm (and i'd HATE for that to happen, i love dogs....) what the owner thinks is of ZERO concern to me.

Pete In Az

You folks do like to argue around here.

No, He may have noticed the dogs earlier and been able to prevent them from starting the chase instead of having the bejesus scared out of him.

CharleyGnarly

I usually stop and hum softly, and soothingly until the dog becomes my friend. You just need to know the mindset of the dog; become one with the dog. Connect on a mental level. It is just a matter of knowing that dogs, by and large, are just misunderstood and are peaceful animals at heart.

gcottay

If standing still were not working you would not have been able to resume riding. If worse were to ever come to worse you bike makes an excellent shield and even weapon.

Doohickie

I don't much care what the owner thinks, as long as he's not a gun-toting idiot with an itchy finger.

Keith99

That has also been my experience. Somewhere between 5 and 100 feet and thigns are over.

And paying attention really helps. When my pair were in their prime I joked that my solution would have been to just take tehnm for a walk. Only once have I met a pack where I was sure my pair would come out losers. A trio ranging from about 100 - 160 Lbs. And they were in front of me coming towards me at a cutoff angle. But tails up and wagging and not barking. Very friendly, my biggest problem was convincing them that I would not pet them any more and it was time for them to go home.

cyclocello

my girlfriend suggested silly string. Confuses the dogs, smells funny, and when the owner sees what's going on they'll find their dogs covered in it and not know what to think!

Keith99

And minimal blow back risks.