freeranger

Never had a dog problem with the mtn.bike, but I'm relatively new to this road bike thing. And after having a dog try to catch me the other day, was wondering, what do you use for dog repellent. I own, and like dogs, so I don't want to harm them, just keep them from shredding an ankle or calf should one happen to be able to outrun me. Recommendations?

Terrierman

Pepper spray works. Just don't get it on your hands and then take your contacts out. Even after washing them. I've trained two dogs to stop chasing me with only two hits each.

further

Squirt water bottle in face (dogs') , smack on snout with pump, yell really loud and hope someone comes out of house.

MNBikeguy

When chased by a dog, I stop rather than try to outrun. The dog usually does too. In the unlikely event the dog is persistent, I give him a squirt in the face from a waterbottle which does the trick.

old and new

You ought to check the threads here. This topic arrises weekly. I've tried many things. If it's the same dog all or most of the time, you MUST deal with the owner,that's a stradegy. A tactic that may(works for me) work,along with others,is to dis-mount the bike. In so doing, you're disrupting the behavior, taking the "game away". The dog views you and the bike as a singular entity. You get off the bike, you beome a human, he may or may not respest. He will though, most likely. Besides a bike makes a good sheild. I've heard of Bear Repellant,it's long distance. Spraying Amonia or such is ********. It will bother YOU more than it's worth anyway. Mailmen have problems , THEY rarely use pepper spray and are at more risk than you are as a cyclist, they're the mailman, a universal enemy among dogs,an intruder, you and your bike are a game, see the difference ?

maddmaxx 

Little difference. Mailman gets attacked by dog, I get attacked by dog. Common thread, dog owner!

Rickochet

The reason that mail carriers and meter readers don't use the pepper sprays is that there is some liability to the employers. I work for a large utility company and our readers now use something that looks like an umbrella. The only thing that I'd use that for is to beat the darn dog. Or even better, the owners who don't restrain their dogs. There-- I even feel better!

The sprays do work-- a few times and the dogs will not be chasing you! (If that doesn't work, the ol' .357 never fails!!!) I know--- most of us would never do this, yet it makes one feel like it at times--- especially as a huge German Shepard sinks his 2 1/2 inch teeth into your thigh... ouch--- just thinking of it brings back memory pain!!!!!!

Recycle

For dogs that just want to chase, a small signal horn works wonders ... like the Falcon AquaBlast or 911 products on this page. It straps to the bars, is fast to get at, and very easy to operate. They're available in the boating dept of many big box stores.

And for dogs not deterred by the signal horn, I carry a 2oz can of duty grade pepper spray attached to the handle bars.

head_wind

It isn't just getting chased. I've been fortunate so far and that
hasn't been a big problem. My most recent issues have been
little old ladies on one side of a MUP with a dog _far_ off the other
side. The nearly invisible garroting lines that they call 'leads' are
generally low enough that they don't threaten me but that old lady
and that rodent (not big enough to be a dog) are apt to get hurt.

BluesDawg

Most of the dogs that come out toward me while riding can be stopped verbally. Either by talking friendly or by firmly telling them to "STOP!" or by saying "NO!" or "BAD DOG!". If the owner is within earshot, I substitute "BAD OWNER!". When that doesn't work, a squirt in the face from a water bottle ususlly makes them stop. As a last resort if I can't stop the dog or outrun it, I get off the bike with the bike between me and the dog and move toward the dog using the bike as a shield until the dog goes away or until help arrives.

Trek Al

https://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/pepper/Fox/index.htm

I use this type and have it mounted with the bike holder.

https://www.selfdefenseproducts.com/spray_holders.htm

Scroll down to see the bike holder.

Al

oilman_15106

When we were in Glacier National Park hiking my son had a can of bear spray that is supposed to stop them 15 feet away. Grisley bears that is, not some scrawney dog. Only drawback is the can weighs about 2 pounds.

Coyote!

It's an escalation thing. I'm a big fan of the "NO!" and "GO HOME!" technique. . .dunno' why but it is remarkably effective when uttered in a voice that reminds 'em that they "taste just like chicken". For repeat offenders I use household ammonia in a squeeze bottle. It denies 'em breath so they have a choice to make and follow the tenets of Maslow's Heirarchy every time. The drawback with ammonia is that you need to plan ahead; that's why I say "repeat offenders". One time does the trick tho', no repeat performances.

The Weak Link

I don't see why freeranger is whining, it was me the dog was chasing. freeranger didn't have anything to worry about, as I would have made a very adequate meal for our canine nemesis.

I used to carry some pepper spray with me but I haven't lately. I'm changing my mind on that one.

The only good thing about the incident was that it served as an interval/sprint work-out. I think I went from 10 mph to about 35 in two seconds. Or at least it felt that way.

vtjim

Dog shampoo seems to repel our dog. Alternatively, if you've got a trailer, hook up a car battery to an inverter and run a vacuum cleaner. (Possibly only amusing to dog owners.)

gear

Frame pump, works every time.

stapfam

I have to agree. If a dog is going to chase- It has to be stopped. Instant way to find out who the owner is, is to threaten the dog with violence- Then you can point out to the owner that their dog is in danger and not you. I am a dog lover but Sometines drastic action has to be taken.

BluesDawg

Have you ever seen what a frame pump does to spokes when a rider swings at a dog and misses? He ends up on the ground with a dog in his face and a destroyed wheel.

Similar problem with sprays. Even if you manage to get to the spray in time to spray it at the dog before the dog gets you, you are as likely to spray it into your own eyes as the dog's.

Monoborracho

A few weeks ago I was out of town on business and had taken along my bike. Your worst nightmare....while ten miles out in the middle of nowhere......three pit bulls sleeping on the front porch of some red neck's house. I was even with them before they spotted me (keep the chain oiled). I had my "HALT" with me, but this was the first time I had ever used it. I hit two of the dogs with it and they immediately stopped.

The third dog wasn't much of a sprinter.

The Weak Link

I hoping no one on this forum would even think to try those manuevers from a moving bicycle.

I was charged by a dog about a month ago. I dismounted and stood with the bike between me and the mutt. I didn't threaten it, I just stood there giving it the stink-eye. It stood there for awhile daring me to threaten it's territory. I started eating a Clifbar and acting like the whole thing was getting boring (which it was), and the dog yawned and trotted off.

I have to admit that it would have been more fun to mace the stupid cur down.

SSP

I've used pepper spray at least half a dozen times, and never had a problem getting it in my eyes.

Get the "stream", not the "fog" dispensers and you won't have problems with blowback unless there's a strong wind blowing.

SSP

That won't work against aggressive dogs.

It also will definitely not work if there's more than one dog...and you don't always know if another dog is going to show up to join in the fun. With multiple dogs, they'll work together to outflank you...even using your bike as a shield is often ineffective.

SSP

Here's one of the better web pages I've seen for how to deal with dogs.

SSP

Get "cop strength" pepper spray. Unlike Halt!, it can also be used to stop the dog's owners (and, it works just fine on the dogs too).

The Weak Link

Good articles. No doubt about it, its pepper spray from now on. Plus it sounds like fun.