woodcraft

I read a book while riding (touring) BITD.

It was a novel, 'tho...

venturi95

OK, I must chime in here as a self-declared very stable genius when it comes to dogs. I have owned a few over most of my life, I worked as a meter reader one winter, and I have been riding public streets and roads a very long time and been chased/harassed many times. I have been bitten once while riding when I was a child, but snow pants saved my hyde. YOU SHOULD NEVER TRUST A STRANGE DOG. Most dogs aren't dumb, but behave in a dumb manner. A good number of them are sneaky bastards, they will play nice until they can make a clean and quick lunge. Some will lye in wait, hiding secluded until you are in range, but this type of M.O. has little defense. Get some Halt spray and keep it handy for quick draw, it's best for you and the dog, pain is a good motivator (I am a dog lover and I hate medevil training methods).

Al_in_NH

Yeah - you do what you want. I like dogs as much as the next person, but I pepper spray ALMOST every dog not on a leash that gets within range. I am more afraid of "friendly" dogs than I am of vicious ones. I never know what a friendly dog is going to do, but I've been knocked off my bike by friendly dogs who just wanted to "greet me". I try to give them as much room as I can. If I even think a dog is vicious, or might bite me, I get off the bike, and put it between me and the animal as soon as I can. What happens next is up to the dog and his owner if he is around, but I will not get bitten again. I am a big believer in ALWAYS wearing a GoPro or some kind of camera, and this is one of the reasons why. It also helps to know the law in your state.

NH RSA 466:31 Dogs a Menace, a Nuisance or Vicious
NH RSA 466:28 Killing Dogs Legalized

KraneXL

People tend to do that a lot, especially when it concerns their dog. Nevertheless, I think he was using figurative language in this case.Again, not entirely untrue. While there is never any guarantee, generally speaking, animals tend to behave similarly, and are more predicable in behavior than people. Consider a growl and ears back for example. These are not signs the dog is friendly and wants to be petted.No one solution is always correct. In fact, there are times when you can outrun them since dogs won't typically run too far beyond their territory. Which is why they're chasing you in the first place.

Spoonrobot 

I don't know the rider but I did see your earlier post, terrible news.

downhillmaster

You have had to pepper spray three or more people?

CliffordK

Good Fences make for Good Neighbors.

I have one dog on my regular commute that "greets" me every time I pass, from behind a fence. It has a very distinctive low volume bark. Perhaps small groups of 2 or 3 barks. One can never say for sure, but I'm pretty sure it is all about the chase (or race), and it would come to greet me if it ever got loose.

But, I don't tolerate dogs that are loose on the road. I point straight at the dogs and yell "GO HOME" at the top of my lungs. Most break off the chase (likely every neighbor within a mile also hears me).

Even if they won't bite, it isn't safe for animals to be running around loose on the road.

There is one dog at a Turn-Around. No fence. I yelled at it. So, it went and sat down at the corner of its property, and just watched me as I stopped, turned around, and rode past it again. THIS IS MY PROPERTY, AND I CAN STAY HERE IF I WANT. No more chasing.... ever.

There was only one dog up near Portland that chased me bad enough that it really bothered me. The dang thing wouldn't break off the chase. Wide open mouth right next to me, until I was able to sprint away from it. But, I've passed that place 2 or 3 more times and never had another problem. The road had moderate traffic, and if it was out on the road enough, it likely got smashed.

CliffordK

I've heard it is bad news to be drafting cyclists when they let loose a can of bear spray.

Payton1221

I'm fed up with it too, but I'll guarantee the dogs who did this damage IMMEDIATELY made their true character known.

Payton1221

So EVERY time you encounter a dog that gets to within a few feet of your bike you stop and dismount on the side opposite the bike? You do you but there's no way am I doing that. I ride in the country and I encounter a bike on nearly every ride and sometimes 2-3. I don't like it either, but after riding over a 1,000 miles over each of the last few years, I've yet to be bit.

Metieval

we had the coolest loose dog locally. He also stayed in ditch and wouldn't chase very far at all. He liked to be stealthy though, and scared many riders. coming up along side them and barking, or behind them.

We had another neighbor that hated dogs. petrified of them. He buys a bicycle, buys the "beloved" pepper spray. He sprayed that poor nice dog.

for the next 3 years that dog absolutely hated bicyclist. I had never heard him growl until that point.

anyways, I started stopping when on my bike and talking to the dog. Stopping when in car too when owner was out.

eventually the dog returned to normal and is normal now. It probably helps that the guy that hated dogs and pepper sprayed it, only rode for like that one summer.

My POINT, people should have to take a dog class of some sort before they are allowed to purchase pepper spray. Because in my world, Humans are the problem the majority of the time. If not you, then it was the guys interaction with the dog before you.

sarhog

Yes. I was a deputy sheriff and a K9 handler in my past life.

Reynolds 

+1, there were 2 small dogs that chased me barking every time I rode past them. One day I stopped and talked to them - they looked puzzled at first, but after 2-3 times of doing that they stopped the chasing and barking.

Al_in_NH

People buy pepper spray for more than just fending off dogs.

As for taking a dog class though - That's a great idea. Since it is the dog owners responsibility to comply with state laws and local ordinances as they pertain to how they control their pet, every dog owner should have to take a class before they are allowed to HAVE a dog.

Metieval

a lot of those people, are angry irritable people with mouths and an attitude. They get them selves into trouble with other people then ...spray and pray.

not all, but MANY !!

Slowridr

Ive had a few experiences with dogs. The most dangerous on was when the dog caught me and wanted to play and was running into traffic. Had to grab it ans stop traffic

Al_in_NH

Sounds like you were on the losing end of a canister of pepper spray LOL.

but it doesn't have anything to do with your statement that people should take a dog class before being allowed to buy it. So....????

TimothyH

This is another reason to spray a dog.

They have ran right into traffic chasing me - tires screeching, motorists swerving. Its a bad scene.

I'm not trying to punish the dog but change its behavior. Spraying with OC pepper spray does no permanent harm to the animal and teaches it not to run into the street and is doing the dog, owner and motorists a favor.


-Tim-

Metieval

just answering your question. Do you need me to quote everything like Jim?

quit misconstruing the chronological context! it's intentional dishonest. and does the thread no good.

KraneXL

Well said. I call them dog owner without a clue. The first rule of dog ownership is: dogs can be trained.

If you don't have time to do it yourself then hire someone. If you can't afford to do one of these, then you shouldn't have a dog. Having a wild dog is unacceptable.

mstateglfr 

I ride a lot of rural paved and gravel roads- haven't been attacked and rarely been chased. When I am chased, ve always viewed it as the dogs wanting to play.

The only time I've been concerned was when a dog ran into the road(gravel) and met me at my front wheel. I almost crushed the dog! The owner was 20' away chopping wood and cussed at the dog then went back to the wood pile.

Gonna keep hoping I manage to defy bikeforums odds and dont have a dog attack story any time soon.

Nermal

Most of them do. The others probably do, and I just haven't seen them.

kahrs

The worst I ever had was when two dawgs decided to chase me in an expensive ruburb. No owner around. I was going uphill and didn't have enough speed. I put the bike between me as they barked. Eventually I had the idea of yelling "GO HOME!" and miracle of miracles that's what they did. I never rode that road again.

stephr1

Yep...Love (not) the people who tell me "My dog won't bite you." And my response is "Sure...Until it does!"

I've owned a few dogs over the years and one of my dogs that was fairly docile (large Golden Retriever) was always great until a friend came to visit and brought his young child with him. While my friend and I were catching up, I noticed his son had waddled off. I immediately tracked him into another room where he had pretty much cornered this 125 lb. animal. Based on the look and expression of my dog's face, I could tell she had almost reached her limits with this child. So I quickly walked over, picked up the kid, brought him back to his dad and suggested he not let his son wander around the house.

So, as I said at the beginning...dogs don't bite, until they do.

vanwormer

Outsprint it if you can; pepper spray if you can't. A squirt from a water bottle will slow a dog down - but the next time, he'll remember that it was merely an inconvenience. Pepper spray is a whole 'nother story - the dog will also remember it, and want nothing to do with another exposure.