Our saturday morning group ride was more eventful than usual. It was filled with crazy drivers and at least a half dozen dogs that felt like giving chase. After the initial group ride a buddy and I got some extra miles in. After some good spring training from a German Shepherd and a Doberman I was getting a little pissed at the dogs. Out of a yard comes a big boxer that starts running toward us down the left side of the road. I look behind and in front and all is clear. I decided to sprint at him and yell at the same time. I have never seen a dog back down so fast! Anyone else ever try chasing a dog rather than being chased?

I was on a group ride a few years ago thru some really nice back country roads. One guy in our group, larger guy, about 6'3" and pusing 300lbs. and a former pastor, decided to help out when a dog started running towards us. He gets close to the right side of the road so there's noone else between him and the dog and in a loud, booming voice shouts, "NO!". At that very instant the dog stopped and sat down as if it reached the end of an invisible leash.

I've used the water bottle method (squirt, not thrown) on a pair of dogs that attacked my riding partner. They came out at her one day and caused her to wreck. Unfortunately, even after talking to the owners they will not tie the dogs up. They've come out at us atleast 3 times now.

I ride country roads all the time and dogs are a nuisance. Fortunately, I know where most of them are after riding this area for so many years. However, if I meet a new one and don't know their intentions (running with, or biting, me), I wait until they're close enough and then I make a little swerve toward them. They usually have to change course and that's enough time for me to sprint away. I've also "squeezed" them into the path of stationary objects (parked cars, mailboxes, etc). They see it coming and stop or slow down so they don't hit anything, and it usually changes their minds about the chase.

Some of these dogs, though, are my regular training partners and I wonder where they are if I pass by without being chased.

Never on a ride, but when I was walking my dog once, another dog cam charging up to attack (or play, it was hard to tell). I raised my arms and shouted "NO! GO HOME! GO HOME" The dog put its tail between its legs and went home. Most dogs aren't looking for a real altercation and quickly change their minds when they find out you're not playing.

The dog you encountered was probably trying to play (not that it would hurt any less should he take you down). Had the dog been genuinely trying to attack you, it would probably have ducked and planned another lunge. For that reason, I wouldn't mess around with a dog, but rather stop the bike and place it between myself and the dog just in case.

One night years ago, I was riding with two buddies on a country road. We're flying down hill single file, I'm bringing up the rear. The first guy passes a farm lane and a German Shepard comes flying out to attack but it was my friend riding in second place who became the potential victim. I yelled at the top of my lungs and it scared the hell out of the dog. I guess it didn't expect a screaming third rider, because it took one look at me and tucked its tail and ran.

The funny thing is I yelled because the dog scared the hell out of me, and my yelling turned out to scare the hell out of the dog.

I've used that several times. Works well until you run into a dog that only "speaks" Korean or German.