MetalPedaler

O-K, fellers,

I may be a noob to cycling.......but I'm not a noob to dogs.

Couldn't help but noticing as I read various forums, that many cyclists seem to have a lot of animosity towards [loose] dogs and/or are afraid of dogs, and/or are mean to dogs they encounter.

YOU NEED NOT FEAR GETTING BITTEN BY ANY DOG WHEN YOU RIDE, EVER AGAIN, IF YOU WILL JUST HEED MY ADVICE:

So, you're riding along, and all of a sudden, you hear "woof! Woof! Woof-woof-woof!" and see Fido come running out after you. Here's how you can stop Fido in his tracks 95% of the time, without harming him in any way.

Simply TALK TO HIM!

No need to yell or scream or act tough- you can be friendly and nice. 99.999% of dogs do not want to bite you/are not vicious/mean no harm.....they are simply chasing you to drive you away, or "herding" you, or trying to catch you- but the thing is, if you talk to them [and looking at them helps too] most dogs will stop right there. I don't care if they're little cocker spaniels or big German Shepherds or pitbulls- just say something like "Aww, there's a good boy!", or ""How's my buddy?!" in a cheerful tone, and you will be amazed at how the majority of dogs will simply stop/shy away/go home.

I promise! It's that simple!

Now, you may be asking: what about the other 5% who don't stop coming when you talk to them?

Easy- [This will seem counter-intuitive, but trust me]- You talk to them AND STOP. Yes...come to a complete stop. That is the only way to stop some dogs. If you see that a dog is getting close to you, and talking to him did not dissuade him...simply STOP. I have NEVER encountered a dog in my entire 50 years, under any circumstances who would not stop/go away/cease and desist when non-threateningly confronted. -And as a former tow-truck owner, I've dealt with many dogs- from customers Rottweilers whom they forgot to tie up/put away...to pits...to giant psycho junkyard bull mastiffs.

The ONLY time I've been bitten, is the one time I didn't practice this technique. I was on my bike back in July- 2 miles from home, at the end of a 22 mile ride on a 102* day.....was passing a group of 5 large dogs whom I pass every time I ride- figured they should be used to me by then, and was immersed in thought, and hot and tired...so I just ignored them- and before long, I felt the nose of the biggest one on my leg..and before i could react, he sunk his teeth in.

I still pass those dogs regularly.....but talk to them every time, and have to stop on occasion....and they don't come near me. I live in a rural area, where everyone (except me) lets their dogs run loose- and there are lots of BIG scary-looking dogs [Actually, it's the small ones that are more likely to bite]. I've made friends with many of the dogs on my regular riding routes- and carry a pocketfull of biscuits, and often stop to see my "friends" and give them biscuits and pet them. Others are used to me now, and just ignore me. The group with the one who bit me....they're not friendly, and will still chase me- but talking to them, and stopping when need be, if they get too close, works every time. (I'll make friends with the one who bit me, sooner or later!)

So leave the water guns and pepper spray and balled-up cats at home....be nice to the bow-wows you encounter, and befriend them...and don't be afraid of them/hate them/harm them! Dogs are smart....but some humans can be smarter- there is no need to count any dog as your enemy, or to get bitten.

patentcad

99.9% of the time dogs chase you for the chase, they don't want to actually catch or bite you. Even when they do bite you (I've been actually bitten twice in 200,000 road bike miles over 20+ years) they really only nip you, it's hard to sink your teeth into a moving target (moving in multiple ways) that's essentially over your head. When they appear angry and aggressive, yell at them, show them who's boss. When they're not, say 'good boy' and they'll just wag their tails.

eja_ bottecchia

I would agree with the stop part. Dogs have a built-in mechanism. Dogs also have a built-in territorial limit. Once you have gone past their territorial limit, they will stop the chase.

I ride mostly out inthe country where "country dogs" love a good chase...some even love the doggie treats that I carry with me as bribes.

Christobevii3

99.9% a squirt of the water bottle distracts them and they forget what they are doing.

Poohblah

Hear, hear to the first 3 posts. No need for a water bottle.

My girlfriend used to work on a cattle ranch in Wyoming. One of the cattle dogs liked to run in front of the ATVs as they were moving and nip at the front tires! Scary as heck when you're driving 25+ mph. But it was all for play and the thrill of the chase, nothing aggressive. Dogs chase bikes for the same reason.

I used to volunteer at my local Humane Society by walking the unadopted dogs in the pound once a week. I can assure you that dogs usually bite when they're scared. A good way to frighten a dog is to intimidate or hurt it.

coasting 

I have a problem of packs of stray dogs who have probably never been owned wandering around and lazing by the roadside of my route. I don't think any of this will work on a pack of wild dogs.

The only way to get away is to drop the hammer and step on the gas. That's kind of a mixed metaphor isn't it?

Poohblah

feral dogs are different, they're scared of everything because everything can (and has) hurt them, and they will do anything it takes to survive - in other words, to feral dogs, everything is the enemy.

Sixty Fiver

My wee little daughter is fearless with dogs be they big or small and she does know not to approach strange dogs but will always greets them "who's a cute puppy... who's a cute puppy?" and in almost every case the dog just melts.

I think that no matter how old the dog is, this tone of voice and hearing how cute a puppy they are takes them to a happy place where cuddles abound.

Conversely, she takes no crap from dogs either and understands how important discipline is, she can handle my friend's extremely obedient 100 pound Shepard off leash and he obeys every command she gives him.

When we rescued our Min Pin she had feeding issues and was growling and snapping at everyone that came close but she would have the dog sitting and waiting while she filled the food dish and would pull her off her food and submit her on her back if she even gave a hint of growling.

And then she would make her wait to go back to her food.

She did just what I did and in no time our beloved little dog was well behaved at mealtime as she learned that aggression was not going to be tolerated and more importantly, that she was not going to be denied or teased with food.

As for cycling, I have never had an issue with dogs that have wanted to chase me as I am like the OP in that I do not give them the pleasure of running me down. I always stop and either speak nicely to the dog if it is submissive and make friends or tell them to GO HOME if they are displaying dominant postures.

banerjek

I generally agree with what has already been said. But not getting bitten has a lot to do with staying calm internally. If you stop and are scared, you can easily provoke dogs. If you try yelling at them but are afraid, you won't fool them.

It boils down to that you need to read the situation and maintain the correct attitude no matter what you have to do.

labas

Love dogs, but I'll stick with my pepper spray.

MetalPedaler

Great comments so far!

About the feral dogs: I think truly feral dogs tend to stay away from humans if they're scared. The ones that aren't scared, pretty much behave like most other dogs...maybe just a little more aggressive. As another posted stated, how they respond has more to do with our attitude/behavior.

I rescued a feral dog from a neighbor who was going to shoot her....she turned out to be the sweetest thing! She's sleeping in my bedroom on her posturepedic-type doggie bed right now (my pit mix is in my bed)

Also very true about dogs just loving the chase! My first dog bite was when I was 5- ran in front of the new neighbor's dog....and he chased and caught me...bit me in the gluteous maximus. After my mommy patched me up, the neighbor explained that you never run past a dog. That dog and i became great friends. I was one of the few people whom he liked (He was kinda vicious with most people)

Everyone should learn how to react to dogs...it could literally save your life. Back when I lived in Queens, I was walking in a desolate industrial area one night- and a bunch of nasty non-pet junkyard-type dogs had climbed on some stacked cars, and got over the fence of the bodyshop they were guarding. I come walking down the street, and suddenly I'm surrounded by 5 or 6 of the nastiest dogs I've ever seen. This was one time I was truly scared! I was really thinking to myself "This is it- they're gonna tear me to shreds"- I didn't have much experience at that time with dogs...but I did the one thing which was really my only option...figuring trying something would be better than nothing. I flailed my arms wildly and yelled and made monster noises...while spinning around, so as to face all the different dogs which were surrounding me. It worked! They took off down the street!

Now, whether these techniques would work on the coyotes, and on the occasional bobcat and panther who sometimes reside in my woods...that remains to be seen. (I did scare off the panther last summer...but I don't think it was so much me, as it was my tractor....)

Cookiemonsta

Hurry up and squirt water if necessary.

Cus' the dog owners afterwards.

I've been bitten twice by dogs (neither time was on the bike though) and I believe that no amount of talking to the dog would get me out of either of those situations. I also dont feel like stopping for every damn dog that barks at me. I will have to stop my ride 3/4 times before I even get out of the city.

Dont get me wrong, I love dogs. But I'd rather just avoid them entirely if they have numskull owners

Taipei325

Feral dogs on my routes...I dare you to stop. Really. These poor animals live on the edge of survival...I was chased by a 3-legged dog that somehow survived loosing half his right front leg. He's not really going in for the sweet talk.

I do agree that it helps to talk to dogs. Let them know you are coming and not surprise them when they are laying out on the road getting some sun. Pepper spray and water bottles...I wouldn't have the time.

I will take my chances that I can outrun the dog rather than take the chance that stopping will dissuade them from biting.

AdelaaR

HTFU and ride harder?

elboGreaze

I also deal with this by dropping the hammer and leaving them behind. I guess if I had to stop and dis-mount , I would talk to (yell at) the dog and keep my bike between me and the dog.

surgeonstone

When dogs are roaming wild they have no home turf to protect and usually just watch you ride by.

surgeonstone

The trouble with this approach is that the dog has won and its behavior has been reinforced to the chagrin of he next rider. You are thinking yeah, what a stud, I left that guy in the dust. The dog meanwhile sees it has successfully chased off another intruder to masters territory. Better to simply acknowledge in a friendly manner and keep the same pace going. If the aggression continues to escalate then deal with it from there. Remember they are pack animal and if they come at you in twos or threes be wary of what is happening behind you.

coasting 

I don't care. We're all out for ourselves when it comes to survival on a ride. In fact, I wish the next rider were with me so that I only have to out-sprint him and not the dogs.

Looigi

Yes. That's why scuba divers use the buddy system and carry knives. If a shark approaches, cut your buddy and swim like mad.

surgeonstone

Nice attitude.

surgeonstone

Survival? You're on a bike ride for christ sakes, not roaming the jungles of Africa. Point is if you regularly ride a given route, as I do, then repeating the same behavior ultimately effects you . Better to train the dog since the owner is unwilling apparently to do so. I have many repeat dogs. If they continue with aggression I will go to a well placed shot of pepper spray. If this fails I will talk with the owner and show him photos of my last encounter with a pit bull and the legal action that ensued.

This particular dog was not a barker, silent, swift and right at me in a blur.

coasting 

OMG...that was from a dog? After seeing that, there is no way I will stop to talk to an angry dog.

cplager

Oh man! I did not see that coming. (Now I'm trying to explain to my 3 year old why I'm laughing)

banerjek

Also, sprinting only works under certain circumstances and increases your chances of crashing as well as getting chewed up if you "almost" get away.

Just wondering if the injuries in the pic were caused by a dog induced crash, getting mauled, or both.

surgeonstone

Well not exactly, that is from the pavement intersecting with my head through a cracked helmet after the dog was run over by me on the cycle, said cycle cartwheeling over the now prostrate dog and hurling me skyward to suffer these lacerations and many more, 1 broken rib and a concussion that put me in La La land for 5 or 6 minutes.