I dont even have a bike yet, but I have been putting together a tour/light camping kit in heady anticipation, so maybe I shouldnt be talking.

For thousands of years, from the first wolf pup taken in by the first caveman, we have been killing dogs that bite. Thousands of years of selective breeding have resulted in breeds of dogs that tend to not bite people.

The caveman killed their bite prone dogs because they didn't want thier dogs biting their kids. There are some dog owners that don't take this much responsibility for their animals. These are the dogs that chase you down the road.

My advice, if you are in a confrontation with a dog, scare the hell out of it. Hurt it. And if it bites you, even a nip, kill it. With a hatchet, with a knife, or with a spare brake cable. Sure you love dogs, and they love you, but you are not going to be there next time that dog chases a person. Next time that dog chases a human, it might be somebodys kid, that doesnt know how to keep a dog from biting them.

Elmira,

Many excellent suggestions for dealing with dogs have been posted in this thread. Normally, the "dismount/yell" method is the way to go.

On the other hand, I respectfully suggest that you still take Halt! in the event that an especially viscious dog--or dogs--come at you no matter what you try to do. Obviously, you need to avoid being bitten at all costs. Even a minor bite would require medical treatment and the possibility of having to wait for the results of a rabies test on the dog. Further, many people every year suffer terrible injuries in dog attacks. And this can even happen to people who feel they "know how to deal with dogs."

If a dog is meaning to hurt you no matter what, you will know it almost immediately. If he is lunging for your leg or body with teeth bared and is not backing off no matter what you do, use the spray--or whatever means are at your disposal. Again, you should only use the spray as a last resort.

In a long tour, you will come across countless dogs, so the odds of a more determined attack are increased.

Dismount/yell is the way to go in the vast majority of cases. But, that method may not work every time, and I respectfully suggest that you prepare for that possibility as well.

Wolfy

I would not hesitate to do everything possible to kill any dog stupid enough to attack me.
If I'm unable to kill it during the attack, I'd kill it afterwards, or force the owner, using whatever means necessary, to have the dog killed.

In my opinion, dogs are lethal weapons, and should not be allowed to be owned by the general public, and never kept outside adequate fencing-in.

I think much of these discussions have been about one or two dogs. I've been chased by 5 or 6 dogs before, on gravel road. What do you do then? Luckily, they seemed to just wanted to play. I didn't give them a sign of panic (I don't know where I got that courage), I just cycled as if they weren't there.

But if a pack of wolves come chasing me... I don't know. I'll need a big sword and learn some martial arts.

Yes, learn to read dog's body language. If they are bouncing from side to side, they are playing. If they are coming straight with head low or head high, watch out!

A dog that is really set on taking a piece out of you is not going to be yapping all the way toward you. Most likely it will be silent. By the time it's lunging at you' it's too late for the spray, even if it's on your handlebar.

Thanks CdCf. I was thinking I was the only "nut" here. Killing animals is frowned on in America, if you disregard the massive amounts of beef we stuff ourselves with.

If someones lawn mower charged me, I would not hesitate to destroy it with a bat, and inform its owner that they had a malfunctioning piece of equipment. If a dog charges me, my only hesitation is the legality of dischaging a firearm in public. If I feel that it is safe to fire my weapon, I dont care if the dog is serious or if he is playing. My person is valuable, the dog is property.

If I lived somewhere where a firearm wasnt safe or against the law, I would have a can of bear spray, a tazer, and my Ka-bar. I have thumbs, I will do my damndest to not let a dog best me.