Chased by dogs on bike - what do you do? (Page 2)

I tend sprint as fast as I can and then yell firmly and loud at the dog to "GO HOME!".  Sometimes just the yelling is enough to startle them.  Remember that most of the stuff they chase doesn't yell back.

There was a dog on a route I used regularly that chased me a bunch of times.  I learned that it was good if he spotted me late so I would try to be quiet coming up to the corner.  And I would carry dog biscuits in my back pocket to throw as "chaff".

I've never had a dog that caught me or went further than a few hundred yards though.  And it doesn't seem to be a big problem on the roads I ride here in Florida believe it or not!

Chased by dog on bike? Was it this guy?

Come to North Carolina, I guarantee I am slower than you!!! 

LOL!!!!!        I could so out ride this dog!  He wont catch me!

You should have a warning with something like that. I just spit coffee all over my computer screen. Now that is funny!!!!!!!

Just act like they are not there.  Ride normal, do not look at them or acknowledge them, all they want to do is chase you, so if you act like you could care less, they will usually quickly get bored and stop.  I have used this quite effectively numerous times. 

There is also the option of getting dog mace.  If you (or people in your area) use it on frequent offenders, the dogs begin to associate you reaching for it with the actual mace and there is little need to use it.

I haven't really had a problem that wasn't resolved with my water bottle.  But I'm not afraid of dogs either and have thought about stopping and getting to know the dog, just haven't needed to yet.

But one funny thing I really want to share is a dog incident I had last year.  I was riding along and I see this dog in the road up ahead.  He sees me and takes off directly away from me in full flight.  He was stinking terrified of me!  Perhaps it was my blinking handlebar light.  The thing did a quarter mile down the road at about my bike speed (20mph) until it got to his yard, banked hard right and sprinted to the back of the house!  I could almost see terror in his eyes.

I was doing an out and back and saw him again on the way back.  This time, same thing.  He sprinted full out straight down the road again about a quarter mile as I came up behind.  He got to a dirt road that went off the the right, made the turn...I expected to see him around the corner looking sheepishly at me, but when I arrived at the dirt road and looked right as I passed, he was still in full flight 200 yards down that road and still going, afraid to look back!

I felt like humans had scored a point that day in the dog vs. cyclist war. 

So funny and well timed! I will probably be laughing about that all day...

I have encountered many of dog in the wee hours of the morning riding/running.  I choose not to wear headphones so that I can hear any odd or unusual sounds that come my way.  If the dog acts as though it will give chase, then I take a stomp towards it and yell/GROWL " GO HOME!" this has been 99% effective, once while biking i had some issues with some little dogs trying to get all aggressive on me...one was even jumping up to grab my ankle (i was on a mtb and not going very fast plus I don't believe they learn anything if you just outride them) I gave the little guy a nice solid tap on the snout with my foot.....haven't seen them since.  I live in a rural area though and the majority of the dogs here are not "dangerous" breeds, just mutts out looking for trouble lol.

dogs can sense fear...smell it even, and in some dogs this will encourage them to be more aggressive.  I have found that the few times I have encountered a dog that was intent on being aggressive (tail down hair spiked etc) that looking it in the eyes while growling "I will kill you if you come near me" (and meaning it) has worked quite well. 

and if all else fails, attack the dog back. poke its eyes out! break its nose! dont' go down without a fight!

I have tried a lot of things.  Probably the pepper spray is the best for vicious dogs.  The only problem is you don't generally need to use it if you are riding with a group.  When there are only a couple of us riding. I will get between the dog and the other riders.  So there is not much chance of spraying your buddy.

A close second and something that will not hurt the dog.  Go to Walmart and get a 1.5 oz Attwood signal horn.  It is small enough for your jersey pocket and very loud.  It will stop most dogs in their tracks. Here is a link to order a similar one.

http://boatingsavings.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/falcon-portable-push-button-jr-signal-horn.aspx?a=624388

They have at least 10 short blast.  It is amazing how quick the dog will go the other way.

I've encountered many dogs over the years while cycling, and fortunately, I've never been bitten.  I usually use one of the methods described in other posts.  Yelling "NO" or "GO HOME" as loud as you can in a deep voice generally works with most dogs.  I've used the squirt from the water bottle trick too, and I've even hit a couple of dogs on the nose with my water bottle.  Back in the day, when we carried full size frame pumps, the pump was very effective tool for "discouraging" dogs.  I've also just sprinted and out run the dog.  If all else fails and the dog gets the jump on you, get off the bike and put it between you and the dog.  Use your bike as a weapon if you have to.

Most importantly, as others have stated, don't act like you are afraid of the dog.

Food can work if you have no other options.  But if the dog is a "regular" on your route, I'd bring some negative reinforcement the next ride.  Otherwise he'll remember you're the one with treats.  I guess you have to decide if he's really vicious or if he's just trying to run alongside you.

Lots of great suggestions. I've got vinegar, water and tiny squirt bottle right here at home. I'll start with that.  I love the horn idea!

Just to clarify, I'm not afraid of the dogs. Just annoyed. Now if I see a pit bull coming after me I will probably be afraid! Most of the dogs I see are just jogging along for fun and making a game out of my ride. I would just prefer that they learn to stay home and stay out of traffic.

Thanks!

If the dog is coming from an angle it sometimes works to slow down, wait till they get a bit closer then take off. His angle of attack will be off and he will have a harder time intercepting you.

Last dog that chased me, I brought him in close, hit the brakes hard and growled NO as loud and mean as I could. He stopped instantly and took off the other way.

I had a blue heeler chase me once, he was not going to stop and he was dang fast too (I was on a MTB). He tried to bite so I kicked backward as hard as I could. Caught him right in the nose, I heard a loud POP, then he hit the ground hard, started rolling and whining. Pretty sure I did some major damage on that one, his owner was sitting on the porch and got to see the whole thing. Hopefully taught them both a lesson.

People are generally pretty good about keeping their dogs behind fences around here. But I have decided to start packing this year. If not the dogs there are some agressive people around here as well that like to follow and harass people.

Oh, and I could never put my baby in harms way by using it as a shield. Gotta make sacrifices for the ones we love so I'd take the bite before I put my bike in the middle.

I go into Cavendish MODE!

I once kicked them with my cleat and got bit at the same time, worked out okay but probably just that time.

Serious question - Have you ever shot a dog or taken a shot at a dog while riding your bike?

plain scary