Had an unnerving experience yesterday when approached by an extemely large and boisterous dog (off leash) with owner some 50 yards away. Fact it was dark out in a quiet area (only me and the dog / owner) made it worse.
Is there any reliable defense mechanism against an uncontrolled dog? I tried stopping and standing my ground but dog not keen on taking commands from me or the owner.
At least you were running! I got chased by dogs swimming. I run faster than I swim, for sure!
Been there; good reflex’s and a foul mouth towards the owner’s
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If you have a water bottle with you try squirting the dog. I’ve always wanted to try it but they never chase me long enough.
I think the only reason dogs chase you is because they think you are invading their territory. They always stop after a certain distance from their house/owner, even if you are on your bike and they are still running faster than you.
So basically keep running/riding away and they should stop eventually.
I am a pretty small chick with a slight fear of dogs - I have found that if a dog is getting too close for comfort, I stop running, stand still and (attempt) to sound intimidating and yell, “NO!!” The dog either stops and stays still or they go back to where they came from. I also slightly change my posture to match up with my voice. And I also have to remind myself that in the past, no dog has ever attacked/bit me which makes me calmer. Just because the dog is boisterous doesn’t mean they’re going to hurt you, but it’s definitely unnerving after dark, etc.
My pet hate…
It annoys the hell out of me and I don’t hold back in letting the owners know. I let them know that they may think their dog won’t bite but every owner says that. They also might not be afraid of their dog, that doesn’t mean other people can feel as safe.
Standing still - face the dog and shout sternly at it as above. Don’t deliberately hold hands up in the air as they think you’re wanting them to jump up and get them.
Face them like you’re ready to fight a midgit - front on, hands low but ready to fend if you have to.
I hate dog owners who don’t exercise their dogs on a leash or in a designated off leash area.
I live in Mumbai, India and on my morning runs I encounter at least 10 dogs per outing. Many are just listless in the heat but others really get riled up. Recently, on a long run in prep for a marathon, I was backed into a pile of rubble by 6 angry dogs (they often lurk behind rickshaws or near construction/destruction sites). I was forced to grab a handful of stones and toss them at the dogs…luckily that settled it and I ran off.
I have, though, noticed locals stopping, standing strong, and raising a hand toward the dog. This counters advice of post above but it has seemed to work for me. Am I risking the dogs jumping toward my hand?
If anybody has any advice for facing down bold rats (two or three each morning), let me know.
Water bottle squirt, pepper spray, loud and firmly shouted “NO or SIT” (commands most dogs know), although for some reason I always end up yelling “STOP” which I doubt anyone teaches their dog.
While the large dogs tend to spook me a bit more when I’m riding, it’s the Jack Russell and smaller dogs that have been my biggest problem running. Most of the big dogs I’ve come across are happy to come say hello when I stop riding or running. The little yappy dogs always try to circle around behind for a sneak attack.
The dog is usually just curious or thinks you want to play.
I have no patience for these owners though, and will often tell them to put a leash on their fing dog quite loudly. When they inevitably say “he won’t hurt anyone” I will actually stop and give them a piece of my mind. I have two dogs and they are never off leash except in designated areas or in a fenced park.
keep jogging until the dog is a few meters away, as if the dog is not there. Then turn around suddenly, make yourself as big as you can, scream something as loud as you can and sprint towards the dog. You would be surprised how scared even big dogs are when they turn from predator to prey unexpectedly. The trick is to not turn around too soon. If you run towards the dog too soon it will have time to anticipate and it might keep running to you. If you wait long enough, you scare the shit out of every dog this way.
I have no fear of animals, for good or bad, I suppose. I assume all dogs are good dogs that just want to play or get to know me, and truthfully, I can afford the 30 seconds out of my run to be friendly back. In the rare cases where I run into a bad dog, my initial assumption that they are a good dog often disarms them enough to allow me to go on without a problem. However, if it is necessary to defend yourself, the most important thing to remember is that they can sense weakness and fear. Control both and you are usually OK. And if all else fails, do an Arnold!
Had an unnerving experience yesterday when approached by an extemely large and boisterous dog (off leash) with owner some 50 yards away. Fact it was dark out in a quiet area (only me and the dog / owner) made it worse.
Is there any reliable defense mechanism against an uncontrolled dog? I tried stopping and standing my ground but dog not keen on taking commands from me or the owner.
a kick to the head or ribs? Sorry a dog just isn’t going to bring me down.
Wolf or mountain lion? probably not. Pack of wolves? It might slow my pace down a little.
Two tricks. First, I yell at dogs in spanish. They can tell something is different and probably think I am crazy.
Second trick is to pick up a rock or at least pretend to pick up a rock. If the dog is up to no good that will probably get scared. If it is the usual playfuy dog they will think you are playing fetch. If the dog keeps coming then you have a rock to throw at it.
Dog owners get real upset if they think you are going to throw a rock at their nice dog who would never harm anyone.
Water bottle squirt, pepper spray, loud and firmly shouted “NO or SIT” (commands most dogs know), although for some reason I always end up yelling “STOP” which I doubt anyone teaches their dog.
While the large dogs tend to spook me a bit more when I’m riding, it’s the Jack Russell and smaller dogs that have been my biggest problem running. Most of the big dogs I’ve come across are happy to come say hello when I stop riding or running. The little yappy dogs always try to circle around behind for a sneak attack.
Agreed on 2 accounts. “No” is a word that 99% of all dogs will know and respond. Use it loudly and sternly. Also, the bigger dogs tend to be the least worrisome.
Do you actually carry pepper spray on a run? I have a hard enough time bringing a water bottle.
a kick to the throat slows their roll…
i do a run-bike-run work out every Monday at the same park location (ride out on the roads, run on the straight trail). every week there is a ‘new’ person that decides their dog doesn’t need to be on a leash or BETTER YET is the dog that is on a 5million foot leash that extends across the trail so they can trip you and then lunge at you. good times.
i always adjust my stride in preparation for the ‘kick to the head’, thankfully I’ve only had to execute the mid stride ‘jump to the side’ in avoidance to a lunging nipper. if i wasn’t usually winded from the pace i would give the owners an ear full…but alas, i have a workout to finish.
Two tricks. First, I yell at dogs in spanish. They can tell something is different and probably think I am crazy.
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This is pretty funny.
There are a lot of threads on this topic at runningahead.com
Some people suggest you carry pepper spray, if it is legal where you live. Maybe try yelling (so the owner can hear) “Get your dog NOW or I WILL SHOOT IT” obviously you won’t actually be running with a gun (um, I hope) but the owner probably won’t know that.
Related and kind of, um, odd, maybe messed up (but true) story… one of the guys in my old XC team way back in HS told me that when he was a toddler, he was on a walk with his dad and was attacked by a dog who bit him in the face several times (pretty bad apparently, requiring many stitches). His dad got the dog off the kid, rushed the kid to the ER, and when things were calmed down, he then ran back over to the area with the dog, found it, and broke its neck. I think it was in the owner’s front yard or near it when he got back.
My lunch runs and runs home from work leave me dodging mutant mutts through the projects. I’m thinking about taking up karate.
But usually I just carry a stick.
I run a local greeway frequently. Used to see a large number of labs, spaniels and “toy group” dogs being led around by their owners. Recently the trend seems to be pit bulls. And most of the time the owners seem to be struggling keeping the dog under control. I see younger adults being pulled around the greenway by pit bulls. It concerns me because #1 I am there and #2 there are alot of young children on the greenway. Yeah, yeah I am sure 99% of pit bulls are just sugar & spice and everything nice but I still wish these dog owners would walk their big, cotton candy dogs somewhere else.
Two tricks. First, I yell at dogs in spanish. They can tell something is different and probably think I am crazy.
I live in El Paso, TX. I yell in English to get the same response. A Loud and Stern “NO!” while turning to face the dog usually works.
.380 ACP…double tap.