Another post got me thinking about this, I have had some really close calls with dogs while riding. I can’t figure out why they love chasing cyclists. Are they trying to play? or eat me? Part me wants to stop and pet them, but usually I just panic and try to outsprint them. I know at some point one of them is going to take me down though, so…what do you do?
if I am on a flat section, I book it. If going up or even down a hill and I see a dog off the leash I will slow right down and talk really sweet to it. If it looks like it will try and nip my ankles I get the water bottle ready to spray water/infinit at him. 
I think dogs know when you are scared and that makes them think they should be chasing you. My approach with dogs that threaten me somehow is to calm my nerves, tell them “No, go home!!” with a very confident, low, powerful voice and then get out of the situation. On foot, that means walking away, not running. Not exactly sure how to do that on a bike.
Assertive voice to STOP. Or try to throw them a dog biscuit.
I take a little thing of Mace with me when I go on long rides into the middle of nowhere. Although, when I have been chased, I realize that there is no way I would have the time to unclip, get off my bike, pull out the mace, turn the little safety knob and spray without already losing my jewels. I usually just book it and have serve as one heck of an interval. If I get caught going uphill, which hasn’t happened yet, I s’pose I’ll either turn around quickly and book it down hill and try again later or, well…, I don’t know.
99.9% of the dogs are playing. Some don’t even leave their property line but still like to chase.
I yell a loud “NO”. Worked every single time so far.
I also slow down whenever I see a dog. Some riders deliberately speed up and try to out run them. Then the dog thinks it’s a game. Unfortunately, a guy I know does this all the time. All he has accomplished is to train the dogs that chasing cyclists is fun. I’ve given him sh*t for it, but since he’s never owned a dog, he just doesn’t get it.
I usually yell the old southern standard for dogs and children “getonoutahere”. But if the dog continues to charge I have found a squirt in the face from my water bottle will scare the dog breaking it’s charge.
Assertive voice to STOP. Or try to throw them a dog biscuit.
For the sake of other cyclists, and the safety of the dog, please don’t do this. Why reward the dog for chasing you?
When he gets a treat for running after you in the street, is he more or less likely to run into the street next time a bike goes by?
I’ve had success (and quite a bit of fun) by riding right at them and screaming like a dog eating manic. If you time it right you can make them fall down as they try to instantly change direction to get away from you. (I like to think they then go back and complain to their friends about how much it sucks to get chased by crazy cyclists).
My biggest dog issue is dealing with the ones on long leashes. I worry more about being clotheslined than I do about being mauled.
In all my years of rural riding, I run into lots of dogs. I think I’ve used the biscuit trick twice out of hundreds of times. If the dogs doesn’t stop when I yell stop, I don’t think my giving him a biscuit versus my not giving him a biscuit is going to stop his behavior in the future. The owner has to control the dog and teach it rules. I’m looking out for my safety. better he mauls a biscuit than my leg. I’ll keep using the assertive voice, which works 99% of the time, but I’ll still use another standby if it means my safety.
Just outrunning them is always the best choice … or a squirt of water. For those that are large and evil, the old style frame pumps are a great weapon. A “touch” with the pump will convince nearly all large dogs that you are not worth chasing … just be sure you know how to counterbalance yourself before you swing it … or the dog may have a free meal with you on the ground when you crash!
Dave
“If you time it right you can make them fall down”
About a year ago I was coming around a tight corner where there is always a dog barking behind a gated driveway and he was yipping as usual although this time he sounded closer. I looked and the gate was open and he was coming hard. I was up on the cranks powering my way out and about when it was obvious he wasn’t going to get me (although he was damn close) I turned my head and yelled something that made him veer to the right and then he tripped and did about 4 somersaults at top speed. It looked like one of those end-over-end race car crashes. I was laughing for the rest of the ride. I have never seen a dog make such a klutzy move.
For loose (unleashed) dogs I will usually go after them, unclip and try to kick them and then I will usually yell obcenities at their owner (if present).
I have found that wearing my Michael Vick jersey when training works best.
That’s probably a great idea. Hopefully none of Vicks’ pitbulls got loose from his “training facility” … they might have a real grudge to settle with you!
I have found that wearing my Michael Vick jersey when training works best.
Quote of the day!
f*ing classic!
Yeah, I figured they are playing. I guess, I usually think more about staying upright, I don’t even know if I have ever yelled or sprayed water, nor has it crossed my mind at the time. I’ll give it a shot. Thanks! I could never mace a dog unless it was clear it was there to do some damage. I love dogs, in fact I like the ones that just run on the other side of the street running along vs. chasing.
Ride really fast and try to maintain som distance between them and me.
Maybe I’m lucky, but I have been riding and running for years and have never had an issue with a dog. It might be because I am a dog owner and don’t view them running toward me as an aggressive move. Most of the time, I just look right at them and say something to them, or bark back if I’m in the mood.
Like others, a strong NO almost always works for me, or at least makes them pause a second so you can get a jump down the road.
Except for the time when the dog popped out from behind a bush and ran right in front of me (not chasing) while I was sitting up drinking from my water bottle and stretching my back. In that case it was the bike sailing through the air and almost landing on top of him, after I endoed during a one-handed panic stop, that made him go away. He is definitely now scared of cyclists. However, I don’t recommend this method.