Well, not really, but I suffered my worst dog bite ever on Tuesday, wanted to share it with the forum, but to more importantly wanted open a discussion on how others avoid animal interactions.
I posted a blog www.johnpostmdsblog.blogspot.com so, to be brief with the details, while biking on Tuesday, quite far from home and out of cell phone service, I had a dog rip into my right calf which bled so much that my white sock quickly became red. A wash-out with my bike water bottle to get as much dog saliva out as I could followed and then a trip to the doc’s for a scrub and tetanus booster (ouch!)
I’m told that some riders use pepper spray but have heard that it may sensitize the dog to be more aggressive toward subsequent riders and I wouldn’t want that. I’ve yelled at many dogs in the past, even sprayed them with my water bottle. Would love to hear other interesting methods to keep the dogs away.
Fortunately, people in MA tend to keep their dogs penned and I don’t recall any dog coming after me in the past 7 years while biking. Other places I’ve lived, the adrenaline kicks in and I’ve always been fast enough and lucky enough.
OT - a crazy french film has that title, Man Bites Dog. I liked it, but it is not for the tame.
Bicycling magazine had an interesting suggestion I might try if I started to encounter aggressive dogs on the routes I ride. Rather than pepper spray (which they recommended against because of the danger of blowback), they suggest carrying a small airhorn. Could probably fit one into a jersey pocket, but if you accidentally hit it when you’re putting something else into your pocket you’d scare the crap out of yourself.
Don’t know whether a close-range airhorn blast would cause permanent damage to a dog’s hearing, though. Would be worth looking into that issue, I guess.
Jennifer-an answer you might not have expected…my wife is a doctor…and besides, I’d have a tough time giving myself a tetanus shot! Good news though, the animal control folks let me know that this dogs rabies shots are up to date. I’ve heard the rabies series is one of those things in life you’d like to avoid if possible.
Ouch - sorry to hear John. Water bottle if I have time, otherwise unclip and a kick in the nose usually stops them. I ride in Northern Kentucky sometimes in the hills/hollers’ and EVERY house has dogs on the loose. Great training …
Bicycling magazine had an interesting suggestion I might try if I started to encounter aggressive dogs on the routes I ride. Rather than pepper spray (which they recommended against because of the danger of blowback), they suggest carrying a small airhorn. Could probably fit one into a jersey pocket, but if you accidentally hit it when you’re putting something else into your pocket you’d scare the crap out of yourself.
Don’t know whether a close-range airhorn blast would cause permanent damage to a dog’s hearing, though. Would be worth looking into that issue, I guess.
Not to be rude, but why? If you had a human mugger coming at you, you’d pop out that airhorn in a second if you thought it would work and hearing be damned. Why would a dog get more consideration? If I have a dog about to attack me, and I have to choose between me and a deaf or worse dog, I choose me.
For the OP: When I rode in the sticks in Colorado, I carried an escrima stick on the bike (Length of 1" rattan). Only had to use it once, but a good whop across the snout of a farm dog saved me from what happened to you.
Sorry to hear about the dog bite. In the Des Moines River Valley of central Iowa, a farm dog once tore after me only to be hit by a semi-truck barreling down the other side – the dog lost.
Don’t know whether a close-range airhorn blast would cause permanent damage to a dog’s hearing, though. Would be worth looking into that issue, I guess.
Not to be rude, but why? If you had a human mugger coming at you, you’d pop out that airhorn in a second if you thought it would work and hearing be damned. Why would a dog get more consideration? If I have a dog about to attack me, and I have to choose between me and a deaf or worse dog, I choose me.
I guess that it's worth knowing just so that you can determine how aggressive a dog should be before you act. If a close-range airhorn blast would, in fact, cause hearing damage, then I'd want to make sure that the dog was actually out to cause bodily harm, and not just chasing playfully.
For a dog that does intend to attack, I have no issue with retaliating with whatever means are necessary.
Ah, my misunderstanding, I got confused by you calling a Dr. when you already are a Dr. Sorry that came off bitchy. I was thinking about it on my run today and was bothered by how I worded it.
If the dog seems particularly vicious and dangerous, I dismount, put the bike between myself and the animal. A few aggressive thrusts of the bike in the direction of the dogs face usually scare them off. I then gradually back up, keeping my eyes on the mutt. Usually there is some boundary that they won’t cross. Only once have I had a dog go the equivalent of several blocks up the road with me.
Surprised that no dog lovers have chimed in defense of the dogs.
Believe it or not, I have had great results just talking to the dog. No, not sitting down and discussing the effects of the economy on his supply of Milkbone treats, but a firm “NO” or “STAY” can quite often back him off, most dogs are used to that command. I have only once had to come to a stop and dismount, but still saying, “NO” the whole time while the owner came to get him (of course I was fortunate that the owner was in the yard). Most dogs seem affected by the motion, once you stop, a lot will no longer perceive you as a threat, although I’m sure there are countless stories where this hasn’t held true.
I have an air horn on my commuter for when I am being chased down by yapping SUV crivers. I’ll let you know how it works with dogs when the situation arises.
but a firm “NO” or “STAY” can quite often back him off, most dogs are used to that command.
When I’m running, I’ve always yelled a very mad, “GET OFF THE COUCH!”. Not sure if it is the command or the tone, but it stops them. Then I usually yell, “Go home” and point the way they came.
