Exercise R Us

Question:

I’m a bicyclist, and of course I have had an occasional bout with a dog.  Does any one know of a tactic or device to discourage a chasing dog. It is not my place to stop and befriend these animals which are in the roadway illegally. Nor is it the reason which I ride a bike. So suggestions of stop and "Nice Doggie" these snarling beast will bear no fruit. I have been wrecked, injured and put into the hospital. One on One confrontations with the owners (if known) may only place me at greater risk from the dog’s drooling owners. They have seen the behavior and do nothing. I am a dog owner and lover myself. I wish no harm to these dogs. However, I’m down to the point of using harsh chemicals to warrant my safety. I have used all the standard cyclist doggie tricks, but I still have two on my regular route which will not stop chasing. In fact their aggression has grown. Again, does any one know of a tactic or device to discourage a chasing dog. — je cliff Some mornings it’s not worth chewing through the straps.

Response:

Does your town not have a leash law?  Have you tried talking with the police?  It’s usually the owners who are at fault and they should be cited and fined.  Look into the law, and if the local authorities aren’t enforcing it consider putting some pressure on. Seems to me most public officials would be at least susceptible to persuasion on this kind of thing. Yours, Mark (bicyclist and dog owner)

Response:

I know that this is a huge, annoying albatross in the bike circuit. My SO is an avid cyclist (both road and mountain biking) and up until now I have persuaded him to hold off on the pepper spray…buying the pups some more time. But he has been "hounded" as well by dogs off-lead just a roaming. Many are aggressive to bikers and their owners are completely ignorant. I feel for you. Both the dogs and the cyclists life are in danger here and this is the fault of incredibly stupid people. And while many would say "change your route", I wouldn’t–I can understand that 1) there is always another dog around the corner and that 2) a personal great route, once found, is a sacred thing.  Even though I hate to say it—carry the pepper spray anyway–for when you are in remote areas. But first, if you can, go by when you are not biking one day. Talk to the owners of the dog if you know who they are. Speak rationally, calmly and pleasantly. Outline your situation. If it is not corrected or they become belligerent, phone Animal Control and see what the next step may be. Good luck. Cheers, Cin & Sid (85# spoiled lapdog—waiting for his gorgeous red sis to come home—12 days and counting!!) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Does your town not have a leash law?  Have you tried talking with the > police?  It’s usually the owners who are at fault and they should be cited > and fined.  Look into the law, and if the local authorities aren’t enforcing > it consider putting some pressure on. > Seems to me most public officials would be at least susceptible to > persuasion on this kind of thing. > Yours, > Mark (bicyclist and dog owner)

Response:

Doesn’t pepper spray work.  I love dogs, not just my own, but I would have no trouble spraying a dog if it chased me.  I wouldn’t be concerned if leash laws applied or not.  If pepper spray isn’t effective on dogs, something else certainly is. When I’ve had dogs chase after me while riding, they seem to especially like to stay dangerously close to the ankles.  I’d prefer a spray to stop the dog, but a length of broom handle ought to work nicely in any event.  There is no obligation to be bitten first. — Scott Methvin "The entire Balkans aren’t worth the bones of one dead soldier"  Kaiser Wilhelm

Response:

>I’m a bicyclist, and of course I have had an occasional bout >with a dog.  Does any one know of a tactic or device to >discourage a chasing dog.

Well, you could try my favourite ruse. Get a spray bottle, fill it with some soapy water (or a mild solution of household ammonia) and leave a fine mist behind you as the dog approaches. Another trick is to tie together a string of "rattle cans" (empty tin cans containing 12 to 15 pennies) and drop it when the dog is coming up behind you. It usually scares the ***** out of them and they stop.  The trick is to make chasing, a natural instinctive behaviour, an unpleasent practice.  Good luck.   – Bob

Response:

> >I’m a bicyclist, and of course I have had an occasional bout >with a dog.  Does any one know of a tactic or device to >discourage a chasing dog. > Well, you could try my favourite ruse. Get a spray bottle, fill it with some > soapy water (or a mild solution of household ammonia) and leave a fine mist > behind you as the dog approaches. Another trick is to tie together a string > of "rattle cans" (empty tin cans containing 12 to 15 pennies) and drop it > when the dog is coming up behind you. It usually scares the ***** out of > them and they stop.  The trick is to make chasing, a natural instinctive > behaviour, an unpleasent practice.

Forgot.. sorry.. How do you apply this method to use when your OWN dogs are bicycling with you? Terri

Response:

> >I’m a bicyclist, and of course I have had an occasional bout >with a dog.  Does any one know of a tactic or device to >discourage a chasing dog. > Well, you could try my favourite ruse. Get a spray bottle, fill it with some > soapy water (or a mild solution of household ammonia) and leave a fine mist > behind you as the dog approaches. Another trick is to tie together a string > of "rattle cans" (empty tin cans containing 12 to 15 pennies) and drop it > when the dog is coming up behind you. It usually scares the ***** out of > them and they stop.  The trick is to make chasing, a natural instinctive > behaviour, an unpleasent practice.  

You know? As a bicyclist, and a die hard dog owner that has been terrorized to death by chasing dogs and has tried everything else up til now, but… this a new one to me.. I WILL try this and see if if works. Thanks! Terri

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