being chased by dogs..

LifeTakeTwo · April 2012

I put this on Pets too, but this just happened to me on my bike.

Does anyone have any experience and know the best way to react?

I have three herding dogs myself and I made a judgement call on this guy and decided by his bark that he was herding/chasing and not trying to kill me. So I slowed down a lot, turned to look at him, and sternly yelled NO, GO HOME. It worked, but it's making me wonder about next time... Do I stop to end the chase or do I take off and hope I'm faster?

GnomeSweetGnome · April 2012

I always do exactly what you did. I'll even stop completely and face them before telling them to go home. It's always worked for me, although they will still sometimes trail behind me for a while (much further away and slower, though).

GRKaters · April 2012

What you did sounds fine. I carry pepper spray on my fuel belt JIC too. I'm not afraid to use it on a dog any more than I would on a person that was threatening me.

JW28 · April 2012

This is a tricky one. Personally I tend to think that dogs shouldn't be allowed to roam on roads unattended in the first place, but I get that in rural areas it tends to be the norm. My Dad rides a lot in the midwest (land of the cornfields) and often his tactic for dealing with dogs is to squirt them with his water bottle. My main concern is this situation is usually that they'll run in front of me and I'll hit it, causing me to crash, harming me, my bicycle, and the dog. Luckily this has never happened to me. If you have to stop because of a dog, keep your bike between you and the dog and speak forcefully and hope it backs off.

LifeTakeTwo · April 2012

Thanks ladies! I went with my gut, but as I rode away I couldn't stop thinking of the different ways that could have went. Being knocked down was my biggest concern because he was going for my back tire.

daves_sweetpea · April 2012

I'd call your local animal control if he chases you again (or any other dog). They probably won't catch the dog but they can monitor the area if he's always loose. And if they find the owner they can cite them or at least spend some time educating them on pet safety and leash laws.

being chased by dogs..

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