Originally Posted by qwaalodge

Dog are more likely to turn aggressive towards anything that don't look or smell familiar to them. Dogs recognize by smell, form, and movement.

Smell is a huge deal to dogs. Keep smells as little as possible. Avoid fabric softener, perfume, cologne, strong smelling soap / shampoo. Shower after every workout or any activity that makes you sweat. Avoid eating red meat / exotic foods before a ride. Keep your BMI under 23.

You'll find dogs are less likely to chase women due to less body odor and less meat on diet. Someone on a bike is less likely to be seen as prey by dog. More often than not, if chased, they see you as a threat

Appearance will also matter. In this aspect, simply try to blend in. If all the cyclists in your area are riding on cruiser bikes and not wearing helmets you'll greatly improve your chance of avoiding catching dog's attention if you also ride on cruise bikes and not wear helmet.. I'm only saying it as an example, not to discourage anyone from wearing a helmet. I wear helmet in all my outdoor rides too even in short 5 minute rides.

Finally, movement. Avoid any rough, sudden movements. Make smooth delivery of power on the pedal. Avoid abrupt pedaling, avoid aggressive motions on the bike. Avoid unusual postures. Riding like a clown will absolutely get a dog's attention from miles away.


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Originally Posted by livedarklions

Is your list of made-up facts going to get longer every time someone mentions a dog?

The pedaling technique stuff is hilarious! Dogs hate an uneven cadence, I guess.

Originally Posted by livedarklions

The pedaling technique stuff is hilarious! Dogs hate an uneven cadence, I guess.

Originally Posted by qwaalodge

Yes, too much contrast and you look like a giant bee.

Try wearing light colored shirt, pants, and gloves next time and also wear clear, not shaded eyewear. That high vis vest and helmet would still be quite visible even if you wear light colored shirt and pants.

Originally Posted by livedarklions

I heard the sounds of airplanes upset dogs, but they hide it well. Should I avoid riding anywhere that has skies?

Dogs are color-blind by the way.

Originally Posted by qwaalodge

Some will get mad at you by being the odd guy in a forum.

It's the same thing with dogs. They also single out the odd guy but there's more to dogs than just how you look, dogs will also discriminate by how odd you smell or move.

Maybe if the all the riders in the area have uneven cadence and you as stranger to that area also have uneven cadence, maybe the local dogs will leave you alone! But yeah, an uneven cadence can appear like you could hurt someone.

Originally Posted by qwaalodge

Dogs actually see colors - shades of gray, brown, blue, and yellow. They can certainly recognize the flag of Ukraine.

https://www.purina.com/articles/dog/...dogs-see-color

Originally Posted by livedarklions

Colorblindness is not the absolute inability to see color, it's a level of sensitivity to color that's lower than "normal". Compared to humans, dogs are colorblind. There's absolutely no reason to believe that they react aggressively to yellow.

Originally Posted by qwaalodge

Dogs are familiar with wasps and may react defensively if the color patterns you wear makes you look like a wasp from a distance.

Originally Posted by qwaalodge

Often dogs will also associate the smell of alcohol as a threat signal.

Originally Posted by qwaalodge

I think they react more to patterns and contrast. Dogs are familiar with wasps and may react defensively if the color patterns you wear makes you look like a wasp from a distance. Helmet and dark eyewear can make you look like a wasp, worse if you got stripes on your shirt or pants.

In addition to being the odd guy, you may also get attacked if you get associated with threats, like appearing like a wasp. Often dogs will also associate the smell of alcohol as a threat signal. The smell of exotic foods (particularly exotic meat) are often treated the same as alcohol.

Originally Posted by indyfabz

These are wheels for a Nissan Cube. Know what I'm sayin'?

Originally Posted by Koyote

Truth! As everyone knows, John Belushi was killed by a pack of enraged dogs.






If dogs reacted aggressively to the smell of alcohol, my dogs would've killed me years ago.

Originally Posted by qwaalodge

Some dogs will associate the smell of alcohol with abusive behavior especially they had previous or current owner who are abusive as alcoholic.

If you are nice to your dogs, I don't see drinking a pint a problem but other dogs may not be as kind.

Originally Posted by qwaalodge

Some dogs will associate the smell of alcohol with abusive behavior especially they had previous or current owner who are abusive as alcoholic.

If you are nice to your dogs, I don't see drinking a pint a problem but other dogs may not be as kind.

Originally Posted by burnthesheep

The owner has already shown no concern for larger society nor the dog. You don't forgo personal safety, and possibly your life, because you're afraid of offending the person in the wrong to begin with. People have this mental image of these events with some small furry 35 pound dog that just gets in a few bite marks. People have died from dog attacks.

This is 100% stereotypical victim blaming plain and simple and doesn't have a place in civilized society. That person doesn't get to do whatever they want because you'd rather get mauled to not upset the owner. What then? Avoid the area and do nothing and get mauled just so the next unsuspecting bike rider or God forbid a child gets mauled? No.

Originally Posted by Bald Paul

Wow.
Nowhere in my reply did I even suggest that a rider shouldn't defend themselves against a dog. In fact, I believe I had suggested using HALT! spray. It does the trick without causing permanent harm.
How many children have you shot for riding their bicycles across your lawn?

Originally Posted by indyfabz

These are wheels for a Nissan Cube. Know what I'm sayin'?

Originally Posted by qwaalodge

Often dogs will also associate the smell of alcohol as a threat signal. The smell of exotic foods (particularly exotic meat) are often treated the same as alcohol.

Originally Posted by ColonelSanders

Considering his username is "rumrunn6" he most likely was heavily inebriated and reeked of alcohol, probably of rum, and that sealed his fate.