need to brush up on my dog defense skills
04-10-22, 06:34 AM
#26
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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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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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Last edited by Dominae; 04-10-22 at 07:00 AM.
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04-10-22, 06:50 AM
#27
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I have been fortunate, I have rarely had dogs chase me. But one memorable one, years ago was a great big dog, some kinda huge mix breed had gotten out of his fence and seen me coming way off on a country 2 lane. No way I could out run him cause I am slow on a good day. So I figured as he got closer I would stop and put my bicycle between me and the dog, why wreck the bike and get dog bit? Anyway when I stopped the dogs demeanor changed from killer predator wanting to eat me to a big tail wagging, slobbering, licking machine. Got lucky that time.
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04-10-22, 07:15 AM
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Halt works well if you can actually hit the dog. In my experience it has a stream that wouldn't impress a 70 year old. I've also experimented with bear spray leftover from a trip to Glacier. It worked OK but it's a fog so you can't hit the dogs square in the snout or eyes, where they need it. Just sort of confuses them enough for you to get away. IIRC, bear spray is a little stronger than Halt and both are stronger than pepper spray for humans. None of it will permanently damage a dog. There are other solutions for repeat offenders, don't let yourself be bullied by a dog.
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04-10-22, 07:21 AM
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Halt works well if you can actually hit the dog. In my experience it has a stream that wouldn't impress a 70 year old. I've also experimented with bear spray leftover from a trip to Glacier. It worked OK but it's a fog so you can't hit the dogs square in the snout or eyes, where they need it. Just sort of confuses them enough for you to get away. IIRC, bear spray is a little stronger than Halt and both are stronger than pepper spray for humans. None of it will permanently damage a dog. There are other solutions for repeat offenders, don't let yourself be bullied by a dog.
I never saw the dog again.
04-10-22, 07:32 AM
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Crazy thing was that when her lawyer’s investigator went to take photos of the scene he saw the dog again unrestrained in the front of the house. Some people are dense.
04-10-22, 07:42 AM
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04-10-22, 07:55 AM
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Glad it wasn't worse, and glad you have it on camera just in case.
As far as the suggestion that you should have asked for her information...I did that once and the dog-owner quickly left the scene.
As far as the suggestion that you should have asked for her information...I did that once and the dog-owner quickly left the scene.
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04-10-22, 08:04 AM
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...
I used to have a dog. Well behaved around people outdoors, including people on bikes. Only makes exception on people who ate exotic foods or took alcohol. They did smelled strong even I would find them of suspicious character. If I am a cop, I would have tried to stop them too for questioning.
I used to have a dog. Well behaved around people outdoors, including people on bikes. Only makes exception on people who ate exotic foods or took alcohol. They did smelled strong even I would find them of suspicious character. If I am a cop, I would have tried to stop them too for questioning.
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04-10-22, 05:47 PM
#35
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However, it's unlikely you'll be invited back on that group ride.
Bear spray is overkill, and is very strong - strong enough to cause permanent damage to a dog. Better to use a dog repellent (I use HALT spray) which will deter a chasing dog long enough for you to exit stage right.
Bear spray is overkill, and is very strong - strong enough to cause permanent damage to a dog. Better to use a dog repellent (I use HALT spray) which will deter a chasing dog long enough for you to exit stage right.
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04-10-22, 08:10 PM
#36
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The only dog that is well-behaved around people outdoors is one that is on a leash. If it's loose then it's a stray dog and if it gets close, it gets sprayed. I do not wait to see if the dog is "friendly" or not - I just repel it and go on my way. Incidents with dogs happen in a split second and there's no reason to take chances. Better safe than sorry.
I was like
and then the dog jumped for my face and started licking my hands and doing that tail wag. Not on a leash but seems behaved enough.
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04-10-22, 08:33 PM
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Once I was walking on a MUP then saw a dog with its owner. The dog was not on a leash. I was 50 meters away and it started running towards me.
I was like and then the dog jumped for my face and started licking my hands and doing that tail wag. Not on a leash but seems behaved enough.
I was like
and then the dog jumped for my face and started licking my hands and doing that tail wag. Not on a leash but seems behaved enough.Last edited by Jeff Neese; 04-11-22 at 03:50 AM.
04-10-22, 08:42 PM
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Once I was walking on a MUP then saw a dog with its owner. The dog was not on a leash. I was 50 meters away and it started running towards me.
I was like and then the dog jumped for my face and started licking my hands and doing that tail wag. Not on a leash but seems behaved enough.
I was like
and then the dog jumped for my face and started licking my hands and doing that tail wag. Not on a leash but seems behaved enough.You must have low BMI and not eat consume meat, spicy foods, and alcohol. Otherwise, that dog would've ripped your face off and then eaten your liver.
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04-10-22, 10:08 PM
#39
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It's only okay to smell strong if the dog is familiar with your smell like living in the same neighborhood. Else, it's always better to err on the side of keeping smells to a minimum.
Last edited by qwaalodge; 04-10-22 at 10:12 PM.
04-11-22, 01:04 AM
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https://youtu.be/fEuGRIyj1Ac
right thru my cycling pants & wrecked the zipper. gonna cost $20 to replace the zipper
& the owner needs to brush up on her leashing skills
right thru my cycling pants & wrecked the zipper. gonna cost $20 to replace the zipper
& the owner needs to brush up on her leashing skills
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04-11-22, 03:19 AM
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that's a good outcome. I don't want to press charges but that family needs a talking to
04-11-22, 05:44 AM
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I'm not the slightest bit concerned about the dog's long term health, and if the owner objects to having his dog blasted with pepper spray, he should keep said dog in the yard. I'm on the pavement, and if a dog runs along the grassy shoulder, I won't spray it, but it's open season if it comes onto the paved road where I am. I'm not about to try to race with a dog or psychoanalyze why a dog is chasing me. Instead, I'll give it a face full of bear spray and leave it to the dog to figure out what to do next.
04-11-22, 05:56 AM
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04-11-22, 06:38 AM
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git a nice bruise around the strike zone. at first I thought it was from the bite, I noticed it later that day/night/afternoon. but then I thought it was from a knee strain/injury? but now I see it curls around under the bite area, so I'm guessing it's from the bite. I would call this a bruise not an infection. or am I wrong?
04-11-22, 07:21 AM
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git a nice bruise around the strike zone. at first I thought it was from the bite, I noticed it later that day/night/afternoon. but then I thought it was from a knee strain/injury? but now I see it curls around under the bite area, so I'm guessing it's from the bite. I would call this a bruise not an infection. or am I wrong?
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04-11-22, 08:04 AM
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maybe I was too scary looking?
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04-11-22, 08:05 AM
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if it was me & even if I didn't have any medical responsibility I would say: "oh really? let's see!"
I asked if I needed to pay a co-pay & was told: "not for a nurse visit"
04-11-22, 09:36 AM
#48
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Yes, too much contrast and you look like a giant bee. A good looking giant bee! But dogs don't care about good looks and could mistake you for a wasp from a distance (they have poor eyesight compared to humans).
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.
Last edited by qwaalodge; 04-11-22 at 11:17 AM.
04-11-22, 09:45 AM
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The dog should be quarantined and checked after, regardless of tags. There is a window of time that allows the human victim to be treated. If someone waits for symptoms of rabies, it's too late. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...t/drc-20351826
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04-11-22, 09:48 AM
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A milder spray is just as effective in preventing an attack. If you do use bear spray and cause injury to the dog, I would suggest you vary your ride route in the future to avoid that area. You may just find yourself dealing with an angry, aggressive owner who doesn't have the slightest concern for your long term health.
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.