downtube42

When I lived in the midwest, I didn't go out without Halt. It has to be super readily reachable, and you have to hit them in the face, but it will stop a dog cold.

All the tricks like sweet talking or yelling "go home" may work for the casually interested dog, and sprinting out of their territory might work depending on terrain, but when an aggressive dog or three is bent on causing harm, something more extreme is needed. I've done the bit using the bike as a shield; it works tolerably well with one dog if you have time to waste.

My ultimate solution was to move to the PNW, where I've been chased by exactly 0 dogs in the last 5 years and 25k miles.

indyfabz

Or maybe there are other factors at play. I mean, even bears know when to back off. Perhaps it's my shaved legs.


Pine Creek Gorge Trail, 2017

Yaak, MT, 2019

Hunterdon County, NJ

Kai Winters

Face full of Halt or similar generally works...be aware of wind direction so you don't get blow back...always save a bit for the dog's owner

indyfabz

Pfft. Some of you sound like you are scared of your own shadows. HTFUQ

JW Fas

Out of curiosity, where in Hunterdon County was this?

indyfabz

I was lucky to escape with my life.

indyfabz

Woodglen Rd., between E. Hill/W. Hill and Anthony Rd. Near Califon.

He was digging around in some grass at the side of the road as I am another guy were descending ahead of a group I was leading. I thought to myself "That's a big dog." The guy slightly ahead of me yelled "That's a bear!" He saw us and took off into the woods. The photo is a still from a video my GF shot when she and the rest of the group caught up. There are a good number of bears up there. They usually stay north/east of NJ 31 because of the traffic. In the office at Spruce Run State Park there is the skin of a poor guy who got hit and killed trying to cross NJ 31 at High Bridge. A ranger there told us he took a drive one evening into nearby Vorhees State Park and decided to leave when he saw seven of them wandering around.

I camped at Worthington State Forest, up on the Delaware, during a tour from northern VT home to Philly. As I was riding back to my site from the shower a cub born earlier year came up from the river and walked across my path about 205' in front of me. Mom was nowhere to be seen, which was unnerving.

RH Clark

There's dangerous wildlife everywhere. I think that most times just good sense and not acting like prey will keep you out of trouble. Dogs are a good example. My wife is terrified of nearly any dog, and they know it. She could easily get bit the way she acts where I might not even get chased. As you have found, there's a lot to be said about how you act in any encounter as to how it will end up, but sometimes you can't avoid the fight no matter what. You need to be prepared for that very rare occasion when you are attacked. That's just life my friend.

indyfabz

I think I know a little bit about riding bikes in varied settings and how to effectively deal with situations. I had at least two "close" dog encounters during my VT and cross-PA tours this year. The one during the former was with a very angry cur that came off a property into the middle off the road and got within a couple of feet of me. The other involved a Great Dane that also came into the road towards me. I never panicked and emerged unscathed both times. Being both experienced and a badass helps immensely. Show em who is top dog.

Daniel4

Depending on where the owner is, I ride slow enough so the dog continues to chase me but fast enough so that we can go pretty far pretty fast to get out of the owner's sight. That should be enough to get the owner worried. Who's really going to blame the cyclist for an unleashed dog chasing after everybody?

But if the dog were just a stray, well I guess I'm taking my chances and hope it's not out for the hunt and hope it'll just get bored. I used to carry dog spray but never used it. Don't know where it is now.

ClydeClydeson

I have always found two strategies will get most dogs to stop or give up the chase -

1. (if on a fast road bike or similar and/or encounter the dog on a downhill) Outrun the dog
2. Stop and scold the dog - "NO!" "BAD DOG!" "GO HOME!" A squirt in the face with waterbottle helps here too, if voice commands are not enough.

South of my hometown there is a First Nation community with many off leash dogs that seem to coordinate with eachother and take stations along the road and take turns chasing passing cyclists. We discovered that (lucky for us) none of them were actually vicious, just motivated to chase, and you could throw them off their chase by riding directly at them rather than trying to avoid them.

rumrunn6

dunno, can't help ya. I have zero dog defense skills

RH Clark

I'm not confronting you or questioning your abilities. I meant "you" as a generality. I was trying to agree with you concerning not acting like prey while at the same time advising others to be prepared.

OldTryGuy

7/26/2022 was the 2nd time I've been hit by a Wild Hog while riding and as of this time my fractured Tibia has had minimal healing (latest x-ray) but then at 3:04AM I had no time to react. LAST WEEK at 4:00AM I came across a huge DOG that I shouted at but instead of it just staying put it decided to start chasing me and its bark was not a friendly sounding one. As it was getting closer and the sound of its claws hitting the pavement became louder I grabbed the Pepper Spray - aimed behind be and SPRAYED in a forth - back - forth movement. Things got quiet very quickly.

rsbob 

You might want to learn the Superman position on your bike. 🥴 Dog bites are full of nasty germs and need to be thoroughly cleaned. The tough part is finding out if the dog is up on their rabies vaccinations. If not, you might be getting yours.

RH Clark

The pit that got me would have ridden Superman's back while chewing.

livedarklions

Why is that the choice? Just use a spray that's legal for the usage. No reason to assume wasp spray is somehow more effective.

pdlamb

Suggestion for dog chasing me? Don't do that, you stupid dog!

HALT! has worked well for me (the rider) when (a) I have it and (b) I can get it out fast enough. 95% of the dogs coming after me, I don't worry about them. It's the ones coming fast without barking that worry me. Even got my second dog bite on a bike last spring, I didn't have time to grab a water bottle and didn't have HALT! with me. The tights took the worst of it, though.

spelger

unless you're being chased by a pack of wasps. worse if they have rabies.

pdlamb

That first bear? It didn't know you were there. Second bear was curious what was coming up the road, but it and the third bear didn't care.

The one that came up to 6-10' from me? I was too concerned with the bear to get a camera out. And my close encounter? That's a story for in-person over pizza and beer!

Milton Keynes

My suggestion for dogs chasing me?

Go home and be a good boy...

BobbyG

A commuter, I have AIrZound airhorns on all my bikes for riding in traffic. In 28 years with the airhorns I have used it on dogs 3 times and it stopped two of them. It suprised one dog enough to break his stride and allow me to gain enough distance that he gave up after a half-hearted attempt.

One dog was an old beagle who ran out from the yard and was about to tangle with my front wheel. Less than a yard away I honked and he did a back flip away from the bike. (At least that's how I remember it). I did it more for his protection.

dedhed

Watched this bear stare at me 10' in front of me coming out of my deer stand after dark. After a few "go on bear get out of here" he did and went right at the split where I went left. Why I stay loaded on the walk in and out.

livedarklions

My suggestion for dogs chasing you is that they might be just a little faster if they shave their legs.

Eric F 

Is the dog named Eddie?