Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Dog chasing cyclists

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Dog chasing cyclists

Old 04-04-22, 05:09 PM
  #1  
GlennR
On Your Left
Thread Starter
 
GlennR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373

Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times in 1,187 Posts
Dog chasing cyclists

I don't get it.

Most dogs are ambivalent when a cyclist passes but a small number go insane and almost strangle themselves try to get to the cyclist as they pass. It seems mostly medium and small dogs are the worst.

There one woman with a medium dog that I pass a few times a week and I know to all out at least 100 years before to her so she can hold on to the leash. I'm afraid if she is unaware the dog with drag her to the ground.

I'm half tempted to carry bear spray.
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/coun...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
GlennR is offline  
Old 04-04-22, 05:18 PM
  #2  
CAT7RDR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,082

Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 811 Post(s)
Liked 1,945 Times in 935 Posts
Last chase I had was from two small Terriers.
Terriers are old world dogs with strong hunting/chase instincts.
I got off my bike faced them and scolded them (2) to go home.
They barked a bit more in protest but relented satisfied they got their chase for the day.

It's the bigger dogs like a Rottweiler once that I had to dismount, place the bike between me and the lunging dog, and walk backwards about a 1/4 mile.
I had help from a driver that pulled in front of the dog and beeped her horn.
That could have been ugly. I carried pepper spray for awhile after that close call.
CAT7RDR is offline  
Likes For CAT7RDR:
Old 04-04-22, 05:23 PM
  #3  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,800

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6099 Post(s)
Liked 4,730 Times in 3,260 Posts
Most dogs that chase and bark that I've stopped to confront them seem to get very timid and don't know what to do next. They sometimes go back home or just run along side barking when I continue.

It's been awhile since I've dealt with them that way though. There is one big hound I passed today that was oncoming to me and barking, jumping and straining at the harness the owner that only looked to be about 90 lbs was struggling to hold back as a runner and then me on my bicycle slowly went by.
Iride01 is offline  
Old 04-04-22, 05:25 PM
  #4  
bikehoco
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 218
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 180 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 53 Posts
I had a certain big dog chase me on EVERY ride for years. The first few times he scared me. Then I realized he couldn’t catch me if I was going fast enough I even started whistling for him so he’d give chase. It was fun

Last edited by bikehoco; 04-04-22 at 06:10 PM.
bikehoco is offline  
Likes For bikehoco:
Old 04-04-22, 05:30 PM
  #5  
Chuck M 
Happy With My Bikes
 
Chuck M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,185

Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 867 Post(s)
Liked 2,277 Times in 1,099 Posts
I worry as much about a dog causing me to wreck as I do getting bit by one. Fortunately dog encounters have been rare for me. I did have a kamikaze cat come after me once though but I was able to swerve before it came in contact with my front wheel.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke

Chuck M is online now  
Old 04-04-22, 05:30 PM
  #6  
drlogik 
Senior Member
 
drlogik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,763

Bikes: '87-ish Pinarello Montello; '89 Nishiki Ariel; '85 Raleigh Wyoming, '16 Wabi Special, '16 Wabi Classic, '14 Kona Cinder Cone

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times in 251 Posts
I grew up with dogs and learned from a very early age, delivering newspapers from my Stingray, that stopping my bike and confronting the dog and not backing down was better than trying to outrun the dog. Outrunning a dog on my Stingray wasn't an easy thing to do with 15 lbs of newspapers slung in my newspaper carriers bag. Plus it didn't stop them from giving chase.

After a few curb chases and confrontations, one day, he heard me coming from the sound of the previous house's tossed newspaper, "trotted" out and stopped at the curb. I stopped my bike and he just looked at me. I was thinking, "Ok buddy, I'm not backin' down". After that he would just sit up on the porch and watch me pass.

What's really funny is when I gave up that paper route, a friend from school got that same route and asked me in class one day (yep, you guessed it), "Did you have a big dog chase you from a house on Arlington Street?" Hahaha.....
drlogik is offline  
Likes For drlogik:
Old 04-04-22, 06:00 PM
  #7  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,045
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 15,261 Times in 7,219 Posts
Originally Posted by GlennR
I don't get it.

Most dogs are ambivalent when a cyclist passes but a small number go insane and almost strangle themselves try to get to the cyclist as they pass. It seems mostly medium and small dogs are the worst.

There one woman with a medium dog that I pass a few times a week and I know to all out at least 100 years before to her so she can hold on to the leash. I'm afraid if she is unaware the dog with drag her to the ground.

I'm half tempted to carry bear spray.
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/coun...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
Reading that third paragraph made my head hurt.
indyfabz is offline  
Likes For indyfabz:
Old 04-04-22, 06:01 PM
  #8  
Pratt
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,092
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 409 Post(s)
Liked 488 Times in 291 Posts
I try to discourage them with command voice orders to stop, stay, etc. My bike is not likely to hurt them, but a car could, so I try not to encourage bad habits.
Pratt is offline  
Likes For Pratt:
Old 04-04-22, 06:13 PM
  #9  
Reynolds 
Passista
 
Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,584

Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 866 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times in 392 Posts
If it's always the same dog at the same place I'd prefer to make friends with him. Usually not very difficult.
Reynolds is offline  
Likes For Reynolds:
Old 04-04-22, 06:14 PM
  #10  
Daniel4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,497

Bikes: Sekine 1979 ten speed racer

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1477 Post(s)
Liked 637 Times in 436 Posts
Most of the time, dog chases occur in parks where they are supposed to be leashed. I called the city once on a dog and owner I had encountered three times. But I realize I can't call them all the time since these occurrences are random and impossible to enforce.

I ride slowly enough so I won't run over the dogs. If I ride too fast, it may trigger their chase response. So I ride slowly enough for them to keep up with me and fast enough so that I can lead them pretty far and make the owner panic.

I did carry pepper spray with me for a while. If calling out at the dog " Bad dog! Go home!" works I'm wondering if I should carry a rolled up newspaper.
Daniel4 is offline  
Old 04-04-22, 06:17 PM
  #11  
Barry2 
LR÷P=HR
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2,135

Bikes: 1981 Holdsworth Special, 1993 C-dale MT3000 & 1996 F700CAD3, 2018 Cervelo R3 & 2022 R5, JustGo Runt, Ridley Oval, Kickr Bike 8-)

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 848 Post(s)
Liked 1,161 Times in 671 Posts
Old school, a frame fitting pump was the weapon of choice.

Barry
Barry2 is offline  
Likes For Barry2:
Old 04-04-22, 06:32 PM
  #12  
Ubie
Full Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: 20,000 leagues under the sea
Posts: 455

Bikes: 2019 CO-OP DRT 1.2, 2001 Trek 2200, 2021 Cannondale Topstone 1 Alloy

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times in 47 Posts
I don't think you realize just how desperately my muppet, er dog, wants to be your friend. Unfortunately he is dumb as a post and doesn't realize he weighs 90lbs and thus the effects of Newton's First Law of Motion in relation to his body.
So, he stays fenced in, or on a short leash no matter how badly he wants make friends with you.
Ubie is offline  
Likes For Ubie:
Old 04-04-22, 06:35 PM
  #13  
NJgreyhead
Senior Member
 
NJgreyhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South Jersey near PHL
Posts: 779

Bikes: Frequently

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 158 Post(s)
Liked 249 Times in 129 Posts
A squirt in the face from my water bottle stopped a nasty cur that was coming after me a couple weeks ago. It was the second time that technique has worked for me.
NJgreyhead is offline  
Likes For NJgreyhead:
Old 04-04-22, 06:36 PM
  #14  
Barry2 
LR÷P=HR
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2,135

Bikes: 1981 Holdsworth Special, 1993 C-dale MT3000 & 1996 F700CAD3, 2018 Cervelo R3 & 2022 R5, JustGo Runt, Ridley Oval, Kickr Bike 8-)

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 848 Post(s)
Liked 1,161 Times in 671 Posts
Muppet dogs aren't the issue
Muppet owners are !
Barry2 is offline  
Likes For Barry2:
Old 04-04-22, 06:51 PM
  #15  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,045
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 15,261 Times in 7,219 Posts
Originally Posted by Pratt
I try to discourage them with command voice orders to stop, stay, etc. My bike is not likely to hurt them, but a car could, so I try not to encourage bad habits.
Yep. Let them know you’re the top dog. I put my loud voice to good use.

If that doesn’t work, a good squirt of water to the face often will.
indyfabz is offline  
Old 04-04-22, 07:12 PM
  #16  
ofajen
Cheerfully low end
 
ofajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,965
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 642 Post(s)
Liked 1,040 Times in 663 Posts
Originally Posted by Barry2
Old school, a frame fitting pump was the weapon of choice.

Barry
Silca, with Campy head. 👍

It’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.

Otto
ofajen is offline  
Likes For ofajen:
Old 04-04-22, 07:19 PM
  #17  
Ogsarg
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Hollister, CA (not the surf town)
Posts: 1,724

Bikes: 2019 Specialized Roubaix Comp Di2, 2009 Roubaix, early 90's Giant Iguana

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 636 Post(s)
Liked 1,488 Times in 543 Posts
I had a Jack Russel Terrier that went nuts about bicycles and motorcycles. Just did not like them for some reason. He was never off leash on walks unless it was at the dog park.
Ogsarg is offline  
Old 04-04-22, 07:23 PM
  #18  
dedhed
SE Wis
 
dedhed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,516

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2731 Post(s)
Liked 3,355 Times in 2,034 Posts
Originally Posted by GlennR
I don't get it. There one woman with a medium dog that I pass a few times a week and I know to all out at least 100 years before to her so she can hold on to the leash. I'm afraid if she is unaware the dog with drag her to the ground.

Holy word salad.
dedhed is offline  
Old 04-04-22, 07:30 PM
  #19  
Ubie
Full Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: 20,000 leagues under the sea
Posts: 455

Bikes: 2019 CO-OP DRT 1.2, 2001 Trek 2200, 2021 Cannondale Topstone 1 Alloy

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times in 47 Posts
Originally Posted by Barry2
Muppet dogs aren't the issue
Muppet owners are !
Beware the Muppet!
Ubie is offline  
Old 04-04-22, 07:33 PM
  #20  
VegasJen
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 895
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 836 Post(s)
Liked 528 Times in 292 Posts
I guess the dogs here are different. They're almost all inside fenced property, but they always run with me whenever I ride by. I've had a few chase me. Last week I had a GS chase me, didn't make a sound at first. Didn't even know he was there until I heard a snarl and saw him not two feet from my back tire. I immediately stood up on the pedals and looked at him. The tall presence made him back off. But it scared me that he got that close before I even knew he was there.
VegasJen is offline  
Likes For VegasJen:
Old 04-04-22, 07:49 PM
  #21  
Polaris OBark
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 3,923
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2184 Post(s)
Liked 3,336 Times in 1,741 Posts
Originally Posted by GlennR
I'm half tempted to carry bear spray.


I've only used this once, but carried it on tours for years. Usually the owner deserves it more than the dog.

The penultimate paragraph looks like a random word salad. Did you use text-to-speech-after-Halt!-inhalation?

Last edited by Polaris OBark; 04-04-22 at 07:55 PM.
Polaris OBark is offline  
Likes For Polaris OBark:
Old 04-04-22, 07:51 PM
  #22  
Polaris OBark
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 3,923
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2184 Post(s)
Liked 3,336 Times in 1,741 Posts
Originally Posted by NJgreyhead
A squirt in the face from my water bottle stopped a nasty cur that was coming after me a couple weeks ago. It was the second time that technique has worked for me.
I have Golden retrievers. They think of this as a reward (but then they don't chase bicyclists).
Polaris OBark is offline  
Old 04-04-22, 07:55 PM
  #23  
Bald Paul
Senior Member
 
Bald Paul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 1,680
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 806 Post(s)
Liked 1,612 Times in 764 Posts
Depending on how much lead time I have when I see a chasing dog, I'll yell "BAD DOG! GO HOME!" (Believe it or not, I tried "SIT!" once, and the dog stopped and sat with a puzzled look on its face.)
If that doesn't work, I go right to my can of HALT! spray. I've yet to see a dog continue the chase once they get some of that in the face, but it doesn't cause any permanent harm. Bear spray is too bulky, and goes everywhere in a cloud, which can make you very unpopular if anyone is riding behind you.
There was a three legged Chow on one of our regular routes that evidently didn't know it was handicapped. Man, that dog was fast! It never bit anyone, but it would run out in front of the group and on several occasions almost caused a huge pileup. After a couple of times getting zapped with HALT, it would just sit in the yard and bark.
Bald Paul is offline  
Old 04-04-22, 08:25 PM
  #24  
79pmooney
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,825

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 128 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4741 Post(s)
Liked 3,860 Times in 2,509 Posts
Some dogs simply love to run. I got chased by one at the height of my racing going down a decent hill. We saw each other simultaneously. I stepped on it. The dog started on the front door step of a large house set back a full suburban lot as I was crossing the walkway. Dog was two steps behind when I hit the lot corner! Beside me immediately, then just proceeded to pace me down the hill. No bark, no growl, no teeth. Just an easy run while I went as fast as I could go. Hill leveled out and he pulled up and trotted home. Work done. The whole time, we both knew who'd cross any finish line first. Humbling.

Years later my neighbor picked up one of those dogs. A whippet. Edit: A body hard as nails. And also loved to run.
79pmooney is offline  
Likes For 79pmooney:
Old 04-04-22, 08:56 PM
  #25  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,274

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4251 Post(s)
Liked 3,861 Times in 2,577 Posts
Man we haven't had one of these threads in a while. What kind of chain lube did you have when you passed the dog? Dogs love certain dry lubes but hate wet lube unless it is a Muc-Off.
veganbikes is offline  
Likes For veganbikes:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.