[Closed] What do you do about aggressive dogs on rides?

Some people didn't read my OP. There were 2 dogs & believe it or not It's hard to look one in the eye while the other is nibbling your ankles (or appearing to want to)
'get another dog'. Not very convenient when I'm doing a 15 mile ride with 9 miles of main road in it, & I don't really want any dog never mind another one.
My water bottle trick did work this time but who knows?
Might have to risk bringing my extendable baton home from work!

I always ride with my postie mate. The hounds instinctively go for him. Problem solved

>Some people didn't read my OP. There were 2 dogs & believe it or not It's hard to look one in the eye while the other is nibbling your ankles (or appearing to want to)<

To be fair, your OP didn't actually describe dogs trying to bite you. I get dogs running towards me and barking almost every time I'm out on the bike. 99.999% of the time it's just that. A situation easily disarmed by stopping and "talking to the dog" If that fails to work I "talk" to the owner. If neither option is available I'll defend myself.

Singlespeedstu - I'm a changed man.

Roger

I'm always coming across dogs running loose in the countryside here, when passing through a hamlet or small village. Most of the time they are OK but I do still often get chased by one or more. If I'm going slow and can't ride away from them I get off the bike if necessary and use the bike as a barrier (seriouslyn some are pretty aggressive). If I can ride straight through I either try to out-run them (had some fast dogs on my tail even when I've been bombing downhill). If I can't get off and can't out ride them, I take my pump off the frame, extend it and get ready to clout them. But in any situation, I always try to do my best impression of a lion i.e. roaring at the top of my voice (really - sounds a bit nuts but most dogs don't seem to like it :D). Worst incidents have involved a rottweiler and 2 rabid labradors, plus a few little yappy things egging them on, no one about to call them back. Was a bit terrified. The other bad one was 3 huge alsatians, but turned out OK as my little jack russell (was walking the dogs at that time) sunk her teeth in to the back legs of one of them and it went off howling, followed by the others.

shortcut - Member

Stop - get off and make friends with the dog.

take my pump off the frame

I think that might be why they are chasing you - they have spotted your fashion faux pas 🙂

living in Aus (said that in another post about smoking - but it is interesting to compare)

here "dog trainig" is big big big - sunday morning and parks are full of (commercial - that is spend money)dog classes - so do them there dogs chase runners or cyclists? ..... NO

they don't even look up - usual stuff about should be on leads / not on leads areas but big thing is training. (full stop) the dogs are trained.

I realise that when you don't own dogs, or have a fear of them, then dogs running up and barking = aggressive. I know this because I used to be terrified of dogs. Then I got one, started to understand its body language and how dogs minds work, and realised that dogs running up and barking does not always = aggressive.

Unfortunately, if you don't have a dog then you won't be able to tell the difference between aggressive dogs and non-aggressive dogs. I'd say the latter will generally outnumber the former by a factor of at least 10:1.

I walk mine in the same areas that I cycle (sometimes with him, sometimes without), and if I see another cyclist I whistle to him, call him over and keep him close to me or sat next to me whist the cyclist passes. More often than not, they don't slow down or even acknowledge it with a quick "thanks", which is nice.

If I'm out on the bike alone and I see a dog running about, I'll slow down and try to spot the owner. If the dog runs up to me barking, it'll be because they don't know what I am and are trying to ascertain whether I'm a threat to their owner, who they want to protect. By slowing down and saying hello to the dog in a friendly voice, I am identifying myself as a friend, and the dog almost always stops barking, wags its tail and comes for a pat. If I were to adopt an aggressive pose and become threatening, it will only serve to escalate the situation, and it's never going to end well from there.

Dogs are pack animals at heart, who will defend their alpha (the owner) against anything they perceive to be a threat. Make yourself a threat and you can see where it will lead. Mine has been taught that bikes and their rider are not a threat, but he likes to play games with me when I'm on my bike. Someone who doesn't know dogs would not immediately recognise what he does as playing, and would feel threatened, hence why I call him to me. If all other owners did the same, I think relationships between cyclists and dogs would be less strained.

based on first line 21 words x 23 lines = 483 words approx to say

[b][u]He's only playing[/u][/b]

Er, no...

Maybe I should have added:

tl:dr - dogs running up and barking are trying to see if you're a threat or not. Become a threat and they [i]may[/i] react accordingly. Identify yourself as no threat and it will usually defuse the situation.

..."dogs running up and barking are"........ out of control?

"Identify yourself as no threat" so the obligation is on who?

Supposedly dogs don't realise you're a human being and look more like an odd kind of animal when on your bike. If you start talking the dog recognises you as a human bean and stops. Could be rubbish, i read it on here.

[quote=antigee]..."dogs running up and barking are"........ out of control?

"Identify yourself as no threat" so the obligation is on who?
Define control? My dog is walked off the leash over an area of about 10km2, so he runs fairly far from me at times. He could, therefore, encounter someone else before I do. However, I always know where he is, and he will come immediately back to me if I whistle. He barks at and chases (but never catches) rabbits, squirrels etc. He lives with horses and comes out with me on the bike, so he doesn't bark at/chase cyclists or horseriders. If he was in the habit of doing so, he would be kept closer to me.

The main obligation is for owners to teach their dogs that bikes, horses, etc are not a threat - I'm not denying this.

However, if you act like a threat then you may undo some of this work, and the next time that dog sees a cyclist he will remember that the last one he encountered acted like a threat, and so will adopt a defensive position until proven otherwise. If you then don't act threateningly, this will then become the new default.

See how easy it can be?

[quote=CaptJon]Supposedly dogs don't realise you're a human being and look more like an odd kind of animal when on your bike. If you start talking the dog recognises you as a human bean and stops. Could be rubbish, i read it on here.
To a degree, yes - this also works with horses.

The CTC magazine used to put in articles from it's early editions. One of these was a retired army major just after WWI who toured France on a tricycle. Being aware of how aggressive French farms dogs could be he had his service revolver stored in a handle bar mounted holster and shot three on his holiday. I imagine a tricycle would make a stable firing platform.
Not owning any firearms, my technique with aggressive dogs is to out run them if they come from behind or side. Weaving distracts the aim of biting fast dogs. If they're in front then I drift towards the right, they track me, then when v close, I decleat my right leg turn as I turn sharply to the left, inevitably they're trying to adjust and are off balance, so that when the heel of my straight right leg catches them in the shoulder and they go down. Shoulder is a better target than the head as with the head they may shrug off the blow and potentially bite back

Corned beef and aspirin !

You need to challenge the dog. Make yourself appear as large as possible and look it in the eye

Isn't this the wrong thing to do with some breeds?

See?

I told you it would all be our fault.

If only us non-dog owners would learn to behave properly and responsibly, then those 210,000 dog attacks each year wouldn't happen. 🙂

You need to take a cat with you.

Ok, I am a dog owner (well trained, ignore bikes) but I would dispute the confrontational advice given by others. As in all similar situations, first thoughts should be to avoid and/or calm any conflict situation. Confronting the dog, making loud noises etc are likely to be counter-productive IMO.

On Friday, I was chased by an irritating, yappy little dog. I just ignored it and pedalled away. Yes, it was slightly worrying that it kept coming after me, but I decided that it was not a threat.

My reaction if I perceive a threat is (1) to talk in a smoothing fashion to the dog. FIrm, clear words eg good boy, calm down, hello etc. This works in most cases as they detect neither fear in you nor a threat from you. Failing that I think the water bottle is a good idea but needs to be used with care.

On the one occassion, that none of this has worked, I got of my bike and used it as a barrier between me and the dog. I would always avoid physical contact with the dog as (1) it is likely to hurt both parties and (2) injuring a dog is a criminal offence. Yes, there may be justification but courts may not care. This is not to deny the fact that dog owners should keep th animals under control at all times but merely to remind us of the laws of the land.

On Friday, I was chased by an irritating, yappy little dog. I just ignored it and pedalled away. Yes, it was slightly worrying that it kept coming after me, but I decided that it was not a threat.

This can be quite good fun if it means the owner then has to run miles to catch up with it again 😀

And if it turns out to be a really nice dog, you have the option of keeping it.

idiotdogbrain - Member

Maybe I should have added:

tl:dr - dogs running up and barking are trying to see if you're a threat or not. Become a threat and they may react accordingly. Identify yourself as no threat and it will usually defuse the situation.

So what you seem to be saying is, if a barking dog runs at you, it may or may not bite you. Which is what we all thought in the first place.

Funny how the dog owners who post on these threads always assume that nobody else has any experience of dogs?

injuring a dog is a criminal offence

there may be justification but courts may not care.

Our black lab is afraid of the vacuum cleaner. It's gotta be a better solution than punching/kicking a dumb animal.

igrf - dont buy a Doberman they are crap

Mine was awesome. Even as a pup it chased off two full grown German Shepherds who tried to have a go at me/him. He also dug through 2 foot of concrete to get to the warm pipes under our kitchen floor. He was the king of dogs.

Personally having had dogs all my life and I read the situation if it is playing I do nothing
If it is aggressive and intent on harm then i meet force with force and have a word with the owners

Some owners are idiots. i remember dogs chasing my cat when she was on the boat. they used to charge at her and at the last minute she moved down the side of the gunwale and the dogs went straight on and into the canal.

About 80% of dog owners blamed my cat - read into that what you will - and shouted at me.

I am not sure what purpose these threads are though as you just get polarised views
Some folk are scared of dogs, some dogs are aggressive some owners are idiots. We all know this so why worry

FWIW i think i have kicked two dogs in all my time cycling and both were attempting to bite me at the time

Are some people on here smoking too much?

Or is every dog really out to get you?

Rusty - you can read it as you will but the law is clear. Your choice if you want to ignore it.

Poor dogs theyre only defending their stupid owners with no freinds from cyclists.

Some interesting stuff here.

Dogs perceive a threat? That's why the owner should have it under control and if they are going to be walking near bikes to train the dog its not a threat.

Most dog owners are idiots and have never socialised or trained their dogs, have little to no control over their dogs. Some owners actually want their dogs to be aggressive.

There really is no need for any dog to chase or intimidate a cyclist. If its running at you barking its a threat to you and you cannot take the chance of it biting even if 90% of the time it is assessing you as was said earlier. It shouldn't be "out of control".

There really is no need for any dog to chase or intimidate a cyclist. If its running at you barking its a threat to you and you cannot take the chance of it biting even if 90% of the time it is assessing you as was said earlier. It shouldn't be "out of control".

or even 99.99% of the time.

Question for the "kick first, ask questions later" brigade. Do you apply the same thinking to that guy in the pub looking at your pint funny? You know, just in case?

teamhurtmore wrote

... talk in a smoothing fashion to the dog ...

I always make sure that I take my pet badger out with me to fend off any unwanted canine encounters..

Question for the "kick first, ask questions later" brigade. Do you apply the same thinking to that guy in the pub looking at your pint funny? You know, just in case?

He isn't running at you barking is he, stupid analogy.

However a barking dog does not intimidate me personally as I am used to dogs however other people may have different reactions. If a dog is close enough to kick and barking at me for no reason it is going to get a kick.

kick first, ask questions later" brigade. Do you apply the same thinking to that guy in the pub looking at your pint funny? You know, just in case?

Sill analogy is silly- yours and mine but mine is still closer

>Most dog owners are idiots and have never socialised or trained their dogs,<

Of course...

Sorry junkyard I don't see where I have "my analogy".

Its not at you its at TINAS as that is who i quoted- we both seem to agree his analogy is silly for the same reason- you posted whilst I was typing and that is my first read of your post and I dont disagree with anything you have said

Apologies Junkyard, I've had a very very long day 😀

Well I don't think I've managed 3 pages before!
My water bottle trick has worked before but I only carry one on local rides, one dog's bad enough but on this occasion there were two. Now I'm wary of dogs but no way scared of them (had dogs most of my life, but not usually my choice) but I'm not a dog mind reader & It's ok people saying 'they were only being inquisitive/playing/larking about' How would you know? It was outside he property they obviously live in & had been left to roam on a bridleway, how do I know they weren't being defensive?
Luckily I can bypass that stretch by staying on the main road but why should I have to?

I seem to have fallen foul of dogs a bit recently - two bites in the last few months (one quite deep but thankfully didn't go bad). Have ridden for years with no problem then two together.

pingu66 - [b]Most dog owners are idiots[/b]

pingu66 - Sorry junkyard I don't see where I have "my analogy".

[i]Junkyard - Its not at you its at TINAS as that is who i quoted[/i]

pingu66 - Apologies Junkyard, I've had a very very long day

Idiots you say? 😆

Hey Euro well done. I guess you never made a mistake? Anything worthwhile to add to thread or just picking on people? Also I did apologise.

Thanks pingu.

I make mistakes all the time, but try to avoid calling people (i've never met) idiots.

Nothing really worthwhile to add. I did mention earlier that I don't think kicking a dog is particularly brave. Would you kick a polar bear or a tiger? It's a little bit like an adult kicking a child.

Punching a dog is brave (uppercut) 😀

Oldweg, yes being perfectly serious. Obviously as a dog owner I tend to more relaxed with dogs, but seriously I feel that talking firmly but calmly will sort out 90% of yappers!