Bicycling - Road and Mountain

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What's your weapon of choice against dogs?

RedSunshine365
RedSunshine365 Posts: 189 Member
edited December 2024 in Social Groups
I tried a new route today and nearly had a heart attack when a Huge German Shepherd chased me and was hell-bent on attacking me. i was completely taken off guard. A couple on a Harley had just passed me and were slowing to turn into a driveway on the left. I glanced over my right shoulder to see mr big teeth approaching my wheel and FAST. I swerved, grabbed my water bottle and fired, somehow hitting the target. He stopped chasing me and went for the couple on the Harley that had stopped. Another car was behind me and thank God it didn't pass or I would've swerved right into its path.

I pedaled like I was on crack for a short distance, look back to,see the dog running back home and the Harley coming back to,pass me again. I wonder if they saw what was going to happen and stopped to distract the dog. If so..that was really nice of them!

Anyway, I'm now considering what other good options there are to stop a dog chase. Usually I yell stay or go home and dogs will stop, or they are too small to catch me. This dog scared me....and I love dogs!

So what do you do in these situations?

Replies

  • TDSeest
    TDSeest Posts: 1,089 Member
    I had two dogs chase me for about 1.5 miles about a month ago, when I was riding into a 20 MPH wind. I couldn't get away, until I turned on to a side road with a cross wind. After that experience, I did a bunch of research, and ultimately ordered http://www.defensedevices.com/bike-mount-bicyle-pepper-spray.html in the 4 ounce version. Normally, I talk to dogs, and they back off, but these two would not. So, I've got this mounted on my bicycle, and if they ever get too close, I will regrettably use it.
    I had a 1 year old bull dog, chase me last Thursday, and it was pretty aggressive, but I was able to talk some common sense into it without pulling out the spray.

    I also want to order one of these (http://www.thinkbiologic.com/products/blast-airhorn), because I figure it might scare off some of them. I'd rather not cause any physical harm, if I don't have too.
  • thcri
    thcri Posts: 459 Member
    I used to carry the pepper spray that you can get right at your local bike shop. And I have used it it twice. I always use my water bottle firt but if they don't quit then I used the pepper spray. One dog was on a pre ride and when I came back a week later instead of chasing bikes he was up on the lawn just watching all the bikes. I think he remembered
  • jhalsey205
    jhalsey205 Posts: 91 Member
    A blast of water from my Camel back bottle usually does the trick
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    Airzound on my kickaround bike.

    I'm planning on getting Halt to carry on my road bike.
  • bethlikesbikes
    bethlikesbikes Posts: 69
    Yell in a firm voice or squirt them in the head with water
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