I feel my chest start to tense up a mile before I hit the house. I've been riding past this house for nearly 7 years. Recently, however, new owners moved in and brought with them my nemesis. Built like a giant sausage on four little roly poly legs, this dog has the speed of a greyhound and the herding skills of a blue healer. I've dubbed him the weenie-blue-sausage-dach-hound. I'm not afraid to admit that he scares me.
As a cyclist, eventually you will have to deal with our four-legged friends. To help you out, here are some tips to keep you safe while riding.
Don't panic-
Try not to swerve. If you're in a pack you risk hitting another rider. Even when riding alone, the possibility of swerving into a car or losing control on a gravel shoulder are real dangers.
Don't panic-
Try not to swerve. If you're in a pack you risk hitting another rider. Even when riding alone, the possibility of swerving into a car or losing control on a gravel shoulder are real dangers.
Don't flee-
Fleeing tells a dog to chase. I've found that there are dogs that immediately lose interest when I slow to a walking pace and talk to them (this doesn't always work, but I'm surprised at how often it does).
When getting close to a house with a known dog, take a deep breathe and relax. Remember the saying that dogs smell fear. Getting a clear head and planning your movements will keep you in control of the situation.
Fleeing tells a dog to chase. I've found that there are dogs that immediately lose interest when I slow to a walking pace and talk to them (this doesn't always work, but I'm surprised at how often it does).
When getting close to a house with a known dog, take a deep breathe and relax. Remember the saying that dogs smell fear. Getting a clear head and planning your movements will keep you in control of the situation.
Think like a dog-
Many dogs really just want to chase and bark. Most will run parallel to you.
However, there are the more aggressive ones that will jump in front of your bike. In these cases it is best to remind the dog that you are in charge. Stand up in your pedals and head TOWARD the dog just enough to intimidate him, but not enough to actually hit him. Barking or yelling at the dog not only provide entertainment for neighbors and fellow cyclists, but helps solidify the message.
A tip for group rides. If you are not the most comfortable one in the group when it comes to dealing with canines, don't be in the front and on the side of the road the dog is on. Typically, dogs will go after the lead cyclist closest to them. Allow someone with good 'dog' skills to take that position.
Many dogs really just want to chase and bark. Most will run parallel to you.
However, there are the more aggressive ones that will jump in front of your bike. In these cases it is best to remind the dog that you are in charge. Stand up in your pedals and head TOWARD the dog just enough to intimidate him, but not enough to actually hit him. Barking or yelling at the dog not only provide entertainment for neighbors and fellow cyclists, but helps solidify the message.
A tip for group rides. If you are not the most comfortable one in the group when it comes to dealing with canines, don't be in the front and on the side of the road the dog is on. Typically, dogs will go after the lead cyclist closest to them. Allow someone with good 'dog' skills to take that position.
Some more good ideas-
Warning: I haven't tried all of these.
Stream of water to the face- This usually works. It temporarily stuns the dog long enough to pedal away. This doesn't work with the weenie-blue-dach-hound.
Vary your speed- Slow down to get the dog to break their momentum and then take off.
Pedal fast- Some riders swear by this. Other riders say a big 'No' because it encourages the chase.
Use a shield- I have done this, and it has worked for me. Conditions have to align themselves perfectly, but when they do, it's serendipitous If you know of a house that has a dog AND you are fortunate enough to see or hear a car coming, use it to your advantage. The sound of the car can mask your arrival. It can also take the dog's focus away from you.
Warning: I haven't tried all of these.
Stream of water to the face- This usually works. It temporarily stuns the dog long enough to pedal away. This doesn't work with the weenie-blue-dach-hound.
Vary your speed- Slow down to get the dog to break their momentum and then take off.
Pedal fast- Some riders swear by this. Other riders say a big 'No' because it encourages the chase.
Use a shield- I have done this, and it has worked for me. Conditions have to align themselves perfectly, but when they do, it's serendipitous If you know of a house that has a dog AND you are fortunate enough to see or hear a car coming, use it to your advantage. The sound of the car can mask your arrival. It can also take the dog's focus away from you.
Some not-so-good ideas-
Pepper spray- If you are not riding in a group, there MAY be a place for pepper spray. A strong warning comes with this. Unless you are 100% certain of the direction of the wind, you risk getting it in your eyes/mouth, which makes a long ride home.
Pepper spray should never be used in a group- unless you were looking for a new group to ride with anyway.
Swift kick to the face: Some riders swear by this. I feel that if the dog is close enough for my foot to hit his face, I'm also close enough for the dog to bite, or at least, get tangled in either my foot or the bike and flip me.
Pepper spray- If you are not riding in a group, there MAY be a place for pepper spray. A strong warning comes with this. Unless you are 100% certain of the direction of the wind, you risk getting it in your eyes/mouth, which makes a long ride home.
Pepper spray should never be used in a group- unless you were looking for a new group to ride with anyway.
Swift kick to the face: Some riders swear by this. I feel that if the dog is close enough for my foot to hit his face, I'm also close enough for the dog to bite, or at least, get tangled in either my foot or the bike and flip me.
An interesting tidbit I learned in one not-so-painless encounter with a dog is that in Cache County, there is a county wide leash law. This means that ANYWHERE, even the most rural parts of the valley, have to adhere to their dogs being on leashes when they are not on their property. If you have a dog that leaves his property to chase you, you have the right to inform animal control. Once you are safely past his home, stop and write down the address and description of the aggressor.
If you have other ideas that have worked or not worked for you, we'd love to hear about them in our comments section.