Even the tiniest among us cyclists will eventually face a BAD DOG
If you hang out with cyclists for very long, you will hear multiple harrowing stories of their encounters with gigantic dogs with flashing and blood-dripping fangs chasing them. (Our version of "how big the fish I caught was.") However, it's no laughing matter when an unrestrained dog lunges at you on a bike. Most bike clubs have posted articles on how to deal with the dog problem.
One of my favorite sites is RoadBikeRider.com. Their articles are geared for serious, fast, or competitive road cyclists but much of their information can be adapted for the casual "leisure" cyclist. I have printed (with their permission) their article in its entirety (in purple text) and injected a few comments (marked as Pardes) whch are geared to family cyclists who may encounter a dog on a road.
How to Deal With Bad Dogs
By Fred Matheny and Ed Pavelka of www.RoadBikeRider.com
Dog attacks are high on the list of cycling fears. Maybe you can’t stop Fang from giving chase, but you can outsmart him if you know how dogs think—assuming that stinkin’ mutt even has a brain!
Know dog psychology. The majority of dogs who chase cyclists are merely defending their territory. When you pedal off the section of road that they consider their turf, you no longer pose a threat to their ancestral instincts and they lose interest. Incidentally, this is why you’ll rarely be chased by a dog you encounter way out in the boonies. He’s not on his turf so he couldn’t care less about you.
[Pardes: Yes, dogs are territorial and may lose interest once you've passed "their" property; but there are canines out there who hate bicycles just on general principles. Dogs like these have been known to move in packs wearing white sheets and chanting woofs about the supremacy of quadripeds.]
Know dog tactics. Dogs want to attack from the rear, coming up from the hindquarter. Even one who sits up in his yard ahead of you may wait till you pass before giving chase. You can use this to your advantage in the next tip because it gives you a head start.
Sprint! You often can outsprint Fido when he’s more interested in fooling around than in actually attacking. You can tell his intent by how hard he’s running and his expression. An easy gait with woofing and ears and tail up, no problem. A full-out sprint with ears back, tail down and teeth out, problem. Still, the territorial gene can save you. If the road is flat or downhill, stand up and sprint to get past the dog’s invisible boundary.
[Pardes: I couldn't sprint even if a saber-tooth tiger was breathing down my neck! "Leisure" cyclists need other tactics that don't require speed. Like finesse and understanding a dog's puppyhood that led to bad behaviors.]
Guard your front wheel. When a dog sees you coming, he might make a beeline for your bike, then attempt to turn up beside you. The danger here is that his poor little paws will skid on the pavement and he’ll plow into your wheels. If he hits the front one, you’ll crash. Sprint so that you move forward faster than he expects, and give him a margin for error by steering farther into the road—if traffic permits!
[There's that impossible "SPRINT" command again. "Leisure" cyclists can only pray for a steep downhill like Malcom Lee Smith was lucky enough to find.]
SCREAM! Most dogs know what happens when a human is angry with them. A sudden shout of “No!” or “Git!” or “Stay!” will surprise Fluffy and probably make him hesitate for just the second you need to take the advantage. If he’s hard of hearing, raise your hand threateningly as if it contains a rock. Outlaw mutts usually have had experience with bad things flying at them when a human makes a throwing gesture.
[Pardes: Try a little compassion and diplomacy first. My first instinct when encountering a dog is the "Awwwwww, aren't you the sweetest thing." This disarms many pooches into quivering masses of sqirumy slobber. When that doesn't work, SCREAM, "BAD DOG!!!!" and any other obscenities that come to mind. Do NOT assume that certain breeds are more dangerous than others.]
Lily is a lover of all things "people" and bicycles do not register on her Richter scale. Now, horses are another matter. Hence the cast on her leg.
Meanwhile, WATCH OUT for this ankle-biter, Magdalene.
Did you ever wonder what your dog is doing all day long while you are at work? I came home unexpectedly early one day to discover Magdalene using my sewing machine. She had organized a neighborhood support group for LDWATS, (Little Dogs Who Aren't Taken Seriously). At night they donned their little ninja masks and roamed the neighborhood to find bicycles to deface in a variety of unpleasant and aromatic ways.
There is one exception to this idea of not assuming a particular breed is more dangerous than another. Sometimes you need a little Pit Bull clout. You know, walk tall and carry a big dog to keep the other dogs away.
Play douse the Doberman. If you see big, fast Prince up ahead and know that he sees you, sprinting might not work. Especially if the road is tilting up. Take out your water bottle. Just having it in your hand may make him stay away. If he does come near you, give him a faceful and a loud yell. This distraction will slow him down, though he may come back for more. Just don’t distract yourself and ride off the road.
[Pardes: A "leisure" cyclist can't reach a water bottle in it's cage when the bike is moving; nor plunder through their panniers looking for a weapon. Nor hit a moving target on a moving bike even if they could reach a weapon. It's a simple fact that Roadies are genetically born with fast manipulative bicycle skills. "Leisure" cyclists can just blame their genes and continue to pedal along ploddingly, and very happy.]
Some riders swear by Halt pepper spray that they clip to their handlebar. This stuff works great—if you hit your target. That’s a big if when you and Spot are going different speeds, the air is moving, and you’re trying to stay on the road. Pepper spray stings a dog’s eyes, nose and mouth, but it doesn’t cause lasting damage. It also works on human attackers, but that’s a different story.
Give up and get off. If nothing works and Toodles has the upper hand, dismount quickly and hold your bike between you and those sharp teeth. Swing it like a weapon if necessary, and start calling for help. Someone may eventually come out of a house and yell, “Oh, he won’t hurt you!”
[Pardes: Great advice for "leisure" cyclists. That's right, ManUP, stop, and face your demon. Seriously, this is good advice, especially for a "leisure" cyclist who can't outrun a dog. Dogs, like most people get bored easily. If you aren't moving, you are no longer quite as interesting to them. And like any bully, when you confront them, they will usually slink away.]
Call the cops. If you are attacked and bitten, report it to the county sheriff or other authority immediately. Include the location, a description of the dog and the owner’s name and address if you know them. Get medical attention without delay. If the dog was rabid, you are at risk of serious illness or even death. Demand proof of rabies vaccination or insist to authorities that the dog be quarantined.
If the same dog accosts you every time you ride the road, report this to the authorities, too. You have a right to use public roadways free from fear for your life, liberty and pursuit of cycling happiness. Keep following up with calls to make sure steps are taken to put PupPup on a rope.
Receive a FREE copy of the eBook “29 Pro Cycling Secrets for Roadies” by subscribing to the RoadBikeRider Newsletter at www.RoadBikeRider.com. No cost or obligation!
[Pardes: Remember, not all dogs are bad dogs. Don't assume that a dog near a road is going to chase you, bite you, make your life miserable. That's like "leisure" cyclists assuming that all Roadie cyclists are unfriendly on the road and won't smile or speak to you. I have found that using, "Awwwwww, aren't you the sweetest thing," gets a friendly and safe response from both Bad Dogs and Roadies.]
Now go hug a Roadie, pat a dog, and get on over to RoadBikeRider to take a look at all their other wonderful and useful articles for cyclists.
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