I have moved to a new part of town, an area that is good for bike riding. After years, I am again riding.?

Question

Very nice and enjoyable. One problem, however. There are a few dogs in the area that are not kept up. Should I carry some kind of "pepper spray" as protection? Help me.

Answer 1

The best way to deal with loose dogs is to slow down when you are near them, sometimes it may even be necessary to get off the bike and keeping the bike between you and Cujo talk to the pooch. Dogs view bicyclists as substitute prey. When you slow down and/or get off your bike you stop behaving like prey and turn back into a person. The look on their faces when this happens is one of great disappointment, and it's really quite funny. I find that with a little patience and understanding loose dogs present very little real threat. All bark and no bite - I've nerver been bit in fifty years of riding.

If you're not a dog person and insist on acting like prey don't punish the pooch with pepper spray, instead just take your water bottle and give Fido a squirt in the face while yelling "BAD DOG". This should be more than enough to discourage the pup and you won't get in trouble with the law. Yes, the law. If you pepper spray a dog and there are people around or (dog forbid) there are children around and the over-spray reaches them you could be arrested for reckless endangerment and/or risk of injury to a minor. Or the dogs owner could chase you down and stomp you into a grease spot. Bad scene, getting beat-up or being arrested when all you want to do is enjoy some time in the saddle.

Answer 2

You could carry some kind of spray, but as already pointed out, you would probably find it difficult to use in the heat of the moment and you could put yourself in danger by trying to ride your bike and spray at the same time.

My suggestions are:

1. Assess whether the dogs are really threats. Are they really chasing after you to bite at you or are they doing what most dogs do, just following and being curious for a little while?

2. If there's a real sense of impending harm, contact animal control. Bad dogs shouldn't be roaming streets.

3. Ride faster. Seriously. Unless a dog is hell-bent on getting you, it will only keep up for a short while if you pick up the pace.

4. Find another route. If all else fails, yes, find another route. I assume you're not riding through dust-filled lots and alleyways.

Happy riding!

Answer 3

You might want to check the local laws in your area, in many cases owners are required to keep their dogs chained or fenced in. A talk with the owner, or the police, may be all you need to fix this.

However, I used pepper spray on a problem dog a few years ago, when other things failed to solve the problem. What I did was spray down and behind me, like laying a fog behind my rear wheel. The dog ran into it and backed off, with a lot less damage (I think) than if I'd sprayed directly at its face. It took about three or four applications before the dog figured things out, but the results have been permanent.

Answer 4

ay ay ay... that sucks!

I imagine pepper spray is a good repellant, but can you whip it out and aim for the eyes quick enough to stop a dog?
Might be worth a shot

I guess you could call it motivation to bike faster?

I'd try and find a good route that dogs wont interfere... perhaps a designated bike trail?

If there is one or two dogs you are worried about, I'd just find a new route.

good luck

Answer 5

You should carry pepper spray just in case, but try to find an alternate route to avoid having to deal with them.

Answer 6

the best deterrent I ever saw for a dog chasing you was a blast to his face from your water bottle. It's harmless and non-toxic, and it surprises the heck out of them when they get that close to you.

downside is you might wind up thirsty if it's the last of your water.