I need advise on dealing with Dogs during training rides/runs

Josh Maylee

I recently moved to the country and as I've discovered EVERY route I find has multiple Big, Ugly, Aggressive dogs waiting for me at almost every turn. They basically chase anything (car, person, bike). I need suggestions on how to deal with them on a run and/or a bike?  All help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks 

Robert Sabo

Having been bitten more then once,  all I can say is I hate that and I am glad I now live where there are leash laws.  Is there pepper spray for dogs?

Josh Maylee

Yeah that's my issue, thought about pepper spray, air horns, etc. I'm not sure any of that works and don't want to find out the hard way:) I've read about stopping and charging them for a few feet (which I did) but only a temporary fix. 

Clark Mitchell

I deal with this issue also.  Fortunately, I've learned where most of the "bad dogs" live and I'm no longer surprised by them.  Mostly I can sprint past them, since I only encounter unleashed dogs while riding.  The ethical dilemma for me is when I encounter both a bad dog and an oncoming car, but so far I've not steered any bad dogs to an untimely death.  Most of the dogs I've encountered seem more interested in the chase, so I've not been bitten, yet.  

I've considered stopping back after my ride to speak with the dog's bad owners but I've never bothered to actually go back.

If you can carry and throw small rocks while riding, that might be an option...

I've got nothing for you on the running side.  Sorry.

tim cronk

No such thing as a "bad dog" just "bad owners".... Having a discussion with these "bad owners" is not likely to get you anywhere, as they will be defensive and always believe they are in the right... Avoid if possible, and dont turn your back on them... I was once double teamed by a large dog and a small dog, (owner watching the whole thing) and while I was facing the big dog that lil sucker came bit, and drew blood too...  No apology from the owner , I just confirmed they had their shots.... The more I thought about it later on the more I thought I should have reported it to the authorities but again that likely would have been a waste of time and breath...

Michael Collins

A good trick to use on the bike is to slow down a little before approaching the dog and get out your water bottle. Then accelerate and hopefully the dog will misjudge your speed and not get that close, but if they do just give them a squirt in the face. It won't hurt the dog but will startle it enough to stop or slow down and not try to bite your leg. I do not recommend throwing the water bottle at them as you will likely miss and lose a bottle.

Steve boer

While my experience is zero, i'd think that if works for bears, it should be strong enough for dogs:
https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/bearspray.htm

Satish Punna

Only thing I can add is that if you do have to stop and get off your bike, keep the bike between you and the dog if at all possible.  

Mark Maurer

Vo2 Max sprint. 
But seriously, there is pepper spray and I've used the spraying the dog with water before with success. I used to ride the same route just about every day and there was a dog that chased me every time. One day I saw him coming out and just stopped and waited for him. I talked to him and asked him why he chased me and told him I wasn't going to do anything to him or his house. After that he would still come running out but he would just run along side me and then he actually started chasing off other dogs a quarter mile down the road. (Note: your mileage may vary.

Chris Oubre

I stop and chase the dog.  I roar at it the whole time and scream at it in a devil voice.  I have even run the dog all the way to it’s back yard. I am bigger than you. You are afraid of ME.   

If it’s a large dog aggressively chasing me I don’t try to put run them ever. I turn around and prepare for war. 

Try giving them a command like SIT or HEEL. I also look them in the eye and point back home. 

If it’s a small dog that is aggressive I will kick it.   Or some times I run just fast enough to keep the dog interested and make it chase me far far from the house. The normally passive owner who didn’t care when it started chasing me gets upset and finally concerned when they realize that I am leading the dog far far away from them. 

Lastly if you keep you dogs dogs outside where the bark at me on a 3-4 am run, I make it my mission to stop there and stretch so they wake up your ass as well. 

Jacklyn Moore

@Chris Oubre- Dang! Remind me not to piss you off.

 I do similiar. I live in town but ride far afield. I have actually had owners set their dogs on me. I will usually stand my ground. Make eye contact. If they block you, place your bike between you and start walking forward. 

THe little dogs are the worst. Because their little and CUTE their owners don't train them. They make excellent foot balls. Even if their on leash, held by a little old lady. 

With one of more aggressive dogs, big lab. I started going on that route regularly. Didn't take long and I was old news. Then I started giving him treats. Now he waits for me. Nice dog. Lousy owner.

Josh Maylee

Thanks for all the advise so far everyone!! You're advise is on par with what I've read but wanted to hear from people that are experienced runners/cyclists... It might be trial and error - such is life right:) I have used voice commands like "Get back" and stopping and charging a few feet at them before. However, I haven't tried anything yet on the bike, so that's my main concern. 

There's an awesome 6 mile loop right where I live but there are 3 packs of 2 or more dogs around it...I might have to go to WAR with them and want all the tricks I can get...I'm beginning to think now that I have to just make it into a challenge...something like "I fight packs of dogs on every run and bike...140.6 miles is nothing!!!!!!!!" 

Gordon Cherwoniak

I don't have much to add other than to be careful with the pepper spray when using it, particularly if the dog is in front of you.  If you are clipping along or have a good headwind definitely don't hold the spray up or you might get yourself and according to my wife you don't want to do this.  She was a former conservation officer and as part of her training they had to be sprayed in the eyes to feel what it's like prior to being issued the stuff. 

Brian Harding

I ride/run in the country too. On the bike, I'm able to speed up and lose them. If they come at me from the front, I'll stop. It's the chase that gets them excited. Same on the run. More than a few times I've been running with ear buds only to feel something bump my calf or shoe. Turn around and it's 80 lbs of teeth and fur. If you stop and talk in your dog voice (we all have our dog voice, be honest), they either take a head rub or head home. Honestly. If you do get bit, don't take it out on the dog (they don't know better). I've yelled at owners more than a few times and that usually takes care of it. If it doesn't I egg their house... 

Josh Maylee

@ Brian Harding, total agree with you that the chase is what they're after and it really isn't the dogs fault, stupid owners, dogs are just being dogs. I just did a 6 mile run today, encountered a pair of dogs, used loud commands of "Get Back" and charged at them for a couple of feet. They got scared and ran back towards their house, had to do it twice. On the way back, same two dogs were standing in the middle of the road, ran towards me then realized it was me and ran off to the side of road and let me pass as if I was the alpha male coming by after a glorious victory:) I just smiled and say said "that's right - I own you" and kept running. I've decided that I'm going to win this war and take my running loop back!  

Chris Oubre

@Josh Maylee love it!!