[bankchick]

Grrrrrr......went out for a quick ride after work last night and was tag teamed by a pit bull mix and a little yappy dog. I have ridden this road 50 times and have never seen this pit before, he caught me totally off guard. I was riding into a headwind and I saw this dog race across the yard toward me. I usually try to talk nice like it is my own dog and that has worked in the past, but not last night. (I have HALT but didn't have it with me--I have never had to use it). So anyway the little dog is on my left barking and the pit was on my right going crazy. I unclipped my right foot and lifted my knee up high, as he was going for that leg, then he lunged at my hand which I moved and he caught my handlebars with his teeth, ripping my tape. I continued pedaling with my left foot and finally they gave up. Been stewing on it all day. I will probably call the county to file a complaint, but I really want to ride out there again with reinforcements and spray that su**** right between the eyes.

Anyone have a good dog story.

I hope I didn't post this in the wrong place.

[Nigal]

I think a good cap stun type spray is a great deterrent. it's non lethal. It's effective. And it'll let the owner know their little Precious just may not be the perfect dog they think it is.

Also, just maybe try the hot dog trick and make friends. If that doesn't work spray 'em down good.

[wild]

I carry spray on the bike, and I use it if thay chase me . the spray I use is called Dog-Repelent . it don't seam to hurt them, thay just stop and walk away.Thay don't rub there eyes or sneze or show any sign it bothers them.

[rola643]

Banckchick, I had basically the same scenario last year. They never got close enough to have dinner though ! I bought a product called Sabre and have never once had to use it. I liked fact it has UV Marking Dye should the need arise to ID any 4 legged or not "animal". At the time it was all I could find locally. I have sprayed water from water bottles and that seems to work. I have to say the few times I have been chased I have been completely surprised by how fast a dog can actually run !

[goldentouch]

I live in the country and being said there are no laws that say dogs can't run loose. So every ride is an experence. I have never had a dog bit but hitting a dog with my bike is a real worry. Most of the time I just squart them with my water bottle and they go away. I do have one that is very aggressive and I think he now comes out to get a drink. I started carring pepper spray and that does work just be careful of the wind.

[djcyberlegend]

Take a look at this thread, lots of useful info there...

[SUX VR40 Rider]

I used to carry a water pistol filled with cayenne pepper, crushed and dried habanero pepper, ground table pepper and rubbing alcohol, bright red rit dye with just a little bit of water.

When an aggressive dog would come at me I did not want to just stop it, I wanted to debiliitate it so it could not continue coming after me or any one else. I had to use it on more than one occasion. Once I even had the owner come after me. I explained to him, while aiming the water gun at his face, his dog gave chase to attack me on a public roadway and if he attempts an assault on me I will spray him in the face too. He backed off and walked away.

I have not carried it in a while. Have not had to. But I still have it just in case I ever need it again. Of course with Sioux City's new vicious dog laws any dog that gives chase and aggressivley tries to attack me I will have it destroyed. Any new Pit Bulls are now banned in Sioux City and the ones grand fathered in have to be registered or they have to be moved outside the city limits if they are not they will be caught and destroyed.

The thing is none of this is the dogs fault. There are no such things as bad dogs, just bad dog owners. Perhaps if the law were more severe directly toward the bad dog owners. Like force them to be registered, moved outside the city or even destroyed maybe people would train their dogs not to be attack animals or not to be aggressive and keep better track of their animals.

[funetical]

I get barked at and chased but I've never been attacked. The dog attacking you would be grounds to end the dogs life in Texas. It's a shame because the owners are the problem.

[KHoulne]

What works best for me is just being the bigger dog. Yell a sharp and quick "NO!" that usually startles them enough to throw them off. If they are really aggressive, I'll face them down and do a lot of NO's and GO HOMES. Usually works.

[funetical]

I tried growling at one once in an attempt to be the big dog and the dog just got angrier.