[snowbird]

I ride rural roads here in SW Ohio. There's practically no traffic. But because it's so isolated some people keep guard dogs. Some dogs, especially some of the older ones get quite serious about defending "their" portion of the road. They snarl, growl, head down, tail down. They're wanting to bite.

A biker I met said usully a squirt from his water bottle is enough to ward them off. But that was just after he'd been bitten. He had holes in his ankle to prove it.

What's a good way to ward off dogs without getting the homeowner so upset he's getting out the shotgun or calling the sheriff?

[Xela]

Some discussions on this subject can be found in this thread, started as a discussion on using pepper spray on dogs.

http://www.twospoke.com/forum/f39/pepper-spray-978/

By the way, if yelling at them doesn't work (usually does, because they don't recognize you as a human, and if you yell "no" or some other word they have heard from humans a lot, they usually at least pause long enough for you to ride on by), the water bottle trick usually works for me.

[Xela]

Originally Posted by snowbird

or calling the sheriff?

I say let him call the sheriff. It's his job as a home/dog-owner to make sure that the dog is kept under control and is not a harm or threat to people.

For example, here's some laws in our state.

(a) Municipal corporations shall have the power to prevent the running at large of dogs, and injuries and annoyances therefrom, and to authorize the destruction of them, when at large contrary to any prohibition to that effect.

Any animal or fowl that is found running at large within the city is declared to be a nuisance and shall be impounded in some suitable place designated by the mayor.

No owner shall fail to exercise proper care and control of his animals to prevent them from becoming a public nuisance.

You can find the laws for your state here:
Overview of State Leash Laws

[Grape Ape]

I delivered newspapers when I was a kid. I never had a problem with a dog. I just made sure I made them think I was the pack leader. Loud, instant response to them. I even had an old cattle dog jump out of the back of a truck at me. I hollered at him as he was in the air. He hit the ground and turned around and jumped back in the truck. The owner was running out to save me because every other time it happened someone got bit. One kid always carried a spray bottle with lemon juice and aimed for their eyes. I did his route one summer and never had a problem with any dog on the route. He came back and got bit the first day.

Be confident, be loud, be on your feet and powering away.

[Biker]

I look them dead in the eye and I say "No, stop, That's not food. Go away. Where are your owners?"

[crazystreet]

You have to move away as slowly and quietly as possible or be still on one side of the road and wait until cars come by, only move away when the cars are blocking the animals view of you. Also you can use your bike as a shield against them if anything goes wrong a vehicle can chase them away.

[Biker]

I think it's easier to let the dogs know who's boss. A stern warning works well I'm telling you.

[funetical]

Hot Dog Necklace! They hate it!

[snowbird]

Has anyone tried an aerosol boat horn? My nephew says they work great!

These dogs aren't pets. They're guard dogs on properties maybe 1/2 mile apart. There is a large pit bull between my home and the nearest town. He wears a large shocker collar activated by invisible fence. Every time I ride by he hurls himself again and again against the barrier snarling and growling all the while. He goes nuts. If he ever gets past the barrier I'm a dead man.
But the dogs in Fayette county to the north of me aren't restrained at all. They make the road part of their territory. I'm on them on the bicycle before I even know they're there. I'm going to need something to use against them while they're closing on me.
I have a 9mm pistol, but I'm not that good of a shot over my shoulder while riding a bicycle. Besides it's a pretty extreme measure. But I swear the last time I was out I wished I had it with me.
If I carried pepper spray it'd be the kind they use on grizzly bears!

The last thing I want is to get mauled by some dog! Plus fearing for your life takes some of the pleasure out of an afternoon ride. And I really resent being at the mercy of some dumb animal when all I'm trying to do is ride my bike.

I appreciate everyone's replies. But I'm faced with a more serious problem than backing down some ankle biter. Anybody got any extreme defense measures?

[Xela]

New product. Probably more info after Interbike.

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