Pepper Spray

I've never had a dog chase me that was determined to do me harm, but I know lots of people that have and they all say a squeeze from a water bottle in it's direction will scare off nearly every dog out there.

I carry pepper spray on me at all times. I have never had to use it before though. Often times, I turn it to the spray position and have it ready if I am walking through a dark place at night and shady characters are around. I think it even just helps having it on you, mine is bright pink so it is easy to see and I think if a mugger were to spot it, they would think twice about jumping me.

Oftentimes, it's been my experience with dogs that a simple "no" or other phrase identifying yourself as a human (face it, dogs don't see many people dressed like us riding bikes) is enough to make the dog stop. If they persist, I've had good luck with the water bottle trick.

However, I did buy my wife pepper spray from Kimber sold on Competitive Cyclist's webpage. It says it's spray velocity is more than enough to prevent blow-back.

2009 Kimber PepperBlaster - Competitive Cyclist

and here is their video review of it Kimber PepperBlaster Review

A good ole squirt from the water bottle seems to do the trick everytime. Every dog i have encountered backs off from a water bottle squirt. Less to carry too, just make sure you have enough water.

I carry raw steak in my seat bag. Of course, maybe that's why they chase me in the first place. [scratching head]

What better motivation to push yourself harder than to have wild dogs chasing you. Think of it as a good thing.

Usually dogs will chase you if your going really fast just for the thrill of the chase, if you turn around and go after them (really squatty mutt dogs) they usually turn tail and run.....

If you never want them to mess with you, stay perfectly still and once they get 6 inches away from you scream at them and chase them down the street... they won't chase you the same after that

Once I was skating and a dog was chasing me, I knew they had allergic reactions to toads and I saw a toad hopping along the grass, I also knew that toads urinate when you pick them up so I waited for the dog to grow near.

Once he was within range, I picked up the toad and pointed it at him and it actually got him! He was probably frothing for a bit and sneezing after that

Had a dog run up to me yesterday, I turned around and with a stern voice and told the dog to "Go home" several times and it worked this time. It took what seemed like a minute but it worked. Seems like most dogs I have encountered on rides just want to bark, I'm sure others will say otherwise.

I've also seen it recommended more that once, that if you are harassed by a dog, especially multiple times, to call the police and report it and the owners. Has anybody ever done this? If so, how receptive and helpful were the officers?

I carry pepper spray on me at all times. I have never had to use it before though. Often times, I turn it to the spray position and have it ready if I am walking through a dark place at night and shady characters are around. I think it even just helps having it on you, mine is bright pink so it is easy to see and I think if a mugger were to spot it, they would think twice about jumping me.

Is there a kind of foam spray or sound device only dogs could hear that can turn them away?

Dean said:

What better motivation to push yourself harder than to have wild dogs chasing you. Think of it as a good thing.

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Riding away has been my first reaction, yelling also works well. I haven't had to use the water trick, but I like it.

My wife has pepper spray, but not for dogs, (I'm hopin it isn't for me???)

The little ankle biters give me the most trouble, had one bite my shoe, little creep snuck up on me when I looked away, but no harm done.

DrB

Mail men carry a really intense pepper spray for dogs. Careful using it though. If your riding and use it your going to catch some in the face and then the dog has the advantage. Never give the dog the advantage. Never.

Centro said:

Have any of you ever had to use pepper spray on a dog chasing you? I never have before but I have this fear that some day I will have to and it may backfire on me, such as the wind blowing it back towards me and getting me.

Just wondering what you guys have to say on this topic.

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The only aspect regarding dogs, that concerns me every time, is when they try to drag their owners when they come after me. So to alleviate that problem, when I see a dog n' their owner, I go up to the dog. The dog almost always calms down after I do that.