Got dogged :-(
Discussion
Not in the carpark :-) but out cycling thismorning.
Just pootling up my local cycle/foot path and passed a cyclist coming the other way who called out there was a "mental dog up ahead" I debated full speed or slow speed pass and choose to roll past slowly/quietly.
Dog was fluffy white thing with dripping tennis ball in mouth running around like a loon, spotted me the instant I cam into view. I coasted past on the far edge of the tarmac while the owner had the dog sit, the second I had past the dog started chasing me, I began to pedal and it leapt up at me so I moved over further and then it leapt again and hoofed me into the weeds... at the time I just p*ssed myself laughing, wasn't hurt and it seemed so stupid- dog didn't knwo what to do with itself and stood there with drool running down its face.
Bike seemed okay but found I'd scraped a good chunk of paint off the forks when I got home.
Most dogs cause no problem and owners are good at holding or controlling their dogs, wondered if I should have sped past, would have been out of range for the dog to catch (wasn't a greyhound!) and I could have passed at 20mph+ easily but that seems abit boy-racer for the cyclepath?
My missus suggeted booting the dog but firstly I was clipped in and secondly riding along with one foot locking in a dogs mouth doesn't appeal :-)
What do people here do? Speed, coast... pepper spray?
Just pootling up my local cycle/foot path and passed a cyclist coming the other way who called out there was a "mental dog up ahead" I debated full speed or slow speed pass and choose to roll past slowly/quietly.
Dog was fluffy white thing with dripping tennis ball in mouth running around like a loon, spotted me the instant I cam into view. I coasted past on the far edge of the tarmac while the owner had the dog sit, the second I had past the dog started chasing me, I began to pedal and it leapt up at me so I moved over further and then it leapt again and hoofed me into the weeds... at the time I just p*ssed myself laughing, wasn't hurt and it seemed so stupid- dog didn't knwo what to do with itself and stood there with drool running down its face.
Bike seemed okay but found I'd scraped a good chunk of paint off the forks when I got home.
Most dogs cause no problem and owners are good at holding or controlling their dogs, wondered if I should have sped past, would have been out of range for the dog to catch (wasn't a greyhound!) and I could have passed at 20mph+ easily but that seems abit boy-racer for the cyclepath?
My missus suggeted booting the dog but firstly I was clipped in and secondly riding along with one foot locking in a dogs mouth doesn't appeal :-)
What do people here do? Speed, coast... pepper spray?
This is very random, but interesting. My friends have an ex-racing greyhound (in fact, we're going to see him tonight!). Anyway, he can do 0-45mph in 8 strides. Yes, you read that right. 8 strides 
His legs are so quick that his neck can't maintain his head, so when he shoots off at full speed his head flails all over the place. It is seriously, seriously impressive.
Just thought I'd share
His legs are so quick that his neck can't maintain his head, so when he shoots off at full speed his head flails all over the place. It is seriously, seriously impressive.
Just thought I'd share
I have had barking dogs weave in front of me and chase. I usually stop and let the owner retrieve their dog before continuing.
Don't forget that it's the stupid owners, not the dogs fault. I usually say something along the lines of "this path is used by lots of bikes, so if you can't stop your dog chasing them, keep it on a lead". A kick to the face does nothing apart from show everyone else your a massive cock. Take it up with the owner.
Don't forget that it's the stupid owners, not the dogs fault. I usually say something along the lines of "this path is used by lots of bikes, so if you can't stop your dog chasing them, keep it on a lead". A kick to the face does nothing apart from show everyone else your a massive cock. Take it up with the owner.
I had a Staffordshire Bull Terrier years ago who absolutely loved being kicked in the face - it was one of his favourite games (it was up there with trying to take home a tree which is still rooted to the spot)! He was also faultlessly behaved, unlike many dogs we met out walking - especially in Walthamstow.
If the dog is causing grief I would probably stop and allow the owner to regain control; the chasing dog will see it all as a game.
If the dog is causing grief I would probably stop and allow the owner to regain control; the chasing dog will see it all as a game.
my dog runs alongside riders for about 10 yds, as she thinks it may be the son or my dad, both of whom i have been out on bikes with. i have also taken her along when i am on my own so she runs to check.
but even going downhill, she gets bored with the speed they are doing and races off, she is part whippet or greyhound and fairly nippy. one guy said he felt like he was going backwards when she just accelerated away from him
don't kick the dog it thinks its a game, take it up with the owner as has been said. my one has never knocked anyone off a bike, she has spooked a couple though when she shoots past at a rapid rate
but even going downhill, she gets bored with the speed they are doing and races off, she is part whippet or greyhound and fairly nippy. one guy said he felt like he was going backwards when she just accelerated away from him
don't kick the dog it thinks its a game, take it up with the owner as has been said. my one has never knocked anyone off a bike, she has spooked a couple though when she shoots past at a rapid rate
Hmmm, kicking dogs, spraying them with water in the face, pepper spray, using a laser pointer.....
Jeez, it’s a dog, not a f
king Lion none of those things will do much to deter a vicious dog that has it’s mind on attacking you which has to be rarer than being hit by lightening. You’re just engaging in a bit of animal cruelty on a family pet who wants to play.
I've been chases by dozens of dogs, big/small/fast/slow and they just sod off when they get bored of you. The worst that I've 'suffered' is stopping for a second so the owner can call the thing back.
Jeez, it’s a dog, not a f
king Lion none of those things will do much to deter a vicious dog that has it’s mind on attacking you which has to be rarer than being hit by lightening. You’re just engaging in a bit of animal cruelty on a family pet who wants to play.I've been chases by dozens of dogs, big/small/fast/slow and they just sod off when they get bored of you. The worst that I've 'suffered' is stopping for a second so the owner can call the thing back.
Edited by P-Jay on Monday 23 May 11:37
The OP earlier.
If you really can't wait for the owner to call the dog back then one thing I've seen on another cycling forum is the Dog Dazer that emits a high pitched noise or Bite Back spray.
For countries where they still have rabid dogs roaming wild pepper spray is your best option but illegal to carry in the UK as it's classed as a firearm. As a last resort I've got stainless steel bottles that could be used as a makeshift club in an emergency.
The obvious answer though is simply to have a couple of kittens tucked in the back pocket of your jersey to throw at the dog to distract it while you make your escape.
If you really can't wait for the owner to call the dog back then one thing I've seen on another cycling forum is the Dog Dazer that emits a high pitched noise or Bite Back spray.
For countries where they still have rabid dogs roaming wild pepper spray is your best option but illegal to carry in the UK as it's classed as a firearm. As a last resort I've got stainless steel bottles that could be used as a makeshift club in an emergency.
The obvious answer though is simply to have a couple of kittens tucked in the back pocket of your jersey to throw at the dog to distract it while you make your escape.
neilski said:
For countries where they still have rabid dogs roaming wild pepper spray is your best option but illegal to carry in the UK as it's classed as a firearm.
[Pedantic mode (for which I apologise but I can't help myself because I'm bored at work today)]I don't believe it is classed as a firearm but classed under the firearms act as a prohibited weapon. 
neilski said:
For countries where they still have rabid dogs roaming wild pepper spray is your best option but illegal to carry in the UK as it's classed as a firearm. As a last resort I've got stainless steel bottles that could be used as a makeshift club in an emergency.
Do you live at Baskerville Hall? 
A mate's families' alsation had a thing about tyres and would tear after you if you were on anything with them. Probably could be quite intimidating for cyclists even though it was purely for fun.
It's never happend to me but even if, like the OP I'd taken a spill because of a dog's overexuberance I don't know if I could kick one - unless it was actually attacking me.
Dogs are ridiculously easy to "make safe" without hurting them or putting yourself in the jaws of harm however the techniques involve your continued hold on them. Letting them go and parting "civilly" isn't something dogs really understand. If there's an owner nearby you could hold onto a dog until the owner arrived but owners come in two moulds:
1) those that care, are apologetic and try to minimise any further reason you might have for seeking a "destruction" order against their dogs, and
2) those that either think you're in the wrong, don't care, or are paralysed by their own inability to form coherent thoughts while they are walking.
If you find owner type 1, you get to hand over the unharmed dog. If you find owner type 2, you punch him in the face for not controlling his dog whilst continuing to beat his dog with your pump (which is why you should carry a pump and never one of those diddy CO2 canisters).
1) those that care, are apologetic and try to minimise any further reason you might have for seeking a "destruction" order against their dogs, and
2) those that either think you're in the wrong, don't care, or are paralysed by their own inability to form coherent thoughts while they are walking.
If you find owner type 1, you get to hand over the unharmed dog. If you find owner type 2, you punch him in the face for not controlling his dog whilst continuing to beat his dog with your pump (which is why you should carry a pump and never one of those diddy CO2 canisters).
sleep envy said:
NitroNick said:
HundredthIdiot said:
Blast from the water bottle full in the face.
While I have no doubt that this action would be very refreshing I fail to see how it might delay an imminent attack.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff