How to keep dogs from attacking/chasing after you.

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Other than either Halt or just outrunning them, what is a good method to keep dogs away?

Take the reflectors out of your spokes.

Ram them. If they get hurt, then they'll know who the boss is next time.

Ride with your own dog, that's what I do! Seriously though, a good squirt of gatorade in the face/eyes will deter any dog.

I had a dog attack me once. I reported it to the authorities and the owner kept his dog locked up after that. In Illinois there is at least the potential that he would have to keep his animal muzzled, though apparently no charges were filed on him, I didn't push too hard and the cop maybe cut him a break.

Chase the dog, and yell loudly. Not many dogs will want to take on a 30kmh 100kg what ever the hell that thing is thats after me. once he knows you as a preditor youll be safe.

Other than either Halt or just outrunning them, what is a good method to keep dogs away?
I have found that being aggressive and riding towards them (Eg barking back at them ) always works for me. I think they pick up if your afraid of them.

I have found that being aggressive and riding towards them (Eg barking back at them ) always works for me. I think they pick up if your afraid of them.Yes, I have employed various tactics like this, all of them reasonably successful. Bear in mind that very few dogs actually want to attack you, they just think it's their duty to chase you, though a few have nipped at my heels. Also, I am an animal lover, but I also think that you have a right to defend yourself against an agressive dog. At one time there was a particularly annoying dog that always rushed me at the same point. One day I put a vinegar solution in my water bottle and gave him a squirt of that. No harm done, but he didn't bother me after that.

mace.

Oh HERE is that thread! This is the discussion that inspired my blog post about how to get rid of agressive dogs (http://www.itsgottabered.com/MTB-Serbia/2007/top-5-tips-for-defence-against-agressive-dogs/). I knew the thread was round here somewhere!

Mace is probably taking it too far - vinegar, lemon juice, or something similar would probably do the trick.

....vinegar, lemon juice, or something similar would probably do the trick.Maybe, but some formulations of Mace don't work on dogs. Read the label. If you don't need it, don't spray.

I carry mace, I don't often carry the other. I've already been jumped by two dogs within my first 3 weeks of cycling and attacked by a person. I'm not sure it is to far, I'm not a big fan of being bitten.

I carry mace, I don't often carry the other. I've already been jumped by two dogs within my first 3 weeks of cycling and attacked by a person. I'm not sure it is to far, I'm not a big fan of being bitten.jeez, where do you live?

the sad part about cycling is that a lot of people, if not the majority, are still ignorant or oblivious to the rules of the road when it pertains to cycling/cars; a lot of people who bike keep using the sidewalks too (especially at main roads) and are clueless to the rules, as well -- very unpredictable.

anyhow, i digress, just slap the dog when it gets close -- punch 'em in the nose if need be. :rolleyes: people need to restrain their dogs.

middle of nowhere montana, they guy took offence to me seeing him beat up his GF and tried to run me over, couple weeks later two dogs decided I was a meal and put me into a fence. I carry mace now. Punching dogs in the nose is a good way to get bitten by an aggressive dog so I'll stick with mace. Mine has pepper spray and CS/tear gas. It should work fine on dogs.

mace.P.S. I heard that mace may not work on dogs, you need to use pepper spray - worth checking, or you might get a nasty shock!

as posted above my "mace" is pepper spray with CS/tear gas it'll work fine.

well in most cases attack is the best defence... since in general we are (in combo with a bike) a lot bigger than a dog... and they are not attacking because of food, so they won't be too persistant... howewer the problem is when there is a pack, then roaring as a beast, kicking some noses with biking shose and waving around with a bike works as charm... the only problem is humans see you doing that... they will also be terrified :p

Yesterday I went for a long ride along the Danube and got to test a couple of theories. Upon being chased by a nasty yappy dog near a farmhouse I tried:

1) Filling my mouth with water from the bottle and spraying it: the dog was a bit taken aback at first and slowed slightly and then continued chasing me. When I tried it again it ignored my tactic!

2) When I got sick of the dog I tried simply stopping and turning threateningly at the dog and making agressive noises (in Serbia people normally make a sound like "MRSSHHH!" - animals seem to universally recognise it!) - that did the trick, the dog turned tail and ran!

May not work every time, but did not require the use of firearms! By the way, I had several other brushes with dogs, but outran them in each case, he he!

I got chased by two German shepards once, I usualy just stare dogs down but these dogs came at me and one nipped my leg so I stopped and swung my bike at them to scare them and off when that didnt work, I kicked them. several cars stopped and were honking at the dogs and saw what happened, when the owner of the dogs became Irate with me, I told him to keep his dogs in his yard, or I'd skin them. several cars had stopped top watch as I started to cross the four lane road after his dogs, who were barking at me from the median island all the while this man cussing at me for kicking his dogs. A motorcycle cop pulled up and several of the car drivers told him what happened, and he (the cop) told me to go on my way and he gave the man a ticket/fine for the loose dogs.

I also am an animal lover but, will protect myself with violence, if the need to arrises. I own seven cats, an American Pitbull Terrier, a Chow chow/German shepard mix, and a south american ball python.

I've been fortunate, with only a few encounters with dogs. I most cases, I've simply stopped pedalling and said in a firm, deep voice "No!" The dogs have always retreated after that. However, I'm sure, each dog most be treated individually with measures fitted to its temperment and nurture.