Cyclists, what is your method to thwart off attacking farm dogs during rides?

[speedracing944]

Having not ridden for nearly 20 years I am now training for a century ride in September. I have gone as far as 43 miles non stop so far and I do small, high energy hill rides near my house in the morning or evening. During my short rides near my house out in the country I have had farm dogs run up and try to bite my ankles. One even ran right in front of my tire as I was going 30 MPH. These encounters are starting to piss me off. So far my method of dealing with it is once the dog starts barking and running toward me, I unclip from my pedals, stop the bike, dismount and if the dog gets within my comfort zone I will swing my bike and make contact if the dog does not back off far enough. I hold my ground until the dog backs away and shows no further sign of aggression. Yesterday I was attacked by 2 dogs at once. First they took me head on and then spread apart so they were 180 degrees apart from each other. My rear tire made contact with the snout of one of them and they backed off.

I am thinking of carrying dog repellent but I am nervous of blow-back while I am ridding and getting myself in the face. Another suggestion I have heard is to carry an extra water bottle filled with ammonia, which when sprayed, the dogs back off quickly.

What tactic do you use to "train" dogs to not attack you while riding?

Speedy

[Aggie93]

I have not ridden since college, but this was my method.

[herr_oberst]

frame mounted tire pump.. oh, someone 'beat' me to it!

[bell]

bear mace?

[sc_rufctr]

What about a dog whistle?

Dog whistle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[maaak928]

Water pistol filled with ammonia. If I had a water bottle filled with ammonia, it would only be a matter of time before I grabbed the wrong one....

[jhynesrockmtn]

Small compressed air pellet gun?

[E38Driver]

A can of wasp spray works great. 20~30 foot range, does not kill the dogs but it does stop them from coming closer. Horse back riders taught me that one.

Dave

[mnewport]

Water pistol filled with ammonia. If I had a water bottle filled with ammonia, it would only be a matter of time before I grabbed the wrong one....

This was what I used to use. I grew up in a rural area and had to contend with getting attacked by farm dogs every day (I had a paper route in junior high).

You'd be amazed at how many people get upset at you for defending yourself against their dogs. It's unreal.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

What about a dog whistle?

Tape two dog whistles to one of the wheels, near the rim and diametrically opposed to maintain balance.

[Tobra]

I used a spray bottle with ammonia/water mix. Fit in one of the water bottle holders. Had a guy yell at me about it one time. He got a hold on his dog and I turned around and went back to discuss it. He was out of control, actually threatened to "kick my queer ass", must have been the shorts. I told him I could have used the .38 instead of the water bottle, which seemed to settle him down some.

[island911]

Originally Posted by E38Driver

A can of wasp spray works great. 20~30 foot range, does not kill the dogs but it does stop them from coming closer. Horse back riders taught me that one.

Dave

a neurotoxin Yikes. Hope the dogs are not up-wind

Mail carriers use pepper spray, fwiw.

[gatotom]

My tactic has always been, lets go boy, catch me if you can??

It always stimulated me to ride hard and when I would ride certain routes and see the same dog over and over, well, I knew what to expect.

I also did my share of yelling out commands to the dog, a welll trained dog would back off but a untrained dog I would ride it into the ground.

[E38Driver]

Originally Posted by island911

a neurotoxin Yikes. Hope the dogs are not up-wind

Wow I did not know that.^^^^^^ I know lots of horse riders have used it. That is why I mentioned it.

Dave

[look 171]

Pump does not work. Its not heavy enough. That's like hitting a bear with a base ball bat. You might end up missing and getting that pump jam into your spokes and falling then the dog will bite you in the face. I use to carry dog spray. Usually I just out ride the dog. They always manage to get me at a stop light. There are bike marks to proof it on my leg.

[cantdrv55]

Usually a squirt from my water bottle to the face is enough to slow them down, if not stop them on their tracks.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by gatotom

My tactic has always been, lets go boy, catch me if you can??

It always stimulated me to ride hard and when I would ride certain routes and see the same dog over and over, well, I knew what to expect.

I also did my share of yelling out commands to the dog, a welll trained dog would back off but a untrained dog I would ride it into the ground.

This is what I have always done....get on the gas hard when you hear that barking! It's called a 'sprint'!

[CurtEgerer]

Originally Posted by island911

a neurotoxin Yikes. Hope the dogs are not up-wind

Mail carriers use pepper spray, fwiw.

"Toxicity symptoms in humans include asthmatic breathing, sneezing, nasal stuffiness, headache, nausea, incoordination, tremors, convulsions, facial flushing and swelling, and burning and itching sensation."

When working in the ghetto, I carry the large 14oz CRC Chemicals industrial wasp spray bottles (plural). They have a nice trigger pull and about a 30 foot range. Effective on the eye balls of roaming packs of pit bulls and crack addicts alike. I always hope for tremors and convulsions, not nasal stuffiness

[John Rogers]

I used to carry one of the small freon powered air horns, like you hear in the F1 races. It was clipped in the center of the handle bar so I could grab it with either hand and that really made them stop! worked on some cars too.....

[notmytarga]

Some of the above.... and :