Chased by dogs...best strategy?

[duff_duffy]

Cruising along on some back country roads when a huge dog came out of nowhere, tried to outride but got too close for comfort so hopped off and put bike between dog and I. Serious stairdown occurred and thought the dog was going to just jump over bike and eat me. Luckily owner came running out of woods and calmed him down and just said sorry....what does everyone else recommend if this happens? Ride fast? Stop? Throw water bottle? Scream like a baby?

[fa63]

I think what you did was good, to put the bike between you and the dog. I have had to do that a couple times myself. Someone I know tried to outsprint one, and had a chunk of his calf bitten off...

You could carry some dog spray with you if this is a regular occurrence.

[Hindmost]

Frame-fit pump.

[johnmdesigner]

It depends.
I used to get chased by a dog on my regular route when I lived upstate. It was on a downhill and I would see the cruse missle coming from the backyard so I could time my escape properly.
If you are going uphill you have to get off and use your bike as a weapon.
A greasy chainring to the snoot works pretty well.
Most of them just want to chase you and will lose interest when you stop. But if the dog is trained for tactical warfare you don't have much choice except to wound it.
You're both mammals in the wilderness. Embrace your inner caveman.

[FlashUNC]

Blast of water in the face usually does the trick.

[cuda]

milkbone biscuits or whatever the USPS guy carries. Def. dont try to out run/ride the dog that just get them psyched up.
If you cant de-escalate the try squirting it with water after that i dunno - grab a big stick in one hand and wrap your helmet around the other and throw down.

[Ken Robb]

Dogs just LOVE to chase fast-moving things even when they won't know what to do with the thing they are chasing should they catch it. The stop and put the bike between you and the dog is good plan. At that time sometimes a loud, stern NO!! will send the dog on his way.

[soulspinner]

Originally Posted by Hindmost

Frame-fit pump.

Ive heard it works on humans too. just sayin......

[zap]

"Off the couch"

[makoti]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

Blast of water in the face usually does the trick.

This. Works every time. Let the dog get close enough to spray & they stop in their tracks. No one gets hurt.

[mmfs]

On a across the country ride earlier this year I had six separate dog “encounters” in Missouri - typically multiple dogs giving chase at a time.

After trying to outrun the first dogs and realizing that they can run upwards of 25 mph and can’t be outrun (at least by me on a loaded bike).

My next strategy included pepper spray which prove ineffective.

The most effective strategy included slowing somewhat which seemed to deescalate the situation, while yelling a stern “leave it”. A border collie that I tried this on immediately lied down (and is probably still waiting for someone to release it). I kept pepper spray at the ready too.

[93KgBike]

I watched a guy gas himself trying to pepper spray a dog - he crashed and I swear the dog was laughing.

Water bottle squirt has worked for me in the past, but you have to have time to anticipate the dog (or person).

Dismounting and using the bike as a shield gives you time to grab that bidon and squeeze!

Don't hurt the dogs, please.

[OtayBW]

If one gets too close, I YELL: NO!!!!!
That sometimes effects a reflex reaction with a dog.

[Mzilliox]

yell at them, i usually say "no bad dog" then yell "hey" a bunch of times. i have also squirted water in the face with success.

i have also just hammered

[Vonruden]

The few times I had this happen, a stern, deep voiced yell has always stopped em in their tracks. Nein! or Achtung! works great.