They're territorial, and you are the interloper. Often they
don't really recognise a cyclist as being a 'person' ... so
if you see a dog looking like they might take a run at you,
it is often helpful to speak to them so they realize you are
human and not some strange, swift adversary. Sometimes a
friendly word is enough for a mildly concerned dog, but if
they are at all aggressive, be very loud & commanding, and
use the command words their master likely uses with them -
STOP, HEEL, DOWN, etc. Of course, if you are in a foreign
land, you may not know the words in the language the dog is
familiar with, but commanding voice just the same is often
enough to make the dog realize you are both not a threat,
and are their superior.
If you do end-up having to come off your bike - either
because you are knocked down by the dog or it is the best
option - use your bike as a shield to fend-off any attack.
I have been dogged a few times, and it is unpleasant.
Generally, the commanding voice has worked. Once, there was
little opportunity, I was in farm country, passing 2 young
boys playing in the ditch at the road by their farmhouse,
and suddenly their dog (that I had not seen) was out of the
ditch and at my pedals, defending his masters. The shock of
it almost took me down, but adrenalin got the cranks turning
and I darted out from his jaws, and dog soon decided I
wasn't a threat anymore.
On another occasion, I learned one other very important
truism about dealing with dogs ... if you are cycling with
mates, you don't have to outrun the dog, you just have to
outrun one of your mates!
Tumbleweed said:Is there a standard or best way of dealing with dogs? Just
got back from holiday, whilst there I hired a bike and did
a few k, at one point two dogs got very aggressive and I
discovered just how fast I could cycle ... faster than I
ever thought possible, which was luckily for me faster
than the dogs! I then had to take a large detour to make
sure I didnt meet them on the way back!
BTW, I did nothing to aggravate them....didnt shout at
them or do anything other than cycle past the [censored].
--
Tumbleweed
Remove my socks for email address
