Dogs are intelligent animals, and their behaviour is usually predictable
and manageable. Unicyclists are intelligent animals, and their
behaviour is usually self-manageable. There is no need for all this
gung ho [censored] about using mace spray and unijitsu.
Dogs are motivated by territorial considerations and by dominance
within the pack. They will also hunt, play and mate. It is a simple
life, and preferable to working in an office.
Never approach an unknown dog that is on its own territory. Especially
if it is behind a gate, or on a chain, it will be even more territorial
than usual. Never reach over or through a gate or fence to a dog you
do not know and trust.
On the other hand, if you act like you have a right to be there, and
behave confidently and are "dismissive but friendly" towards the dog,
there will not normally be a problem if you do enter a dog's
territory.
If a dog is on a lead, it will act more territorially. It will also be
more likely to jump up or be aggressive because it can feel vulnerable.
(A loose dog will often feel dominant over a dog on a lead and may
attack it.)
Never ride close to a dog that is on a lead. There is no need to do
so.
If it is a narrow path, make yourself known to the dog and to the
owner, well in advance. Communicate. Dogs can "understand" simple
words and tones of voice. So can some dog owners.
If the owner knows you are there, they will usually restrain the dog if
they think it is necessary; they know their dog. Most owners are not
completely irresponsible idiots; in fact, most are over cautious,
fondly beleiving that their little Fifi is a slavering hound. They are
out walking their dogs because they like dogs. And mostly they won't
be reckless about exposing themselves to the risk of litigation,
either.
If you see a dog ahead on your route, make sure it knows you are there.
Click your tongue, whistle, or say, "Good dog". Act and sound like a
friendly human. Don't try to befriend the dog or make a fuss of it;
just sound friendly and unthreatening.
Never ever ride between an owner and the dog (especially if the dog is
on a lead!🙄 ) as this may make the dog run to defend its
owner. Never ever go close to children who are in the same party as
the dog, because the dog will defend them.
Even big dogs (Rotties, Alsatians, etc.) will usually back down if you
speak to them either firmly and confidently, or disparagingly. A
simple, "Get down you daft bugger" or "No!" will usually do the trick.
Dogs hate to be patronised. It confuses them and they get embarrassed
and back down.
Remember that the dog has probably met very few unicyclists in its
life. All it sees is a strange fast moving thing that may either be
fun to play with, or a threat, or good to hunt. Your job is to clarify
in the dog's mind that you are in fact a good-natured and unthreatening
human being who is higher than it in the pack order.
If a dog comes running towards you, and the above tactics don't work,
then dismount. This does two things:
- It eliminates the risk of you falling off and becoming "vulnerable
prey" on the ground.
- It turns you into a conventional human being shape - a shape that
the dog can understand. (Many dogs do not have very good vision.
They hunt largely by sense of smell.)
Once you are dismounted, place the unicycle betyween you and the dog,
with the wheel sideways on. It will look like a solid barrier to the
dog. Continue to speak confidently and firmly. If there is an owner
nearby, do not be aggressive; the dog will react to the tone, and its
instinct will be to defend its own pack.
If necessary, walk rather than ride until the dog is no longer a
threat.
Strangely, most dogs will "forget" about you once you are past them.
Dogs are curious animals, and will be looking for the next interesting
smell.
Never try to hurt the dog. If you succeed, you end up with a potential
legal hassle (whether you win or lose) and anyway, it isn't the dog's
fault. It is only doing what dogs do, and it isn't the dog's fault if
it hasn't been properly trained.
Dogs have been part of human society for thousands of years.
Unicycling is a very new sport. Don't be arrogant. Be prepared to
give way.
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Filename: Ellie and Rocco.JPG |
|Download: http://www.unicyclist.com/attachment/24439 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
--
Mikefule
"Maybe," said the old man smiling, "who knows how the wheel may run?
It's fool who claims to know its place of resting."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mikefule's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/879
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/66896
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com
