I agree with Lori. It doesn't matter whether the guy hates dogs or not. He feels like he should be able to ride his bike down the street without being charged at, just like I feel I should be able to walk my small dog on leash through a city public space without having to constantly be vigilant about unleashed larger dogs.

I didn't read any trollish-ness or unreasonable attitude in the questioner. I kind of applaud him for asking the question on a dog training website. Maybe he lives in an area where this is an ongoing problem for him. I don't think he wants to learn how to make friends with these dogs, maybe more like how we would deal with a charging dog in the same situation, or better yet, how would we like him to deal with OUR dog, if it got loose and was chasing a biker.

Michael should be able to ride his bike without being chased. I think his anger is misplaced and should be put towards the fools who allow their dogs to do this. Shooting at a chasing dog while you bicycle will be probably be a major fail; so looking for an alternative is a smart move.

Prey drive is difficult to sustain when the prey is no longer acting like prey; getting off your bike and walking it while completely ignoring the dog will probably help and also give you the opportunity to take a picture of the dog and neighborhood and report the problem to animal control. In case the dog is really trying to bite (most likely not) carry mace or something similar. I am not sure where you are located but most neighborhoods have rules and laws about uncontrolled dogs; use these laws in your defense.

Also, see if you can find local areas where dogs are not allowed or where strict leash laws are enforced. Prevention is usually the best self defense so avoiding the areas which have the most potential for danger can be effective. I wish I could offer you a 100% solution but I don't think there is one.

However; I can say for every story you read about attacks there are thousands of dogs who are "man's best friend". And why I choose to keep a dog...... no matter what, my dog is never disappointed in me, never judges me and is always happy to see me. Does it get any better than that?

when i bike i always carry 2 water bottles one for drinking and one to spray chasing dogs.plain water doesn't hurt them, just a good startle and before they recover, i'm long past( this wont work on all dogs but most of the typical loose ones)

Remember: if you use mace, make sure the wind is at your back. you don't want a dog chasing you with mace in you eyes (lol)

For what it's worth, I rode my mountain bike to work for a total of 26 miles round trip daily for a period of two years - and I'd no more consider using a firearm to protect myself while on a bike than I would to shoot blindfolded.
Bad, bad idea.

I certainly understand that dogs chasing bicycles are annoying as all get out and possibly dangerous. But dogs are only as good as their owners allow/train them to be.

I think the majority of dogs chase bicycles because it is FUN for a dog to chase. It's what they do unless they are prevented from doing it through restraint or training.

In light of that, a few I personally would try if I found a dog hot on my heels would be
- diverting them with treats (something strong smelling like liver treats, get them at wally world for $1)
- changing directions and riding toward the dog
- stopping and ignoring the dog
- stopping and telling the dog to go home in a firm, commanding voice.
- mace if I felt the dog was intent on doing bodily harm

If it happened with the same dog frequently, I would figure out where the dog lived and notify animal control.

 Quote:

I want to psych dogs out so they leave me alone.

This usually happens by taking charge of the situation - dogs can sense a person that is in charge of things. But you can't do it if you're scared of dogs or hate them.

As far as the why do you keep them if they can be dangerous, well that is a whole 'nuther discussion. It is akin to asking why people drive cars because they cause so many deaths every year. But trust me, millions of dogs live happily with their families. You just hear about the .00001% that have issues

Has he ever been bitten while riding?

I think Michal should use these dog chases as an opportunity to better his lack of sprinting skills, down shift a couple gears and out ride the dog great for training.

I used cycling as 1 of my training routines to win 7 motocross championships and had many dog chases lucky never bitten but would always be able to out sprint the dogs I encountered maybe I just got lucky.

I also think counseling for his Michael's fear would help him best, digging deep might find his anger and hatred toward dogs has nothing to do with dogs at all but with his parents who wouldn't let him have a dog he so desired as a child.

Instead of trying to harm the dog, who is bored and wants some excitement and likes to to chase you could use can of compressed air that makes load noise or a compressed air horn would psych the dog better than a gun.
The gun won't psych out the dog he doesn't know the difference between a 38, 9mm or a 45cal, so unless you cycle with a 107 howitzer it won't work.

But seeing your best advise was "get a gun" you could use it to shoot the person who gave you that advise then yourself, lol.





Some of the best advice I have gotten was "get a gun"

OP said
"I have seen pit bulls shot in the brain with 9mms and .38s and still keep going. I've seen a pit bull shot in the chest with .45s and not stay down, though it did stop its attack. I want to psych dogs out so they leave me alone."


Unless this OP is Michael Vick or belongs to a weird pit killing swat team of some sort I call bullshit on the post.

I totally agree Bob.

Seen pits shot with 3 different calibers, written in a manner that shows plural on all calibers?

Maybe he "read" it somewhere and confused that with actually seeing it.

Sounds like somebody is a little dramatic.

Wear tiger urine on you OP. Supposedly dogs don't like the smell of that. If you wear enough , dogs will leave you alone.

Well Jokes aside, the best way is to have a camera and a pepper spray. Take pictures of dogs that bother you and report them to the authorities so that you can get rid of the problem and also do the right thing.