I was attacked by a dog on a group ride a few weeks ago. Unlike the encounters you had, this dog silently approached from the side and bit me in the lower leg. I had to be treated in the emergency room twice - the second time because of an infection. There wasn't much that I could do. The dog was on me before I could react. The owners were very nice, but the Sherriff's office in Fauquier County, VA charged them with "Dangerous Dog", and they have to pay my medical expenses. Small consolation since I was not able to ride for 3 weeks.
Hi Andy, very sorry to hear this. I have ridden the roads in your county extensively, no dog issues, I may have gotten lucky. Hope you are recovering well.
Dogs should be on a leash. I got chased the other day on my e-mountainbike. I was able to outrun the beast. Scary though. It didnt seem friendly at all
@@tonyastrom7757 Usually if the dog is barking he'll not bite, he just wants to scare you off. If he wants to bite he'll take full advantage of a surprise attack.
I was once chased by a dog 🐕. While chasing me the 🐕 made some erratic move towards the center of the roadway and got run over by a car. I'm sure the 🐕 owner would have blamed me; so I kept going...
Thanks JOM! Dogs are one of my greatest concerns on roads I haven't traveled or don't know much about. Had them snapping at my heel, but I haven't been bitten by or hit a dog. I've discovered they are usually more aggressive (bolder) when there is more than 1 dog. The scariest situation for me is when I see them crouched and waiting on you to come by.
It does seem like sometimes one dog is trying to show off in front of the others. "I'm the badass here. Watch me scare the shit out of the hooman. Did you see that!? Wuff wuff wuf. Yeah. You call yourselves dogs? Wuff wuff wuf."
This is true. When they are in a small pack they are much more aggressive and seem to feed off each other's excitement. Around where I live it is very rural and they aren't always at a house. More often they come out of a farm field or ditch when I'm not expecting it. A couple years ago I was riding near home and my neighbor's huge hound dog came charging out of a field and almost got me. Scared me to death and I almost crashed. A couple weeks later he came up from behind and I didn't know he was there until his mouth was wrapped around my knee. His tooth got caught under my tendon on the outside of my knee and it really hurt. They saw it happen and did nothing. I haven't seen him since though. He was old and must have died.
Apparently you have never met Bruno. He is a pitbull type of dog that lives at the top of a long steep loose gravel climb. He has sent at least two riders to the ER this year and his owners have not bothered to contain him. Dogs like Bruno are a good reason to carry pepper spray or some other deterrent
Thanks for broaching the subject GC. I like how you respond to the dogs. It may be 1 or 2 dogs out of 100 that are going to bite, but I do think it’s worth carrying dog spray (esp when riding solo)
The problem is that you can't read their minds. When I've been bitten, they seemed like they just wanted to chase. I don't fool around anymore. I spray any aggressive dog who leaves his property and comes out to chase me. I just can't afford to be injured. I've had expensive cycling pants ripped and I've almost gone over the handlebars a couple of times.
I've never had a dog chase me on my bike, but have been approached by a coyote on the local paved trail that runs next to a wilderness park. I kept cycling hoping he wouldn't intercept me, but for a moment there it seemed like he might. Passed by him with about 15 feet to spare. Kept looking back to make sure he wasn't following. Yikes!
A friend here in Texas will turn into them and it totally throws off their game. He says it is like standing up to the bully and they don't know what to do. Seems to work.
I do that. I aim right at their head and sprint full gas. It throws off their ability to judge your distance and speed. They will often stop dead in their tracks when you do that. I still carry Halt spray though. I’ve used it to turn away a few potential killers. A friend of mine was mauled by a loose pit bull. He spent two weeks in hospital, and can no longer play guitar or piano. He’s a music teacher. I have no problem spraying a dog to keep myself from the same fate.
The ones I worry about are the larger dogs who don't bark because it slows them down. Seriously though, years ago on a club ride we had a dog chase us that did not quit. It was not aggressive but did not turn around. We tried stopping in case it got bored.. but no. After a long way from his home, we flagged down a police car who returned the dog home. More recently, I got off and walked through a isolated intersection of gravel roads so as to not provoke two dogs waiting on the road. I kept my bike between me and them until I was past their property. I used to have a mixed breed who loved to run beside my bike, on lead in case of squirrels. Some thought I was being cruel forcing him to run but it was the only way to let him stretch his legs. Once in an open field in winter he almost caught someone on a passing skidoo!
Today I was chased by two pit bulls within a quarter mile and I hadn't gotten even a mile from home. I started to turn around to get my bear spray right after leaving the house but thought naw, I'm only going a few miles. 30 seconds later a pitbull came out of nowhere and was on me before I knew it. A couple hundred yards after that a pitbull and a german shepard came running at me. I was yelling at them and the owner came out. I had been attacked by one of his dogs in Sept. 22 and almost went down in a patch of sand trying to avoid him. I told the homeowner that the next time I was going to spray the dog and that I was tired of being molested. I got bitten twice in a two week period a couple of years ago and decided to get some bear spray. Today's dogs were bad enough but the owner of the dog got in his pickup and came chasing me. He swerved at me going at least 50 miles an hour and he swerved so hard that he fish-tailed 20 ft. in front of me and almost rolled. I wish he had. It took him 3/8 mile to get his truck under control and he turned around and came at me again. I tried to get the license plate but I only got part. I got up off the road and onto the edge of a farm field because I really thought I was going to get hurt. He pulled over and yelled something at me. I told him I had his face and license number and I was calling the sheriff. He took off in a cloud of dust. I called the sheriff but without a license number, he could do nothing. The homeowner said he didn't know who was driving the truck, which was a lie, it was his son. I'm getting a set of cycliq cameras and a side-mounted GoPro and next time I'm pressing charges. this was on a remote rural road where I live, less than a mile from home. The guy told the sheriff that he was frustrated because he said I should just use a different road. I pretty much have to ride past his house to go anywhere and next time I'm going to be loaded for bear, literally. I usually always have it with me in a holster on my handlebars but I left it on my gravel bike and didn't feel like riding back to get it. I've used 4 cans of bear spray in the last couple of years and I try really hard not to have to use it because it is really expensive and I don't want to hurt dogs, I like dogs, and they are just following their instincts. It's the homeowner who is the problem. They usually laugh when they see their dogs chasing me until they see the can come out that is. Then they get really interested in calling the dogs back. By that time it's usually too late and the dog is rubbing his face in the dirt. It works every time. On almost every ride I have to pull it out though I don't always use it. It's amazing the transformation that takes place when the owner sees that can come out of the holster. Two friends of mine were seriously injured when a blue healer wrecked them both. One broke his collar bone and the other had a big laceration on his elbow and his hip.
I ride on rural roads at night here in Texas to avoid traffic. I have been taken down twice by dogs but never bitten. Sudden dog encounters in the dark of night can get your blood pressure up. This was a very good video.
I recently moved to Turkey. The numerous street dogs in cities and larger towns never even give cyclists a look - and would be put down quickly if they ever did show any aggression. Smaller towns and countryside, both owned and strays are a nightmare. Particularly farm and sheep dogs. You really can't ride at or after dusk in 'hostile' territory. You're bound to have bad incidents if you do. My full length top tube bag is now 20% tools, 10% emergency rations, 70% anti-dog stuff (2 x ultrasonic blasters and CS Gas). I'll add a cattle prod under the top tube too if I'm able to do so legally, as a last resort. It's a shame, because gravel would be epic if not for the dog issues ... and so many people I meet here say that they stopped hiking / biking because of dangerous dogs. Here as elsewhere, it will unfortunately continue to be an issue until a zero tolerance approach is adopted to confining and controlling dogs.
The Turkish country dogs are all enormous guard dogs too,Like Kangals and Anatolians You need a gun to stop them! I agree it is a shame and takes the fun out of riding!
I love dogs. But I’ve had some really scary encounters with very aggressive dogs. And caused me to crash badly in one case. It’s one aspect of cycling that I wish there was a better solution for. The water bottle trick works sometimes, but other times the dogs just get angrier
Thanks for chiming in. I've had one serious accident, on pavement, involving three dogs that ran into a group of us tottering along down the road at a decent clip. I ended up t-boning one of them, flipped over the handlebars, ultimately smoking my helmet, which undoubtedly saved my life. Result = concussion + broken clavicle, dog was just fine. I do enjoy the slower pace of gravelly road riding, even if it does mean more dog encounters.
I have 2 that chase me nearly every time I ride by. Today I got off and petted them both without being bitten. On my way back through they gave chase again. It is in a dog's nature to chase.
I learned in Carretera Austral, Chile, to keep one arm hight and the dog think you're bigger than you really are. And there's a big big dogs in the farms over the route. It work out.
In the days of the frame-mounted pump, I would sometimes give the dog a whap on the head if I thought they were being too aggressive. That always shocked them and gave you a window of opportunity to escape. But sure enough, this action would always redouble their efforts to chase/terrorize you so the sprint was ON!
I have found that pepper spray works 100 percent of the time. It's always the same. I don't spray them directly but spray a cloud and let them run into it. They stop so fast that they almost flip over and then they are too busy rubbing their faces in the dirt to chase me more.
Been bit by a dog whilst riding. Cattle dog which apparently has a bad reputation for attacking cyclists. Now I am just scared of dogs when I ride but I do like them when not on the bike.
We've had so many serious accidents here in the mountains of North Carolina. One friend had to get major surgery due to the severity of the dog bite another had a dog take out his front wheel on a steep downhill and had a long Hospital stay. Another was attacked and crashed and had a broken hip. So I am highly sensitized to the dangers of dogs. Another was bitten on a 1200k ride and had to go through the rabies shots.
Thank you for chiming in. One of my local area mates was taken out by an NC dog, somewhere near Banner Elk if I recall correctly. He was descending on pavement at the time, frame destroyed, dog not to be found afterward, broken ankle for him :( Barring a change in the laws, and those are difficult to enforce, loose dogs are an issue in many parts of the USA. I mentioned this in another comment in this thread, I was a crash victim involving three dogs many years ago on the pavement.
@@GravelCyclist there is very little recourse. Had a cyclist rights lawyer speak at our club event...she said report it to sheriff and animal control. You can be out $$$$$ in medical, seldom is the dog owner accountable in any way.
Mr gravel cyclist thank you for this compilation. I recently rode with a rider from Kansas who said personal tasers are great (in States they are legal). Just the sound of the taser makes the dogs run away.
Just last Sunday, I was chased by a German Short-haired Pointer in the country road near the Finger Lakes in NY. It was so big and fast, my varia (garmin rear radar) picked it with red alert. I swirled few times to avoid contact with the dog then yelled 'hey!' as loud as I could. Luckly it worked. My repeated yelling startled him and he stopped chasing. This dog looked to be 60 to 70 lbs. There was no way for me to get away if he decided to attack me. Next time, I am going to carry a dog spray just to be safe.
Water bottle spray in the general direction works every time for me. Squeeze hard enough to Spatter or mist and dogs sense of smell throws them to retreat or long enough for you to get away.
Most of my conversations with dogs are pretty one sided too lol. On rides I'm mostly worried about the small dogs, I can never tell when they will suddenly cross in front of me
Had that happen with a old giant lab once. I was on a bike path and riding up behind a woman and her lab. Someone was coming the other way and the dog decided to head over there and check them out. I think the dog outweighed the woman holding its leash by about 20 lbs, so there was just no way for her to hold the dog back. Almost drove straight into the dog.
It's all fun and games, until you get hurt, or worse. My opinion is, pepper spray any dog, that approaches you. Not only will it protect you, but will train the dog not to do that in future, and therefore protect others too. And discouraging dogs from being in the street/road, will help keep them from getting run over. Imagine a world, where dogs are more afraid of you, than you are of them. It was a cat, that ran from behind a house, directly under my front tire, before I could react, that laid me low. I am still surprised, at how fast it happened, and how devastating the results were. There is something weird, in an animals brain, that makes them do something, a human would never do, or expect. To run as hard and fast as possible, to get under a moving vehicles tires. Same goes with kids, and some adults. To give myself the best odds of survival, I always slow down, and stop, when I see an animal, or child, anywhere in my field of vision. I never assume, they will do what is logical. Unfortunately, they can appear and move so quickly, you don't have time to react. That is when driving slow, and wearing protective gear, is your last/best defense.
After being bitten twice that is my policy. I use the bear spray because it shoots out 20 ft. and creates a 4 or 5 ft. wide cloud. With regular mace they have to get close and they usually get a much bigger dose right in the face. It is $50 a can though and I'm on my 4th can. I don't want to hurt them but you're right, it trains them not to chase. I've only had one dog come back for a second dose.
Been bitten twice. Once about a 35 lbs dog grabbed my leg, shook him off, puncture wounds. Last year a pit bull tied by what looked like close line broke loose and grabbed my foot shaking it .I was on one of my junkier bikes and was hitting him with the bike. He let loose and was still trying to get me. I was still using the bike for defense. The owner eventually came out or it might have been a fight to the death. My next move was to try to choke him out. Wasn't a serious ride ,just wearing clogs. Foot was messed up, very painful. I like dogs ,just not hanging on my leg. I hope I never have to use it but I don't ride anywhere without my k-bar knife on my side. Don't want it to happen but I am not wrestling around the road, I will end it quickly. I have had many encounters where dogs bark or even run with you, I don't have a problem with that.
There are three approaches I’ve seen riders use without getting off the bike. They seem equally effective. 1. The friendly approach used in this video 2. Yelling at the dog in a mean voice and using your authority (my approach) and 3. Squiring water in the face with bottles. I take the mean/yelling approach because I want them to know I am in charge and not messing around. I’ve gotten off my bike a few times and really dressed them down. Once they know I am the alpha, that pretty much defused the situation. I also don’t carry mace bc I don’t want to hurt the dog, but to each their own. But I have witnessed the engagement method in this video as also being effective, in my experience at least.
Had the doggo encounter yesterday. Lucky the old guy just wanted to bark. Too old and overweight to run (just like me). No BS, keep the rubber side down.
All the flashback to the HoneyBee Stinger...that Rotty and Spaniel scared the crap out of me when I didn't see them until the last minute charging in from the left on a group of us.
Lady next county over from me had her leg tore off by three pits. She almost died. A passing car saved her shot the dogs and rushed her to the hospital. I was attacked by one pit I was lucky I kept my bike between us and he got bored with me. I carry a stun gun and a air horn, and a gun just in case. I like my legs.
Fun video for a Friday AM JOM. However, my pup heard these dogs barking and proceeded to start barking herself waking up the house. And as for The Pro's Closet, sold some road wheels to them earlier in 2021. Super easy, fast and great to deal with. Cheers!
Here in Russia riders use mace and FLASHBANG pistols to scare these angry fleabags in the park. (Lots of strays in the cities) Me on the other hand. I work like this... If you bark at me. I will bark back with a very bossy F%^K OFF. That usually gets the message across.
Funny, I've found that most will leave you alone if you stop and get off the bike. However, there are some can be very aggressive as mentioned in another comment. My favorite were a couple Dobermans in Rhode Island. They were on my way home from work in North Smithfield if I'm not mistaken. I would whistle at them as I approached the house and they would come out running. The two of them could hold about 24 mph for about 100 yards. There was one (Pitbull) recently in Sheldon Connecticut that grabbed my tool bag in his jaws. He didn't hold on for long and if he had he would have brought me down.
@@GravelCyclist that's the only one that ever really scared me. I was riding up hill, one of the first outdoor rides I was able to make that year due to winter so I wasn't very quick. I've been in Brazil since April and there are allot of dogs in this area. Most of them stop dead in their tracks if you stop and get off the bike though. I do enjoy a gravel sprint every once in while.
Report him and the dog to the sheriff’s office. File a report each time his dog attacks. After enough reports are filed, animal control will pick up the vicious dog. Better the dog gets put down than you. A friend of mine was mauled by a loose pit bull. He spent weeks in hospital and his life has been changed drastically. He’s lost much of the use of both hands to his defensive wounds. He is a musician and a music teacher who can no longer play piano or guitar because of an irresponsible pet owner and a breed of dog that should not even exist.
It's great that you haven't been bitten though I wouldn't take that for granted. I haven't had any problems with 99% of dogs, but had one situation where a german shepherd silently rushed straight for my leg as I was passing not far from a homeless encampment. I was able to dissuade it by kicking it on the snout as it lunged in after catching up with me. It then went around and attacked from the other side. I was again able to connect with my heal to the nose and it backed off enough for me to sprint away. I consider myself lucky and since carry an air horn and pepper gel spray in case air horn fails. I've been bitten before (off the bike) and no interest in getting stitches again.
Forgive me if I'm wrong, when I was living in Oz, there were tough laws about fencing your dog inside the property, etc. I had just one dog interaction in Oz in the years I rode / lived there.
In Ohio (US) law states that a dog must be controlled by its owner at all times, whether on a leash or contained in a fenced area. If not, the owner can be charged fines ranging from $75-$250 dollars for first offense. Additional offenses can induce jail time. However, the enforcement of the law is another story. Law requires video or witness proof and that's not always easy, especially if you ride without a cam. I suggest everyone ride and record their trips as a backup in case you are bitten and require medical treatment. The owner's homeowner's insurance should cover that if found guilty, but you'll need video/witness evidence of course. Hit the owners in the pocketbooks a few times they might take their responsibility a little more serious. It's not the dog's fault, it's the owners. Dogs like to chase, protect property, play, run...it's just their instinct. Can't fault the dogs.
Bottom line is that dog on any trail, no exception is required by law to be on a 6’ leash. Dog owners that allow their dogs to run and S#!+ on the trails don’t care about the law or the well being of you or their pets. BTW these are the same people that don’t clean up after their dog thus violating public health laws. I have hit multiple dogs off leash on single track with the irresponsible owner nowhere near the dog. You can’t see dogs because they’re small and fast. The violent aggressive dogs are a liability and I tell the owner that if I get bite or injured falling off my bike because of their dog guess who’s paying for the medical bills and damages? It happens way too often.
It's really bad in the country. Everyone has several and they are just allowed to chase cars all day. They usually get hit because most pickups are pulling a trailer and that gets them from behind. They just get new dogs and let them do the same thing. When a slow cyclist comes along and it's game on. I can usually tell which houses are dangerous. If they look like a junkyard there are almost always three or four aggressive dogs, usually pit bulls around here.
Biggest issue I have had is dogs taking out my front wheel, One case was a dog running beside me, he looked to his right and veered left into my front wheel, He wasn't being aggressive, just not the smartest dog. Another was doing the lay in wait and launched himself into a group of 9 or 10 riders and I had the choice of taking out 3 friends or T-boning the dog. As usual, I was thrown to the pavement and the bike was tossed gently into the tall cushy grass beside the road.
If this is the Dirk I know well, ask Mike Gamble or Todd about the Monteocha roadie crash involving yours truly and a t-boned dog. Dog was fine, my clavicle, not so much.
Best carry a very powerful stun cane and stun hand held device....several of them...they should be scared off from just the sound of it ...or if they come it contact in the future the sound should stop them from even looking at you..
Have you ever had to stop and keep the bicycle between yourself and the dog? I have since the dog got right in front trying to bite my front wheel. I was afraid he would either cause a flat or get tangled up and crash the bike. It took about 5 minutes of waiting and the dog got bored and walked home.
I had a big redboned hound one time and I got off the bike and he was really trying to get around to get me. He was so big that his head was at the seat level when he was coming at me. Scared me really bad and I was shaking all the way home. He had to be close to a hundred pounds. As big as a Great Dane.
@@GravelCyclist not cool…had previously bought several framesets…tried recently(6 weeks ago)…wouldn’t even facilitate me organising a pickup from Bikeflights…massive backward step imho….
I do the same if it's daytime, but it's different when night time. You have to get bossy mode in night time on really really angry ones or ignore mode for others who are just doing defensive barks. Would love to hear your inputs when it's night time.
You guys need to carry a STUN Cane....across your handlebars....and maybe make up a stun device to wrap around your calf...if those dogs ever get a taste of a stun...the sound will do the trick after that..
Having grown un in Colorado and now lived all over the place I can say that my largest fear is mountain lions and firmly in second place is a badly behaved dog. Also, surprised to see so many encounters in the USA. I have tons of encounters in Europe and Africa but very few when riding in the USA.
Don’t they have leash laws where you ride? You might carry some bear spray in your handlebar bag! I’ve been taken down by a dog. He ran straight into my front wheel. Dogs are no joke! They can be quite dangerous! I have made calls to animal control. Even in rural areas people are obligated to keep their dogs confined.
@@GravelCyclist Yeah, in most rural areas they aren't in force or aren't enforced. My area is really, really bad. There's a house every half mile and almost all have naughty dogs but they don't like me much anymore. They get killed by cars though and they get new dogs that have to learn the hard way not to chase me. I absolutely hate it. I almost don't want to ride anymore.
@@GravelCyclist Playing with fire. Have you ever been bitten? Not fun. Riding 50 miles back with a bite (or two) is unpleasant. Use a loud air horn and have bear spray. Far better to have and not need than to need and not have.
Hey Lee, I understand your point. I admit I've been very lucky and put the bike between myself and any aggressive dogs I've had the misfortune of encountering. Honestly, I wish owners would take responsibility for their dogs, and keep them behind a fenced property, vs running loose, or chaining up. In my Aussie homeland, I believe it is law to keep your dog fenced.
I have not been as fortunate, twice. Aside from riding back bleeding and sore, the stitches and tetanus shots are no fun. I now ride with an air horn and spray. I use the horn first and it has worked like a charm. Anyway, ride on!
Bear spray is actually more humane. It sprays 20 ft. and forms a nice wide cloud. I just spray and let the dogs run into the cloud rather than spray them in the face at close range. It never fails. It's the owners that need to be sprayed. They are 100% the problem. I've sprayed many a dog within feet of the owner who is just laughing at first. When they see that can come out their attitude changes right quick.
I was attacked by a dog on a group ride a few weeks ago. Unlike the encounters you had, this dog silently approached from the side and bit me in the lower leg. I had to be treated in the emergency room twice - the second time because of an infection. There wasn't much that I could do. The dog was on me before I could react. The owners were very nice, but the Sherriff's office in Fauquier County, VA charged them with "Dangerous Dog", and they have to pay my medical expenses. Small consolation since I was not able to ride for 3 weeks.
Hi Andy, very sorry to hear this. I have ridden the roads in your county extensively, no dog issues, I may have gotten lucky. Hope you are recovering well.
Dogs should be on a leash. I got chased the other day on my e-mountainbike. I was able to outrun the beast. Scary though. It didnt seem friendly at all
@@tonyastrom7757 Usually if the dog is barking he'll not bite, he just wants to scare you off. If he wants to bite he'll take full advantage of a surprise attack.
"I thought you said your dog doesn't bite? . . . That's not my dog . . . " LOL -
The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)
I was once chased by a dog 🐕. While chasing me the 🐕 made some erratic move towards the center of the roadway and got run over by a car. I'm sure the 🐕 owner would have blamed me; so I kept going...
💜 a happy ending 👍
Thanks JOM! Dogs are one of my greatest concerns on roads I haven't traveled or don't know much about. Had them snapping at my heel, but I haven't been bitten by or hit a dog. I've discovered they are usually more aggressive (bolder) when there is more than 1 dog. The scariest situation for me is when I see them crouched and waiting on you to come by.
It does seem like sometimes one dog is trying to show off in front of the others. "I'm the badass here. Watch me scare the shit out of the hooman. Did you see that!? Wuff wuff wuf. Yeah. You call yourselves dogs? Wuff wuff wuf."
This is true. When they are in a small pack they are much more aggressive and seem to feed off each other's excitement. Around where I live it is very rural and they aren't always at a house. More often they come out of a farm field or ditch when I'm not expecting it. A couple years ago I was riding near home and my neighbor's huge hound dog came charging out of a field and almost got me. Scared me to death and I almost crashed. A couple weeks later he came up from behind and I didn't know he was there until his mouth was wrapped around my knee. His tooth got caught under my tendon on the outside of my knee and it really hurt. They saw it happen and did nothing. I haven't seen him since though. He was old and must have died.
A small air horn works surprisingly well also.
Apparently you have never met Bruno. He is a pitbull type of dog that lives at the top of a long steep loose gravel climb. He has sent at least two riders to the ER this year and his owners have not bothered to contain him. Dogs like Bruno are a good reason to carry pepper spray or some other deterrent
My dog warden told me pepper stray is worthless a stun gun is best
Thanks for broaching the subject GC. I like how you respond to the dogs. It may be 1 or 2 dogs out of 100 that are going to bite, but I do think it’s worth carrying dog spray (esp when riding solo)
The problem is that you can't read their minds. When I've been bitten, they seemed like they just wanted to chase. I don't fool around anymore. I spray any aggressive dog who leaves his property and comes out to chase me. I just can't afford to be injured. I've had expensive cycling pants ripped and I've almost gone over the handlebars a couple of times.
I've never had a dog chase me on my bike, but have been approached by a coyote on the local paved trail that runs next to a wilderness park. I kept cycling hoping he wouldn't intercept me, but for a moment there it seemed like he might. Passed by him with about 15 feet to spare. Kept looking back to make sure he wasn't following. Yikes!
A friend here in Texas will turn into them and it totally throws off their game. He says it is like standing up to the bully and they don't know what to do. Seems to work.
I do that. I aim right at their head and sprint full gas. It throws off their ability to judge your distance and speed. They will often stop dead in their tracks when you do that. I still carry Halt spray though. I’ve used it to turn away a few potential killers. A friend of mine was mauled by a loose pit bull. He spent two weeks in hospital, and can no longer play guitar or piano. He’s a music teacher. I have no problem spraying a dog to keep myself from the same fate.
The ones I worry about are the larger dogs who don't bark because it slows them down. Seriously though, years ago on a club ride we had a dog chase us that did not quit. It was not aggressive but did not turn around. We tried stopping in case it got bored.. but no. After a long way from his home, we flagged down a police car who returned the dog home. More recently, I got off and walked through a isolated intersection of gravel roads so as to not provoke two dogs waiting on the road. I kept my bike between me and them until I was past their property.
I used to have a mixed breed who loved to run beside my bike, on lead in case of squirrels. Some thought I was being cruel forcing him to run but it was the only way to let him stretch his legs. Once in an open field in winter he almost caught someone on a passing skidoo!
People need to be responsible for their animals regardless of where they live. Sorry to see you have had so many bad experiences. 😢
Awesome video! I can relate on bikes and motorcycles. Those little dogs always bow up the most! LOL
-Dog starts chasing me
-"Oh fuck im dead"
-
-Dog chases him
-"Your out of shape"
Today I was chased by two pit bulls within a quarter mile and I hadn't gotten even a mile from home. I started to turn around to get my bear spray right after leaving the house but thought naw, I'm only going a few miles. 30 seconds later a pitbull came out of nowhere and was on me before I knew it. A couple hundred yards after that a pitbull and a german shepard came running at me. I was yelling at them and the owner came out. I had been attacked by one of his dogs in Sept. 22 and almost went down in a patch of sand trying to avoid him. I told the homeowner that the next time I was going to spray the dog and that I was tired of being molested. I got bitten twice in a two week period a couple of years ago and decided to get some bear spray. Today's dogs were bad enough but the owner of the dog got in his pickup and came chasing me. He swerved at me going at least 50 miles an hour and he swerved so hard that he fish-tailed 20 ft. in front of me and almost rolled. I wish he had. It took him 3/8 mile to get his truck under control and he turned around and came at me again. I tried to get the license plate but I only got part. I got up off the road and onto the edge of a farm field because I really thought I was going to get hurt. He pulled over and yelled something at me. I told him I had his face and license number and I was calling the sheriff. He took off in a cloud of dust. I called the sheriff but without a license number, he could do nothing. The homeowner said he didn't know who was driving the truck, which was a lie, it was his son. I'm getting a set of cycliq cameras and a side-mounted GoPro and next time I'm pressing charges. this was on a remote rural road where I live, less than a mile from home. The guy told the sheriff that he was frustrated because he said I should just use a different road. I pretty much have to ride past his house to go anywhere and next time I'm going to be loaded for bear, literally. I usually always have it with me in a holster on my handlebars but I left it on my gravel bike and didn't feel like riding back to get it. I've used 4 cans of bear spray in the last couple of years and I try really hard not to have to use it because it is really expensive and I don't want to hurt dogs, I like dogs, and they are just following their instincts. It's the homeowner who is the problem. They usually laugh when they see their dogs chasing me until they see the can come out that is. Then they get really interested in calling the dogs back. By that time it's usually too late and the dog is rubbing his face in the dirt. It works every time. On almost every ride I have to pull it out though I don't always use it. It's amazing the transformation that takes place when the owner sees that can come out of the holster.
Two friends of mine were seriously injured when a blue healer wrecked them both. One broke his collar bone and the other had a big laceration on his elbow and his hip.
I ride on rural roads at night here in Texas to avoid traffic. I have been taken down twice by dogs but never bitten. Sudden dog encounters in the dark of night can get your blood pressure up. This was a very good video.
Absolutely spot on about night encounters. I have been surprised many times by sneaky dogs with nothing better to do.
I recently moved to Turkey. The numerous street dogs in cities and larger towns never even give cyclists a look - and would be put down quickly if they ever did show any aggression. Smaller towns and countryside, both owned and strays are a nightmare. Particularly farm and sheep dogs. You really can't ride at or after dusk in 'hostile' territory. You're bound to have bad incidents if you do. My full length top tube bag is now 20% tools, 10% emergency rations, 70% anti-dog stuff (2 x ultrasonic blasters and CS Gas). I'll add a cattle prod under the top tube too if I'm able to do so legally, as a last resort. It's a shame, because gravel would be epic if not for the dog issues ... and so many people I meet here say that they stopped hiking / biking because of dangerous dogs. Here as elsewhere, it will unfortunately continue to be an issue until a zero tolerance approach is adopted to confining and controlling dogs.
The Turkish country dogs are all enormous guard dogs too,Like Kangals and Anatolians You need a gun to stop them! I agree it is a shame and takes the fun out of riding!
GC, you are much more patient than I am!
I love dogs. But I’ve had some really scary encounters with very aggressive dogs. And caused me to crash badly in one case. It’s one aspect of cycling that I wish there was a better solution for. The water bottle trick works sometimes, but other times the dogs just get angrier
Thanks for chiming in. I've had one serious accident, on pavement, involving three dogs that ran into a group of us tottering along down the road at a decent clip. I ended up t-boning one of them, flipped over the handlebars, ultimately smoking my helmet, which undoubtedly saved my life. Result = concussion + broken clavicle, dog was just fine. I do enjoy the slower pace of gravelly road riding, even if it does mean more dog encounters.
I have 2 that chase me nearly every time I ride by. Today I got off and petted them both without being bitten. On my way back through they gave chase again. It is in a dog's nature to chase.
Ironically the Rottweiler is super friendly
I learned in Carretera Austral, Chile, to keep one arm hight and the dog think you're bigger than you really are. And there's a big big dogs in the farms over the route. It work out.
In the days of the frame-mounted pump, I would sometimes give the dog a whap on the head if I thought they were being too aggressive. That always shocked them and gave you a window of opportunity to escape. But sure enough, this action would always redouble their efforts to chase/terrorize you so the sprint was ON!
A water bottle sprayed in the face usually breaks off the chase for me.
I have found that pepper spray works 100 percent of the time. It's always the same. I don't spray them directly but spray a cloud and let them run into it. They stop so fast that they almost flip over and then they are too busy rubbing their faces in the dirt to chase me more.
Been bit by a dog whilst riding. Cattle dog which apparently has a bad reputation for attacking cyclists. Now I am just scared of dogs when I ride but I do like them when not on the bike.
I can see you love dogs, and know how to talk to them👍
I use an electric dog whistle I bought from Amazon. It’s a great harmless deterrent.
Excellent idea, thanks for your comment.
This is my dawgs fav youtube ever, high praise. A squirt from the water bottle deters 90% of chasing K9s
We've had so many serious accidents here in the mountains of North Carolina. One friend had to get major surgery due to the severity of the dog bite another had a dog take out his front wheel on a steep downhill and had a long Hospital stay. Another was attacked and crashed and had a broken hip. So I am highly sensitized to the dangers of dogs. Another was bitten on a 1200k ride and had to go through the rabies shots.
Thank you for chiming in. One of my local area mates was taken out by an NC dog, somewhere near Banner Elk if I recall correctly. He was descending on pavement at the time, frame destroyed, dog not to be found afterward, broken ankle for him :( Barring a change in the laws, and those are difficult to enforce, loose dogs are an issue in many parts of the USA. I mentioned this in another comment in this thread, I was a crash victim involving three dogs many years ago on the pavement.
@@GravelCyclist there is very little recourse. Had a cyclist rights lawyer speak at our club event...she said report it to sheriff and animal control. You can be out $$$$$ in medical, seldom is the dog owner accountable in any way.
Mr gravel cyclist thank you for this compilation. I recently rode with a rider from Kansas who said personal tasers are great (in States they are legal). Just the sound of the taser makes the dogs run away.
Just last Sunday, I was chased by a German Short-haired Pointer in the country road near the Finger Lakes in NY. It was so big and fast, my varia (garmin rear radar) picked it with red alert. I swirled few times to avoid contact with the dog then yelled 'hey!' as loud as I could. Luckly it worked. My repeated yelling startled him and he stopped chasing. This dog looked to be 60 to 70 lbs. There was no way for me to get away if he decided to attack me. Next time, I am going to carry a dog spray just to be safe.
Surely Shirley our back pockets can fit juicy sirloin steaks! Then again, have you seen those prices?
Mine are full of cameras and other bollocks!
@@GravelCyclist LOL That IS an appropriate use of "bullocks"!
Water bottle spray in the general direction works every time for me. Squeeze hard enough to Spatter or mist and dogs sense of smell throws them to retreat or long enough for you to get away.
Most of my conversations with dogs are pretty one sided too lol. On rides I'm mostly worried about the small dogs, I can never tell when they will suddenly cross in front of me
Had that happen with a old giant lab once. I was on a bike path and riding up behind a woman and her lab. Someone was coming the other way and the dog decided to head over there and check them out. I think the dog outweighed the woman holding its leash by about 20 lbs, so there was just no way for her to hold the dog back. Almost drove straight into the dog.
JOM doesn’t need to carry anything because all the dogs know he’s the ALPHA
Dogs are sneaky and they make cheeky moves
If the dogs get really aggresifs you can spray some water from your bottle to their face. That usually works and distracts them
Sweet retriever
It's all fun and games, until you get hurt, or worse.
My opinion is, pepper spray any dog, that approaches you.
Not only will it protect you, but will train the dog not to do that in future, and therefore protect others too.
And discouraging dogs from being in the street/road, will help keep them from getting run over.
Imagine a world, where dogs are more afraid of you, than you are of them.
It was a cat, that ran from behind a house, directly under my front tire, before I could react, that laid me low.
I am still surprised, at how fast it happened, and how devastating the results were.
There is something weird, in an animals brain, that makes them do something, a human would never do, or expect.
To run as hard and fast as possible, to get under a moving vehicles tires. Same goes with kids, and some adults.
To give myself the best odds of survival, I always slow down, and stop, when I see an animal, or child, anywhere in my field of vision.
I never assume, they will do what is logical.
Unfortunately, they can appear and move so quickly, you don't have time to react.
That is when driving slow, and wearing protective gear, is your last/best defense.
After being bitten twice that is my policy. I use the bear spray because it shoots out 20 ft. and creates a 4 or 5 ft. wide cloud. With regular mace they have to get close and they usually get a much bigger dose right in the face. It is $50 a can though and I'm on my 4th can. I don't want to hurt them but you're right, it trains them not to chase. I've only had one dog come back for a second dose.
Been bitten twice. Once about a 35 lbs dog grabbed my leg, shook him off, puncture wounds. Last year a pit bull tied by what looked like close line broke loose and grabbed my foot shaking it .I was on one of my junkier bikes and was hitting him with the bike. He let loose and was still trying to get me. I was still using the bike for defense. The owner eventually came out or it might have been a fight to the death. My next move was to try to choke him out. Wasn't a serious ride ,just wearing clogs. Foot was messed up, very painful. I like dogs ,just not hanging on my leg. I hope I never have to use it but I don't ride anywhere without my k-bar knife on my side. Don't want it to happen but I am not wrestling around the road, I will end it quickly. I have had many encounters where dogs bark or even run with you, I don't have a problem with that.
There are three approaches I’ve seen riders use without getting off the bike. They seem equally effective. 1. The friendly approach used in this video 2. Yelling at the dog in a mean voice and using your authority (my approach) and 3. Squiring water in the face with bottles. I take the mean/yelling approach because I want them to know I am in charge and not messing around. I’ve gotten off my bike a few times and really dressed them down. Once they know I am the alpha, that pretty much defused the situation. I also don’t carry mace bc I don’t want to hurt the dog, but to each their own. But I have witnessed the engagement method in this video as also being effective, in my experience at least.
Here in Russia riders use mace and FLASHBANG pistols to scare these angry fleabags in the park. (Lots of strays in the cities)
Had the doggo encounter yesterday. Lucky the old guy just wanted to bark. Too old and overweight to run (just like me).
No BS, keep the rubber side down.
All the flashback to the HoneyBee Stinger...that Rotty and Spaniel scared the crap out of me when I didn't see them until the last minute charging in from the left on a group of us.
Yep, Honeybee Stinger. I suspect that duo had fun all day.
In germany we say: dogs that bark don't bite... 😁
That means the silent dogs bite without warning. Pretty terrifying
Here in Morocco too
3:03 ITZ CHOP BOIZZ!!
Lady next county over from me had her leg tore off by three pits. She almost died. A passing car saved her shot the dogs and rushed her to the hospital. I was attacked by one pit I was lucky I kept my bike between us and he got bored with me. I carry a stun gun and a air horn, and a gun just in case. I like my legs.
Definitely entertaining Jom...
the best video ever in cycling video
Fun video for a Friday AM JOM. However, my pup heard these dogs barking and proceeded to start barking herself waking up the house. And as for The Pro's Closet, sold some road wheels to them earlier in 2021. Super easy, fast and great to deal with. Cheers!
Morning! I had a feeling this video may trigger a few dogs within earshot. Oops :)
My main fear when being chased by a dog is they become at risk of being hit by a car.
Thankfully, this scenario doesn't happen too often on mixed-surface roads, but I've witnessed first-hand what you're speaking of on pavement :(
Here in Russia riders use mace and FLASHBANG pistols to scare these angry fleabags in the park. (Lots of strays in the cities) Me on the other hand. I work like this... If you bark at me. I will bark back with a very bossy F%^K OFF. That usually gets the message across.
Haha, the F__K Off message, very effective 😄👌
Funny, I've found that most will leave you alone if you stop and get off the bike. However, there are some can be very aggressive as mentioned in another comment. My favorite were a couple Dobermans in Rhode Island. They were on my way home from work in North Smithfield if I'm not mistaken. I would whistle at them as I approached the house and they would come out running. The two of them could hold about 24 mph for about 100 yards. There was one (Pitbull) recently in Sheldon Connecticut that grabbed my tool bag in his jaws. He didn't hold on for long and if he had he would have brought me down.
Yikes! I've had one or two Pitbull encounters, but naturally, no camera around.
@@GravelCyclist that's the only one that ever really scared me. I was riding up hill, one of the first outdoor rides I was able to make that year due to winter so I wasn't very quick. I've been in Brazil since April and there are allot of dogs in this area. Most of them stop dead in their tracks if you stop and get off the bike though. I do enjoy a gravel sprint every once in while.
I thought this problem is only in India... Too much stray dogs chasing electric vehicles
Very common encounter riding back country road. Couple of times I almost peed on my cycling short. Can’t out run them too.
One time we stopped, tried to reason with dog owner. He said "why do you come down my road when you know my dog is going to bite you?"
Geez.
Report him and the dog to the sheriff’s office. File a report each time his dog attacks. After enough reports are filed, animal control will pick up the vicious dog. Better the dog gets put down than you. A friend of mine was mauled by a loose pit bull. He spent weeks in hospital and his life has been changed drastically. He’s lost much of the use of both hands to his defensive wounds. He is a musician and a music teacher who can no longer play piano or guitar because of an irresponsible pet owner and a breed of dog that should not even exist.
@@prestachuck2867 "his road" is it? I've found that calling the sheriff does nothing. I just take care of it myself.
It's great that you haven't been bitten though I wouldn't take that for granted. I haven't had any problems with 99% of dogs, but had one situation where a german shepherd silently rushed straight for my leg as I was passing not far from a homeless encampment. I was able to dissuade it by kicking it on the snout as it lunged in after catching up with me. It then went around and attacked from the other side. I was again able to connect with my heal to the nose and it backed off enough for me to sprint away. I consider myself lucky and since carry an air horn and pepper gel spray in case air horn fails. I've been bitten before (off the bike) and no interest in getting stitches again.
These dogs are the DNA heirs of the dog car chasers that have always been a scourge in Aussie..
Forgive me if I'm wrong, when I was living in Oz, there were tough laws about fencing your dog inside the property, etc. I had just one dog interaction in Oz in the years I rode / lived there.
In Ohio (US) law states that a dog must be controlled by its owner at all times, whether on a leash or contained in a fenced area. If not, the owner can be charged fines ranging from $75-$250 dollars for first offense. Additional offenses can induce jail time. However, the enforcement of the law is another story. Law requires video or witness proof and that's not always easy, especially if you ride without a cam. I suggest everyone ride and record their trips as a backup in case you are bitten and require medical treatment. The owner's homeowner's insurance should cover that if found guilty, but you'll need video/witness evidence of course. Hit the owners in the pocketbooks a few times they might take their responsibility a little more serious. It's not the dog's fault, it's the owners. Dogs like to chase, protect property, play, run...it's just their instinct. Can't fault the dogs.
Thank you, I was unaware of this law in Ohio. In my Aussie homeland, similar story.
Bottom line is that dog on any trail, no exception is required by law to be on a 6’ leash. Dog owners that allow their dogs to run and S#!+ on the trails don’t care about the law or the well being of you or their pets. BTW these are the same people that don’t clean up after their dog thus violating public health laws.
I have hit multiple dogs off leash on single track with the irresponsible owner nowhere near the dog. You can’t see dogs because they’re small and fast. The violent aggressive dogs are a liability and I tell the owner that if I get bite or injured falling off my bike because of their dog guess who’s paying for the medical bills and damages?
It happens way too often.
It's really bad in the country. Everyone has several and they are just allowed to chase cars all day. They usually get hit because most pickups are pulling a trailer and that gets them from behind. They just get new dogs and let them do the same thing. When a slow cyclist comes along and it's game on. I can usually tell which houses are dangerous. If they look like a junkyard there are almost always three or four aggressive dogs, usually pit bulls around here.
good to know they dont usually bite
Biggest issue I have had is dogs taking out my front wheel, One case was a dog running beside me, he looked to his right and veered left into my front wheel, He wasn't being aggressive, just not the smartest dog. Another was doing the lay in wait and launched himself into a group of 9 or 10 riders and I had the choice of taking out 3 friends or T-boning the dog. As usual, I was thrown to the pavement and the bike was tossed gently into the tall cushy grass beside the road.
If this is the Dirk I know well, ask Mike Gamble or Todd about the Monteocha roadie crash involving yours truly and a t-boned dog. Dog was fine, my clavicle, not so much.
Best carry a very powerful stun cane and stun hand held device....several of them...they should be scared off from just the sound of it ...or if they come it contact in the future the sound should stop them from even looking at you..
thank you ,you r so good , i am very fear dogs
Man when then get real close I just reach down and give them two blasts from my water bottle.
Have you ever had to stop and keep the bicycle between yourself and the dog? I have since the dog got right in front trying to bite my front wheel. I was afraid he would either cause a flat or get tangled up and crash the bike. It took about 5 minutes of waiting and the dog got bored and walked home.
Not yet, but that is my plan should I encounter an overly aggressive dog.
I had a big redboned hound one time and I got off the bike and he was really trying to get around to get me. He was so big that his head was at the seat level when he was coming at me. Scared me really bad and I was shaking all the way home. He had to be close to a hundred pounds. As big as a Great Dane.
Pros Closet we’re heaps better before they sold out to a hedge fund…no shipping to Aus now…
That is a serious bummer.
@@GravelCyclist not cool…had previously bought several framesets…tried recently(6 weeks ago)…wouldn’t even facilitate me organising a pickup from Bikeflights…massive backward step imho….
I'll ping my contact about this, a lot of my Aussie mates have purchased from TPC in the past, I hope this can change. Thanks for chiming in.
I do the same if it's daytime, but it's different when night time. You have to get bossy mode in night time on really really angry ones or ignore mode for others who are just doing defensive barks.
Would love to hear your inputs when it's night time.
It helps me but I still think that I am not ready
Training with "Eddie".
You guys need to carry a STUN Cane....across your handlebars....and maybe make up a stun device to wrap around your calf...if those dogs ever get a taste of a stun...the sound will do the trick after that..
Having grown un in Colorado and now lived all over the place I can say that my largest fear is mountain lions and firmly in second place is a badly behaved dog.
Also, surprised to see so many encounters in the USA. I have tons of encounters in Europe and Africa but very few when riding in the USA.
Don’t they have leash laws where you ride? You might carry some bear spray in your handlebar bag! I’ve been taken down by a dog. He ran straight into my front wheel. Dogs are no joke! They can be quite dangerous! I have made calls to animal control. Even in rural areas people are obligated to keep their dogs confined.
Most of the encounters in this video happened in the SE USA, if there are leash laws, they are not enforced.
@@GravelCyclist Yeah, in most rural areas they aren't in force or aren't enforced. My area is really, really bad. There's a house every half mile and almost all have naughty dogs but they don't like me much anymore. They get killed by cars though and they get new dogs that have to learn the hard way not to chase me. I absolutely hate it. I almost don't want to ride anymore.
Have you really bitten by them? What happen if i spray them with bidon 😄?
Never been bitten, I have seen the water bottle trick used by others, further up the road.
What kind of a workout can you get when you have to keep stopping for dogs?
If you missed it, this was a compilation video. Worry about your workout, mine are just fine. Thanks.
Getting chased and chomped is no fun. You cant win. If you ride in suspect areas, get bear spray or a marine horn or both.
Or, treat dogs like I do 95% of the time. Slow down, don't play into their chase game, and engage with them.
@@GravelCyclist Playing with fire. Have you ever been bitten? Not fun. Riding 50 miles back with a bite (or two) is unpleasant. Use a loud air horn and have bear spray. Far better to have and not need than to need and not have.
Hey Lee, I understand your point. I admit I've been very lucky and put the bike between myself and any aggressive dogs I've had the misfortune of encountering. Honestly, I wish owners would take responsibility for their dogs, and keep them behind a fenced property, vs running loose, or chaining up. In my Aussie homeland, I believe it is law to keep your dog fenced.
I have not been as fortunate, twice. Aside from riding back bleeding and sore, the stitches and tetanus shots are no fun. I now ride with an air horn and spray. I use the horn first and it has worked like a charm. Anyway, ride on!
this is funny
I am a fan of riding to far places but these dogs just ruins the journey for me sometimes
No rabies in au, yiew.
air horns deter dogs without harming them.
Good suggestion.
yes, sh1t machines are a pain the the ar5e.
I would carry mace if not bear spray.
Totally unnecessary and cruel.
Bear spray is actually more humane. It sprays 20 ft. and forms a nice wide cloud. I just spray and let the dogs run into the cloud rather than spray them in the face at close range. It never fails. It's the owners that need to be sprayed. They are 100% the problem. I've sprayed many a dog within feet of the owner who is just laughing at first. When they see that can come out their attitude changes right quick.