How to stop dog attacks.

[Cubist]

@PaulB
Pepper spray and CS aren't that effective, not to say illegal, but you can buy Biteback which is pretty good.
http://www.vonwolfshop.co.uk/bite-back-spray-493-p.asp

In the good old days we found that a halon fire extinguisher was an excellent deterrent. Whether it was the discharge, or just the terrifying sound the discharge made through the horn on the extinguisher that shocked the dog so you could get away or get control is debatable.

 

[Hacienda71]

I fancy the French solution.

 

[pauldavid]

Easily sorted problem.

Pop to the local fancy dress shop and buy a dog costume, it'll need to be a proper job with enormous paws and head like a football mascot. Only ever go out on your bike in the dog suit!

From this day forward all dogs will think twice before attacking you, it's got something to do with their in built " don't attack enormous cycling dogs " behavioural reflex.

HTH

Oh, and do post a picture of you in your suit when you get it won't you?

 

[Nibor]

ultrasonic dog zapper? http://www.stressnomore.co.uk/scram...K_-pdYL1B7OMzJeUGCMmT09qN6o-rGJ5G4hoCryfw_wcB

 

[Crackle]

When I was running I never found a way. It wasn't so much attacks as over excited chase reflex. I finally solved it when I got my own dog and took him running. They chased him not me.

 

[John the Monkey]

When I was running I never found a way. It wasn't so much attacks as over excited chase reflex. I finally solved it when I got my own dog and took him running. They chased him not me.

No wonder he wears that helmet, poor fellow.

 

[Fnaar]

Richard's bicycle book issue 1:
Ram pump down dog's throat

 

[byegad]

Richard's bicycle book issue 1:
Ram pump down dog's throat

I've still got that edition! A refreshing attitude compared to our British 'love' of animals.

 

[Profpointy]

But a baseball bat would be better?

Probably not, as it would pre-empt a rough and tumble game, with you swinging the pit-bull

I've still got that edition! A refreshing attitude compared to our British 'love' of animals.

Don't really agree. It's basically bad advice or at least unhelpful. Whilst there are a few really serious dog attacks each year, it's probably not all that more than (UK) tiger attacks per year. Of course, if a dog does bite me, or try to bite me, I'd have no compunction of giving him a boot or worse, but this "killing a dog in self defence" thing is so out of kilter with sensible risk management and likely seriousness. Of course a lot of people do get bitten, maybe needing stitches even, and granted for a child being attacked by a big dog it's a more serious matter - but adult versus dog - not really.

 

[perplexed]

How to stop dog attacks?

Toss them a small Brimstone Beast.

 

[Nibor]

Those would fit nicely in a jersey pocket too

 

[Kajjal]

If a dog goes after you on a bike it is normally one of three things. Trying to say hello, in which case just stop and be friendly and it will either stop or may need to be told to sit. It wants to chase you and may be getting over excited, in this case firmly tell it off and get it to sit or not move.

The final one is trouble when a dog is growling and bearing its teeth, this means it is on the verge of attacking / biting you. Being firm, calm and confident can help but what happens is often more down to luck.

For non dog owners it is almost impossible to tell these appart and even harder to firmly control a dog by voice and body language. Which is why the owner of the dog should train it well, socialise it well and not put the dog into situations it finds stressful. If unsure keep it on a short lead out of harms way.

To give you an example while cycling on the canal recently a dog started barking and lunging at me. I could tell it was scared and not angry, so i stopped and said hello, let it sniff my hand, talked to the owner and carried on. Cycling past a drive way two jack Russell terriers came charging out onto the road, barking and snapping so i told them in no uncertain terms where to go and they ran off. A non dog owner would have no chance.

 

[Nibor]

Surprising how many dogs understand and respond accordingly to the command F### off.

 

[Fnaar]

If I remember rightly, Richard Ballantyne's advice was for killing a RABID dog, when urgency and not getting bitten were paramount.
I vaguely also remember summat about stuffing its head through your back spokes and pressing hard on the pedal. But that might just be a dream I had.

 

[Profpointy]

Surprising how many dogs understand and respond accordingly to the command F### off.

I remember we were on a country walk some years back and a couple of dogs ran out towards us from the bushes; tail wagging friendly dogs, not aggressive or anything. We duly made a fuss of them expecting their owner to emerge shortly. No one appeared so we carried on, but the bloody dogs followed us. We did rather worry that the owner might have been taken ill or whatever, but for better or worse we carried on. A mile or so later we were crossing the road and the dogs ran across in front of a car and we were glowered at by the driver, not doubt muttering about irresponsible dog owners - they weren't even our bloody dogs. We'd gone maybe a couple of miles since they first latched on to us. Eventually in exasperation I sternly said "go home" and pointed back the way we'd come. Well, bugger-me, they obeyed and duly set off back the way they'd come. I must have natural authority or something