Dogs and cyclists again

downfader

Local paper has a letter from a dog lover who rides through southampton's common. When I read it I instantly felt empathy - been there myself a couple of times. Its very rare I see anyone tearing along on the common, most just use it to get off Hill Lane or some of the hideous side roads.

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/yoursay/dele ... s_anguish/

I have always been cautious around dogs, trying not to spook them (though sometimes you cant help it). In the last couple of years I have seen an increase in dogs like doberman, rotties, staffies and so on, and less of the more mellow breeds (if you get what I mean) and owners who have about 3 of them. How do they control them, I sometimes wonder... anyway I spose thats by the point.

lost_in_thought

I was always told that if you are being chased by a dog that is not growling (barking is fine, but no growling) that the best thing to do is stop and stand still, on a bike or on foot.

I have always done this, and have never been bitten or hurt. They usually just wander off, having lost interest. Or they stand next to me barking.

However, I do agree that a dog which is not controlled shouldn't be off a lead in a public place.

However, I have a dobie, and she's very much under control. They're very trainable - it's the owners that are the problem with some of them!

downfader

Dont get me wrong. I think dobies and rotties are great dogs, but they surely need a decent leadership. But sometimes you just look at an owner and think - you're not the pack leader there are you.

Eat My Dust

It turns out dogs only like chasing me when I'm out running these days which is a bit alarming as they can catch me a lot easier. The other day a woman with 2 little yelpy type things saw me coming from a fair distance away and put one dog on the lead. She didn't bother with the other one. I thought "it must be well trained" was it f*ck. It actually tried to nip my heels as it gave chase. She was shouting at it to leave me alone. She didn't look very amused as I squirted water into it's eyes, saying that it didn't look very happy either. Stopped it chasing me though!!

Feltup

I was cycling along when I noticed a dog up ahead so i slowed trying to work out which way it was likely to move so I could give it a widish berth. This dog however had a strange look about it which made me slow further. Rather than move off or even stand its ground it starting moving towards me in a threatening way.

I didn't have time or space to turn and run so got off quickly and put my bike between me and the dog just in time for it suddenly lunged mouth open. The bike worked on this first attack but I was certain that it wouldn't a second time. I was absolutely bricking it now and wondering what I was going to do when from out of the corner of my eye I spotted another dog baring down on me from my left. OH Christ not another one. Now what?

This is when time stood still and I waited for the mauling. The dog on my left growled and lunged...................................

but not at me! It had gone for the first dog and even though out gunned fought the other dog off. My Hero!!

He got a good old scruffle behind his ears and I got several licks then he was off. Lassie eat your heart out.

fairweatherbiker

Dogs are just another hazard. I have to stop for some, on the towpath, others are well-behaved and stick with their owners - some owners will always grab their dogs. I'm really impressed with one dog and owner. When I approach the owner gives a word of command and the dog just stops. It looks like its straining to get at me - but its so well-trained, it just watches me, and when I've passed the owner gives it another command to release it. I've never been chased - I suppose because I stop for the angry looking dog and let it sniff the tyres - say hello and once its out of my path - just proceed slowly.

JGS

I have managed to train three of my parents dogs to sit when they see a bike (they also sit when we reach the edge of the pavement). All it takes is teaching them to sit on command (using plenty of rewards and praise) and then use the word when bikes come (and more rewards and praise), and eventually the dog will associate sitting down when a bike comes with reward and doing a good thing. Then again I would do as I am an avid cyclist and realise what damage could be done to the dog and any innocent victim of the dogs blissful ignorance of what bikes are.