Bikes and Dogs

I like both bikes and dogs. I have owned many of both over the years. Probably more dogs than bikes, actually. There are a few dogs that fall into the less-than-like category for me and certainly a few breeds that I just don’t trust.

What I have a real problem with is Dog Owners (DO’s).  Particularly owner’s that do not care for their dog OR allow their dogs to chase after cyclists on public roads.  Both make me about equally angry but the latter is much more “exciting” – for me, the cyclist. I guess it really isn’t a matter of how bikes and dogs match, it is more an issue of dog owner responsibility, education, and training (for the owner).

I don’t know if it has something to do with the area in which I live or if it is this way everywhere but I would bet, on average, I get chased by at least one dog on every ride. I am not talking about the dogs that simply bark at me from their yard – fenced or not.  These are the dogs that actually get out on the road with me.

I tend to divide the dogs that chase me into a few different categories or classes:

• Assassins: The ones that I honestly fear.  These dogs come out snarling, barking, and biting – they mean business.
• Comedians: Chihuahua’s, tiny Poodles, and other punt dogs that are full of spunk but present danger only to themselves – and make noise.
• Nulls: I’m a programmer and a NULL is an unknown value.  These dogs are the ones that I am simply not sure about. What they are going to do is unknown.
• Sportsman: The dogs that are clearly just chasing for the sport.  The bark and run alongside but their tales are wagging and they are clearly having a good time.  The danger is slight – mostly from getting hit by a car while paying attention to the dog.

I figured out REAL early on that I needed some kind of defense.  So, I’ve been carrying a can of “Spray Shield” from Petsmart.  The stuff seems to work as it has deterred every Assassin and Null class dog that I have sprayed (at least ten).   The problem with it is that it is $10+ per can and a store to purchase it is not very close.

I need to come up with a homemade, refillable solution. I have a friend that uses a windex like pump spray bottle for his defense. It seems to work but is kinda clumsy. I much prefer the small, pressurized can that Spray Shield comes in.

I should note that I really don’t want to permanently harm any dogs.  What I would much prefer is that the owners of these dogs take responsibility  for them and prevent them from chasing cyclists. Barring that; I really do want the Assassin class to learn a lesson (which is to STOP chasing cyclists).

If you have ideas and/or solutions for this constant bikes and dogs problem, please share!