People who bike their dogs, etiquette?

CorvusCorax

CorvusCorax

Deary me...
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Hello.

I got chased twice today, once the man managed to recall his dog eventually and because I had already seen his two dogs mobbing other people's dogs before I set off, I did not want to stop and let a handbags-at-five paces situation develop.
The second time it happened, it was a mini Schnauzer who came charging up to us, danced around my wheels, chased us for a bit so I had to steer into the muddy verge to avoid him and stop and the owner collected him. She did not even apologise.

Do you generally stop or keep going and does this happen often, or was I just unclucky today? The vast majority of people put their dogs on a lead and step aside and I thank them.
When I am moving along at a steady pace my dog tends to ignore others and comes along beside me, if I stop he is more likely to mess about so I would prefer not to stop.

Any thoughts appreciated! (And I am trying to be nice and charitable and not rant :p)
 
Just keep going, I used to lead my dobie x dog and let my kelpie bitch run free.they both heeled well - although if he went to cock his leg I fell off but thats another story - as long as I kept going we didn't seem to get into trouble and Harley, the dobe x would have a fight if he felt it was necessary so it was best to keep moving. Same when I'm out riding, I take my lurcher, and if people can't keep their dogs away I just keep going, its their problem.
 
This happens to me all the time, and it makes me SO mad that people cant or wont control their dogs! :mad: Its bad enough that I often either get knocked off or have to grind to a halt, but when I do cycle away and their dogs then follow me, the owners are most put out that I wont cycle back towards them so that they can try and catch their dog!!!!!!

Sorry, rant over .... for now! :D
 
So long as you're biking in an appropriate place (not on a footpath :p) I would generally grit my teeth and try to carry on or, if the owner is truly incapable of controlling the dog and it's about to be run over/become husky food I stop, hold my dogs by their harnesses and, depending on the reaction of the owner, either continue gritting my teeth or point out exactly what a pain in the arse they've been.

The problem with stopping is that, as you say, you create the opportunity for a stand-off. Not good in any circumstance but especially inconvenient when you've got two dogs in lines, only takes one opportune lunge to knot the whole configuration up (and R would take that as a signal to reverse out of his harness too :rolleyes:).

Being physically attached to bike + dogs I won't take the chance and try to bike at anti-social times on remote tracks, we seldom meet anyone. :)

Funnily enough there's rules on this sort of thing for competition, I know CaniX UK specify that anyone shouting at members of the public to get out of the way will be kicked out. :p
 
Thanks guys...I do normally go out at quieter times (it is a cycle path/walking trail) but must have been unlucky today, like I say most people are pleasant and have their dogs under control.
The only time I've shouted was last week when I squeaked 'pleasedon'tthrowtheballuntilwearepastTHANKYOU!!!!!' :p

I was too annoyed to speak to the woman with the Schanauzer TBH, we passed her on the first lap and the dog was dragging her everywhere on a flexi lead, it crossed my path, she yanked it back, I thanked her, she grunted at me....

I am not saying I am perfect, he tanked off after another dog on the beach last week :p and my big dog has been known to lunge at bikes, but hey, that's why he stays on a lead in public....bit of a no-brainer!
 
If I see another dog, I slow right down until the owner has definitly seen my and can recall their dog if they feel they need to. If they call and the dog does not instantly come, I wouldn't stop until they had. Harley is sensitive and would probably freak if I had a dog chasing us with me riding my bike. I'd much prefer to be stationary.
 
Haha!

If it's that same weekend this year we have something on as well (including an endurance test, but they have to be 15 months old for that) and I am really only doing it for fitness and control at this stage.
But I might give it a go when he is older! (And if he is rubbish at the sport I hope to compete him in :p)
 
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Obviously as a biker you give way to people, i.e if its narrow etc. you wait/ get off and walk (normal courtesy on shared paths where its narrow). If a dog is harassing I'd ignore it and carry on. If dog gets bumped with the bike wheel it learns not to bother..Obviously assuming you aren't going to injure it by bumping it.
 
TBH people get out of the way when they see me before I have a chance to slow down and give way (that may or may not have something do to with my dog's appearance) but that is worth bearing in mind, thanks.
I did not bump the dog, but it might get a nudge next time, I had a really wobbly stupid stop because I was trying not to hit it.
 
oh you see unless I'm going very fast (not likely the dog I'm biking-generally at walking pace on the bike) I tend to just keep going and haven't yet had one not bugger off out of my way. if it gets hit it learns. But I appreciate some owners might object (probably nott too loudly if you have your gsd with you :P)
 
When I go out I have 4 dogs with me - 2 terriers & 2 Lurchers. I have approx 0.4 miles to get to single track then straight onto path across arable fields or grass byway. Once away from village traffic and on track the terriers go off lead and the lurchers have a 6-8ft lead to allow them to run alongside (these are why I am a mad woman going x country as little recall and allows them to run)!! Is quite rural but weekends & hols do occassionally meet others and I always shorten up lurchers and either keep going with terriers to heal if the other person has theirs under control or if they are not in control I stop put all back on leads and have bike betweeen my dogs and them. Usually works for us, I just have to make sure one of the girls does her toilets early on as has been known to stop dead removing me from bike!!
 
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