Active Community: Message List - Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

Re: Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

omabikeryder — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:47:55 GMT

I ride out in the country, some farm dogs just like to chase bikes. If you are already moving, you can outrun them. Yelling at them to STOP or GO HOME will often get them to stop chasing. Coming up on a very aggressive dog, not under control on a trail would be a bad situation. The guy who kept the bike between him and the dog had the right idea. I would only pepper spray a dog as a last resort. A good trick is to grab your water bottle and spray them in the face when they get too close.

Re: Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

michaelok — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:54:00 GMT

My brother-in-law and I were riding on a "rail to trail" bike path some years back, when we approached two pedestrians with a large dog. I've no idea what type of dog it was, but it was bigger than your average dog, with short hair, and golden color. Reminded me of a guard dog, like a Leonberger, calm and not as tense as a German Sheperd, but very ready to protect it's owner.

Unfortunately for us, the dog backed out of it's collar (smart too), and we all faced each other in a stand off, as the owner tried to control her dog. I was on my bike, one foot on the ground, and he charged at me, with mouth open, but not biting, although he did nick my knee with his tooth. Then he turned his attention to my brother-in-law. He's from a town full of stray dogs, some dangerous, so he deftly kept the bike between himself and the dog, like a lion tamer with a chair. Each time the dog charged him, he'd move the bike to block the dog. Very clever.

Finally the owner got the dog back under control and we went on our way. They seemed very apologetic and embarrassed.

After reading your post and all the useful links, next time I will be sure and get the owner's name and the dog's papers. On the other hand, someone on the BT thread said he would kick the dog, I would recommend not taking that advice. According to my brother-in-law, things like that (hitting the dog, etc) would only get the dog madder. As someone pointed out, German Shepherds are very quick, for example, and obviously certain dogs are trained attack dogs and you would not stand a chance trying to kick them.

Pepper spray seems like a good idea though.

Re: Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

IronMakeover — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:40:39 GMT

A Nicholas Sparks book recently reminded me of this thread.

I wondered if anyone new had a dog story to share? Any confrontations on the bike or run and how did you handle it?

Sara

Re: Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

Chad Chisholm — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:57:52 GMT

Don't pay $20 for RoadID. Go to petsmart and make a dog tag for $4. You can engrave whatever you want on it. Attach it to your shoes. WIN!

Re: Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

Barry11 — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:45:34 GMT

1) No headphones. I can't wear them in the race, so I don't train with them.

2) Road ID. For the $15-$20 it cost me, well worth it.

3) Bright color jersey's on the bike.

4) Bring cell phone on the bike

Re: Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

Billiken on the Run — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:31:20 GMT

I don't wear headphones (biking or running), give people my routes or run/bike with friends and I wear a Road ID. 2 out of 4 isn't bad!

Re: Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

IronMakeover — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:01:10 GMT

Hey there,

I saw this article today and thought I'd include it. http://www.dailycommercial.com/localnews/story/040209runnersafe

In it they say not to wear earphones while exercising outside. Thoughts on this? It also suggests running with a friend, carrying ID and letting someone know your route.

So, active.com triathletes, does anyone do that?

Chopper, sic'em, Boy! - Things I Wish I Knew

IronMakeover — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:20:38 GMT

In the 1986 movie Stand by Me, a kid named Gordie gets caught taking a shortcut through a junkyard. Milo, the junkyard owner, demands answers and Gordie runs. Milo calls to his dog, "Chopper, sic'em, Boy!" But Gordie hears, "Chopper, sic balls!" The chase begins.

So, how do you handle Chopper on the bike and run? I've tried many things. http://ironmakeover.blogspot.com/2009/03/chopper-sicem-boy-things-i-wish-i-knew.html

You'll find more dog talk in active's running community. http://community.active.com/thread/46116

If interested, see the rest of my series: Things I Wish I Knew As a New Triathlete:

#1 My swimsuit was see-through. #2 Go Commando: Things I Wish I Knew #3 Land of the Lost Training

Any other River Phoenix fans? Or Stand by Me fans?

Sara