These photos were taken before the scaredy cat event that unfolded…
Ever since I got bit by a dog this past winter (he did not break my skin, but he did bruise it, and really scared the heck out of me) I have been kind of a scaredy cat about any dogs that come toward me. And being a scaredy cat only seems to make it worse. Today I went for a bike ride, and wasn’t up for much but simply moving my body, enjoying some sunshine, and the sights of springtime blooming. Wouldn’t you know, one of my first encounters was a little dachshund. It seemed to come out of nowhere and it was going to let me know (although what it was letting me know, I am still not sure). It wasn’t going to let up and was not going to listen to it’s person and decided it was going to chase me as fast as it could. In a near panic I finally screamed “GO AWAY!! STOP!!” It sort of backed off a little, surprised at my outburst, and then I got up enough speed, and that was the end of it. My limbs were rubbery in that adrenaline nervous kind of way and I stopped in a sunny spot with a peek of the lake to relax for a few before continuing further. In hindsight, it probably looked pretty silly – big ol’ me on a giant bicycle, and that tiny little thing (yes, it was a miniature dachshund).. and me being the one in fear… Some of these dogs are not so small though, like the one that bit me, which was actually rather huge and mean. What do you do about this kind of thing? Run away? Stand still and try to say calming things (that one got me bit)? Yell? Carry mace? I have had dogs, and known lots of dogs, and encountered lots of dogs that are strangers to me, all without incident. Maybe there are just more dogs in the world all the sudden, or maybe the dogs in our area are tweaked. I don’t want to be afraid to hit the streets on my bike. In all my previous years of cycling, even when it was my only means of transportation, I never encountered this sort of predicament. Have any of you dealt with this sort of thing?
I am chuckling a little at this point. That was nice to get off my chest : ) But really! Any dog wisdom would be welcome.
I really suggest you watch “the dog whisperer”. Although it does’nt directly deal with your issue (that a lot of people have) it does teach you things like that YOUR energy is what controls a dogs behavior and if you are balanced and secure in most cases (cause you know, there are some dogs that need crazy correction) a dog will feel that and respect you.
Let me tell you, I try a lot of the exercises seen there with my dog or with dogs that aren’t mine and they really work which shows me that it all starts with my own state of mind.
I was bitten by a medium size seemingly harmless dog when visiting my friends house ( the dog belonged to her roommate). As I entered the house he went for my leg, bit really hard and broke skin. I was in shear shock (and pain) that a dog bit me! I LOVE DOGS! I’ve always been around dogs since I was little but after that incident my confidence and trust was jarred for a long time. It’s been 4 years now and really it took trying to “get back on the horse.” At first whenever I encountered a new dog I kept my distance or freaked out when they came close (similar to you). However, slowly I started petting dogs and getting closer to them. I tried and pushed myself little by little because I knew I was a dog lover – I just needed to trust again. So I guess my advice is to try forgiving and maybe get to know some lovely dogs your friends own or at a pet shop and begin realizing that not all dogs are out to get you :-). I hope this helps
Sounds like sage advice from both commenters above. Dogs, though I love them, are just like any other animal in that they can have funny things frighten them; bicycles are threatening to many for some reason. I was nearly thrown from a horse a couple years ago when the horse I was riding got spooked and very suddenly bolted, I was lucky to stay on but it put a newfound fear in me of riding. I haven’t been back on a horse since because I know they sense fear.
Sadly, the dog owners should be in more control of the animals and stop them if they are bothering a passerby. Our dog would chase your bike because she would want to play with you, but she wags her whole body in excitement and you would sense her friendliness. Though I know she wouldn’t hurt a cyclist, I call her back if she chases one because lots of people are frightened by dogs, many people because they’ve been bitten. I agree wholeheartedly about the fear factor. Spend time with dogs you know and trust, maybe it will help. While your riding you could also have a stick or something to throw their way to distract them.
If it makes you feel any better, we had a miniature dachshund all through my childhood and the whole family got many laughs out of his bark being bigger than his bite! He didn’t seem to have any idea that he was such a little thing, and any dog of any size that set foot in our yard would end up running off with its tail between its legs because of his crazy barking. Sometimes it seemed like the big dogs never even saw his little tiny body, they just heard all the barking and ran! So, don’t feel too sheepish about being scared by a little dachshund – they are small but mighty! He never did bite anyone (dog or human) though, I’m pretty sure it was all him defending us and the home turf.
I have also heard that dogs sense fear and respond to it, but honestly, even when I try and stay grounded and non-reactionary, I find some dogs to be unpredictable. Maybe it’s just energetics – like with other people – you can’t always count on things clicking.
You posted a great photo recently of a big farm dog who looked like a gentle giant. Maybe you could go spend some time with him/her to rekindle a good dog vibe. Good luck!
We’ve been living without a car now for almost a year and do all our errands via bicycle. I have never encountered, thank goodness, a mean dog along my routes. My partner is always telling me not to talk to the dogs since I usually feel compelled to say something like “hello sweetie” and that usually leads to a dog following us wagging it’s tail. And then we have to quickly sprint away to get it to stop.
It must be very scary having a mean dog chasing you! My partner biked across the country last year and he carried pepper spray with him. He had to use more than once. He is a animal lover so it was not easy but he had to protect himself. He suggests to have it in a very accessible place. Maybe a small bag on the handlebars with an easy access opening. Maybe you could create a custom bag for yourself!
Best of luck Abby!
Hi Abby!
I can so relate to this! I witnessed my aunt being viciously attacked (put her in the hospital) when I was very young. It traumatized me and I was terrified of dogs ever since. They always sensed my fear which only made things worse.
When we got a puppy and raised it, it helped me work through those fears. Although better, I’m still afraid of dogs I don’t know.
I don’t really have any advice on it, I’m still working through it, but I wanted to let you know that I can relate to you.
Love, Taryn
Hey, I have the same back pack! We have some shots of it a few posts down on http://www.hitherandthither.net
Confidence is everything… most dogs you encounter will respond to your non-verbal and verbal ques so be bold. MUCH easier said than done. maybe some pepper spray in your pocket would give you added confidence–even if you don’t ever intend on using it. Good luck!
Aron
http://www.babymine.net
http://www.hitherandthither.net
oh Abby I’m so sorry to hear you got bit by a dog this winter… relieved to know it wasn’t too serious physically. I understand it is hard to trust dogs again and that there is a fear reaction now… when i was a child i got bit on a street by a bulldog that pulled his leash so hard he escaped and jumped on me, biting me on the leg. although i wasn’t scared of dogs after that, i have remained very careful about certain types of dogs since.
i hope you can have some nice new experiences with dogs so you can feel more comfortable when one of them is around xx
LOL!!! Your story of little dachsund made me smilr but I get your fear. my family never had dogs so i am doubly wary. they seem to just love to chase bikes. not sure why. i used to bike all the time and on rare occasion one would chase me. I think I usually biked as fast as I could, til they gave up. I was never bitten thankfully but truly that would be scary. They do sense fear, but don’t ever look them in the eye. that’s inspires them! carrying pepper spray sounds like a great idea, esp. to give you a sense of security and maybe you’ll never even use it. my husband recently bought me a loud whistle (ebay) b/c I at work at 6am and park in a big empty parking lot. this whistle is piercingly loud – one of these would surely scare a dog too.
It sounds like good old PTSD and it makes sense since being bitten by a large dog is no small deal. The automatic physical response will fade in time, probably in less than a year. I think you did the right thing by just peddling as fast as you could. You could also carry one of those portable air horns. I’m sure that would do the trick!!
I was bitten by a dog as a very small child and had night terrors for years afterwards. I would dream that I was chased and ripped apart by large dogs. My parents got pretty sick of my panic when seeing a dog while walking around and being woken up in the middle of the night by my screaming bloody murder so they bought me a little 9 lb poodle who became my very best friend in the world. I love dogs now, but I never approach them, I always stop and hold out my hand and ask their owners before I would ever pet or touch a dog I don’t know. I’m still cautious, but I’ve gotten over my fear.
Good luck!