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| Dealing With Dogs |
Among all the hazards cyclists face, few are as ubiquitous as man's best friend. Wherever you ride, whatever you ride, whether on road or on dirt, at some point a dog will conclude you are persona non grata, or worse, decide a pound of your flesh might make a fine hors d'oeuvre. Here are some tips on keeping your calves and ankles whole:
 | Make sure that you do not hit the dog; you will fall, injuring yourself and the dog. |
| Keep calm and stay in control of your bike; if you panic you may lose control and fall. |
| Remember, like a cheetah after a gazelle, even the fastest dogs lack endurance for long distance chases and will eventually give up as long as you keep moving. |
| Discretion is the better part of valor, and avoiding injury to either party is the goal here. Both you and the dog are enjoying life and doing what comes naturally; you are just riding and he or she is just being a dog. |
| Continue pedaling and ride past the dog; it is protecting its territory and should stop once you have exited its domain. |
| Remember that some dogs bark and chase for fun with no intention of attacking. |
| The faster you and your feet are moving, the less likely you are of being bitten. |
| Yelling at the dog will usually startle it, making it cease and desist long enough for you to safely escape. |
| Spray water from your water bottle into the dog's face; it will get a drink and back off. |
| Physical violence and pepper spray should only be used in extreme cases. In such circumstances, it is advisable to keep your bike between your body and the dog. |