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Don’t Worry, He’s Friendly

We've heard that one before! Trail dogs are great, at least the ones that are actually friendly to bikers.

By Brian DeVane
March 23, 2022

13 comments

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We’ve heard that one before! Trail dogs are great, at least the ones that are actually friendly to bikers.

Have you had a bad encounter with a dog during a ride? Tell us about it in the comments.

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Brian DeVane

Father, adventure seeker and storyteller of all kinds.

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13 Comments

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Nero Hannah British Columbia // 2018
Mar 24, 2022

There are no bad dogs, just bad owners.

6 reply

Matt Miller Colorado // 2012
Mar 24, 2022

Truth.

0 reply

Talley Man New Mexico // 2014
Mar 24, 2022

Last year I was chased by dogs while riding on a trail. The owner yelled at me to stop and they would not bite me but I wasn’t going to take any chances so I kept riding and tried to outrun them. Good thing I was going downhill and was able to finally shake them. When I got back to the trailhead I noticed I set a new PR on the downhill segment that I was being chased! 😂

4 reply

Bob Ward California // 2015
May 1, 2022

If you do ride with your dog, ride responsibly. With that said, I have encountered more asshole mountain bikers and hikers than bad trail dogs. If you see a dog on the trail you should approach it as you would a small child. Slow down, smile and say hello to the pup.

1 reply

Chin Gao New Mexico // 2016
Mar 25, 2022

A aerosol can of pepper spray DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT. I have been forced to exercise this method several times during my bike riding activities once for an area where the dog resides he no longer chase me. Another on the trail gave fair warning to owner who showed no care the dog got a small squirt spray got slightly disillusioned and was carried away. People who own dogs need to control/leash dogs when in public.
As I get older I am more convinced that yes it’s people who are the biggest threat to our society including me being I must carry a means of self defense.

1 reply

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Mar 23, 2022

I don't run into problems with dogs on the trail very often. But riding on the road out in the country I get chased all the time! That's a little different though since I'm sorta on the dogs' turf haha.

1 reply

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Mar 25, 2022

Bikepacking thru Florida we came across a group of 3 large, loud dogs who seemed to be running aggressively into the road toward us. My friend Chase was out front and he stops in the middle of the road and starts petting them! I wish I had been able to get a photo, it was pretty amazing. I guess sometimes chasing dogs just want to play.

0 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Mar 25, 2022

But, they love ya Jeff! Just want ya to throw a tennis ball for hours...

0 reply

mikanada 2016
Mar 23, 2022

Yep, I have definitely been the one on the bike, with my foot bitten by the dog. Don't worry, he's friendly. Yup - 100%, that is exactly what the owner said.
Thank god I sprayed the hell out of my shoes and socks for tick reasons. It was glorious to see the dog recoiling from the taste of the Deet.
I kid you not, now half the reason I spray my legs is in consideration of dogs, not just ticks and mosquitos.

1 reply

credible New Zealand // 2019
Mar 25, 2022

In our local multi-use forest, almost all dog walkers are brilliant. One day, though, on the steepest downhill section of access road, I encountered 2 dogs and 2 women. One shouted "STOP!" as she tried to get her dog under control. And failed. Sadly, I stopped. A dog latched onto my leg and would not let go. I was so shocked and angry that - when released - I just got out of there (failing to get her name, or turn on my GoPro). I've never seen those people/dogs again in the years since.

0 reply

abegold Arizona // 2006
Apr 30, 2022

Only had 1 dog ever chase me, twice. The first time I out road him. The second time I hit the brakes and got the dog right in front of me then hit the pedals hard and ran over his front paws, never saw him again. I've taken my dogs on many rides, no one was ever bitten.

0 reply

Ihappydirt Wisconsin // 2018
Mar 24, 2022

The way your legs move in circles drives some dogs crazy. One dog I had met several times at my mechanic's house in the country never acted aggressive, but when I rode down the driveway to pick up my vehicle he ran up and bit me in the leg. The mechanic almost didn't believe me until I showed him the blood. Still didn't really apologize which was surprising because he is usually a great guy.

A pack of dogs on one stretch of highway were the opposite, always aggressive. When I rode downhill, no issue, but once I was climbing and they came out of the ditch on the opposite side of the road and I couldn't outrun them. Lots of yelling and keeping the bike in the middle worked long enough for the owner to call them. When I told her they were a problem, she yelled at me. The whole commotion was noticed by a nearby neighbor who said her kids had told her they were aggressive toward them on their land an eighth mile away. Now she believed them and called the deputy, who warned them of a ticket for $165 if they got any more reports. The owner was mad at me thinking I called the cops. So what.

0 reply

CowdreyC California // 2013
Apr 5, 2022

You have a right to defend yourself believe it or not. You have a leg… kick it before it bites…

0 reply

Tagged: cartoon, dog, trail dog, community

First published March 23, 2022 @ 1:35:00