I used to be frightened of dogs(until I was 'cured' by fear of magpies).
A friend lent me her Dazer, but I was afraid that it might antagonise the dog further, so I never had the courage to use it.
dog dazers
Re: dog dazers
As a dog owner, I take the common sense approach and try to take account of other likely legitimate users of the place where we are, and if my dog being off the lead is likely to cause a hazard, she stays on the lead. Occasionally I have her off the lead in a place where a cyclist suddenly appears, typically in forestry, and the cyclist and I sort it out between us, they by slowing down to give me time, and me by rounding up the dog. It tends to work okay. But not all dog owners use good judgement.
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a.twiddler
- Posts: 421
- Joined: 4 Jun 2009, 12:17am
Re: dog dazers
Despite the hype about the trainability of dogs, their ability to sense mood, being man's best friend etc etc left to their own devices dogs are essentially fairly stupid, instinct driven creatures if not taken firmly in hand from an early age. It's obvious that many owners have a blind spot about their dogs, believing they won't bite or telling you "they're only playing" after they've just caused you some high anxiety, or that it's somehow your fault.
Way back in about 1981 I had an incident with a loose dog while on the road which resulted in an impressive double somersault over the bars and a trip to A and E. The police were never able to trace the owner. I was quite wary about any dog for a long time after that. For a time I avoided certain routes where for example I had previously come across loose farm dogs.
I looked into various dog deterrents at the time but the main problem was that most such incidents happen so quickly that you are too busy taking evasive action or trying to stop to do anything else. Carrying a walking stick to encourage a mutt to keep its distance was problematical if you were trying to stop and swerve one handed at the same time. I have more recently found a walking stick handy for deterring a couple of loose snappy terriers while out walking (just had to wave it in their direction and they lost interest) but the likelihood of being bothered by dogs while walking is minute compared with being on a bike. "Dog dazers" posed the same problem as I believe they are directional so you have to control your bike as well as direct it. An ultrasonic dog training whistle? It might be easier to keep one on a cord round your neck but will it work when you need it? Hard to tell if you can't actually hear it. At that time I would not have been averse to whacking a dog with a stout stick if I thought it was about to bite me. Over time I have mellowed a bit. De escalation is always better than confrontation. My least worst solution at the time was to carry a boat horn in a bottle cage though never needed to use it in anger. It certainly made my ears fizz after I'd occasionally tested it.
While riding on shared facilities more recently I've never had a problem with accompanied dogs even off leads. I just slow down and give them time and room. What does make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up though is when you are riding along some lane and a largish dog on the other side of the hedge keeps pace with you growling and snarling as it goes. You just hope there isn't an open gate or gap in the hedge before you have left it behind. This has happened a few times this year, fortunately without them getting out. I'm no dog psychologist but it just feels more threatening to have a dog growl at you than when it barks.
Usually I've been on the recumbent which has the advantage that even dogs are surprised by it compared to an upright bike, and will often stop as if perplexed. The disadvantage is that your whole body is lower down so if you come across a biter, they have a lot more choice rather than just your lower legs and ankles.
Like horses, if you actually talk to them, they seem to recognise that you are human, even if it's only to say "Oi! Gerroff!". Like humans, though, some dogs are just mean, and won't stop unless their owner stops them. Fortunately, I haven't come across many of those.
Most dogs, like those who run after cars, seem to be just out for the chase, and if you stop, they don't know what to do, and lose interest.
Way back in about 1981 I had an incident with a loose dog while on the road which resulted in an impressive double somersault over the bars and a trip to A and E. The police were never able to trace the owner. I was quite wary about any dog for a long time after that. For a time I avoided certain routes where for example I had previously come across loose farm dogs.
I looked into various dog deterrents at the time but the main problem was that most such incidents happen so quickly that you are too busy taking evasive action or trying to stop to do anything else. Carrying a walking stick to encourage a mutt to keep its distance was problematical if you were trying to stop and swerve one handed at the same time. I have more recently found a walking stick handy for deterring a couple of loose snappy terriers while out walking (just had to wave it in their direction and they lost interest) but the likelihood of being bothered by dogs while walking is minute compared with being on a bike. "Dog dazers" posed the same problem as I believe they are directional so you have to control your bike as well as direct it. An ultrasonic dog training whistle? It might be easier to keep one on a cord round your neck but will it work when you need it? Hard to tell if you can't actually hear it. At that time I would not have been averse to whacking a dog with a stout stick if I thought it was about to bite me. Over time I have mellowed a bit. De escalation is always better than confrontation. My least worst solution at the time was to carry a boat horn in a bottle cage though never needed to use it in anger. It certainly made my ears fizz after I'd occasionally tested it.
While riding on shared facilities more recently I've never had a problem with accompanied dogs even off leads. I just slow down and give them time and room. What does make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up though is when you are riding along some lane and a largish dog on the other side of the hedge keeps pace with you growling and snarling as it goes. You just hope there isn't an open gate or gap in the hedge before you have left it behind. This has happened a few times this year, fortunately without them getting out. I'm no dog psychologist but it just feels more threatening to have a dog growl at you than when it barks.
Usually I've been on the recumbent which has the advantage that even dogs are surprised by it compared to an upright bike, and will often stop as if perplexed. The disadvantage is that your whole body is lower down so if you come across a biter, they have a lot more choice rather than just your lower legs and ankles.
Like horses, if you actually talk to them, they seem to recognise that you are human, even if it's only to say "Oi! Gerroff!". Like humans, though, some dogs are just mean, and won't stop unless their owner stops them. Fortunately, I haven't come across many of those.
Most dogs, like those who run after cars, seem to be just out for the chase, and if you stop, they don't know what to do, and lose interest.
Re: dog dazers
Looks like the OP has dived for cover, but I would like to know what he means by
"a well marked section of the promenade".
To me this is effectively a wide pavement (footway) next to the sea. If so then as thirdcrank said, dogs should probably be on a lead.
Maybe contacting the Council is a better way of pursuing this.
"a well marked section of the promenade".
To me this is effectively a wide pavement (footway) next to the sea. If so then as thirdcrank said, dogs should probably be on a lead.
Maybe contacting the Council is a better way of pursuing this.
Re: dog dazers
Re: dog dazers
It certainly wouldn't be your own fault, it would be a slip-up in the dog handling of the owner. But if the innocent party is nervous about dogs it might be worth assuring them that the dog is not attacking, and that it means them no harm. If that is true. It isn't saying that there isn't a problem, but it is saying that the problem may not be as serious as the innocent party may fear. If it were my dog, and she were being a nuisance, I'd have got the apology in as well.a.twiddler wrote: ↑5 Nov 2022, 1:54pm ......or telling you "they're only playing" after they've just caused you some high anxiety, or that it's somehow your fault.
Re: dog dazers
Edit - commenting Devon's post 2 up.
Good spot.
A direct paste, from 2005.
Good spot.
A direct paste, from 2005.
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thirdcrank
- Posts: 36740
- Joined: 9 Jan 2007, 2:44pm
Re: dog dazers
Yes. Well spotted!
I think there can be an advantage in a thread like this if it leads to clarification of things like the law on dog walking.
I think there can be an advantage in a thread like this if it leads to clarification of things like the law on dog walking.
Re: dog dazers
A good squirt from a water bottle has occasionally worked for me. It just takes the dog by surprise and the owner can hardly object.
I was once bitten on the ankle by a small, unaccompanied dog in an urban street on my commute home. As luck would have it, it was right outside a manned police station (well, it was a long time ago). I stamped angrily into the station and described the dog to the officer on duty, who laughed and said, "Oh, that one - he always chases our cars!" I suggested that he might try to run it over the next time (and I consider myself a dog-lover!).
I was once bitten on the ankle by a small, unaccompanied dog in an urban street on my commute home. As luck would have it, it was right outside a manned police station (well, it was a long time ago). I stamped angrily into the station and described the dog to the officer on duty, who laughed and said, "Oh, that one - he always chases our cars!" I suggested that he might try to run it over the next time (and I consider myself a dog-lover!).
Re: dog dazers
Illegal to use one in Wales I believe.
I am wrong sorry. Collars that administer an electrical shock are banned.
I am wrong sorry. Collars that administer an electrical shock are banned.
Re: dog dazers
Used a dazed to fend off a determined attack from two dog whilst hiking in Bolivia, very scary but worked. The guide was so impressed she hung on to it for the day. Maybe it works better for dogs in quiet areas who are not used to traffic noise. Having had to use stones and dust to fend off two dogs in Turkey a few weeks ago I will be buying another one as I will be walking and cycling in Turkey next June.
Re: dog dazers
Can i ask which one?roberts8 wrote: ↑7 Nov 2022, 11:47am Used a dazed to fend off a determined attack from two dog whilst hiking in Bolivia, very scary but worked. The guide was so impressed she hung on to it for the day. Maybe it works better for dogs in quiet areas who are not used to traffic noise. Having had to use stones and dust to fend off two dogs in Turkey a few weeks ago I will be buying another one as I will be walking and cycling in Turkey next June.
Or is "dog dazer" a brand of a specific unit?
Sweep
Re: dog dazers
We had the dog dazer 2.
Looks a bit old style but did work. I think they are about £30.
Looks a bit old style but did work. I think they are about £30.
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Tangled Metal
- Posts: 9788
- Joined: 13 Feb 2015, 8:32pm
Re: dog dazers
About the dogs on a lead in Leeds centre comment. Aiui there's a PSPO in the centre of Leeds and that page about dogs says it means dogs must be in a lead at all times, or something like that. However looking at the wording of b the PSPO applied to Leeds centre there is no mention of dogs and leads. Unless I've missed it in the PSPO list of restrictions on the Leeds gov site that means that there's no legal requirement for dogs on leads specifically in the area covered by the PSPO under the PSPO.
Perhaps TC could clarify whether there is a mechanism for enforcement of something that's not covered by the PSPO but is only in the Leeds gov guidance for dog owners?
I know I'm being a pedant here but unless there's a specific requirement or a dog warden/police officer instructs me to put my dog on a lead there I would feel that if it's safe and reasonable to have my dig off lead there I would make that judgement call according to the situation at the time we're there.
As to the rest, dogs and cyclists "conflicts" are no different to cyclists and drivers "conflicts" in that there's a lot of fuss stirred up and there's always the principle of protecting the more vulnerable that applies. In that respect cyclists are often coming across as entitled motorists do on the roads. Next you'll be calling for doggy number plates, hiviz, helmets, insurance and licences.
Perhaps TC could clarify whether there is a mechanism for enforcement of something that's not covered by the PSPO but is only in the Leeds gov guidance for dog owners?
I know I'm being a pedant here but unless there's a specific requirement or a dog warden/police officer instructs me to put my dog on a lead there I would feel that if it's safe and reasonable to have my dig off lead there I would make that judgement call according to the situation at the time we're there.
As to the rest, dogs and cyclists "conflicts" are no different to cyclists and drivers "conflicts" in that there's a lot of fuss stirred up and there's always the principle of protecting the more vulnerable that applies. In that respect cyclists are often coming across as entitled motorists do on the roads. Next you'll be calling for doggy number plates, hiviz, helmets, insurance and licences.
Re: dog dazers
You're not wrong.Tangled Metal wrote: ↑10 Nov 2022, 7:42pm
As to the rest, dogs and cyclists "conflicts" are no different to cyclists and drivers "conflicts" in that there's a lot of fuss stirred up and there's always the principle of protecting the more vulnerable that applies. In that respect cyclists are often coming across as entitled motorists do on the roads. Next you'll be calling for doggy number plates, hiviz, helmets, insurance and licences.
'Give me my bike, a bit of sunshine - and a stop-off for a lunchtime pint - and I'm a happy man.' - Reg Baker