Runners and loose dogs

[sawyerthedestroyer]

We have a lot of neighbors that just let their dogs run loose through the neighborhood and they often chase me while I'm on my run. I ignore them as best I can and haven't been attacked, but I worry about it. What do you do when you're out and dogs come after you?

[finallykrisb]

I also ignore them. 99% of the time they are all bark. Only once did the dog get physically agressive. Then I was yelling and flailing and making a general fool of myself. But the dog backed off.

[Susie]

I've had more trouble with dogs on my bike than when running. On my bike, I can outrun them, it just really sucks when they are ahead of me and I have to get past them not knowing where they'll dart. When running, I've always been able to ignore them and they don't follow too long.

[al320]

i try to ignore them. there's a trail we run and a lot of people have their dogs loose, they usually stay away, or if they come near by they are harmless. on the road (in neighborhoods) ive taken to crossing the street at least - one time i was running and saw a loose dog, and as i got closer i realized it was a fox - so i crossed the street to avoid it. it ran away as i got closer anyway.

[hjohnson050711]

just had this problem this weekend!! stupid dog was loose in someone's yard - and this was a neighborhood, so frustrating. i stopped running and just walked so the dog wouldn't think i was running from him. once i was past i picked my pace back up

[ktkl09]

I ignore them, usually there is rarely a loose dog without his owner. I've been chased a few times, given a mean to look to their owners and they usually get them immediately.

[mommainthesouth]

Be assertive and yell at the dog to "go on" or "go home." This has worked for me 100% of the time. Sometimes I have to do it more than once. We live rurally and encounter lots of unpenned dogs.