Norman wrote:
Dogs, as predators, are hardwired to chase fast-
moving things. This instinct is very useful when
subsumed into herding behaviour, and very dif-
ficult to overcome when mounted on a bicycle,
because if the dog sees that you are not attacking
him, he is compelled to pursue. The only fool-
proof method that I know of (having tried water,
shouting "no", etc etc) is 280 grains of plumbum
applied carefully to the skull of the animal in
question. Applicators do vary, so be familiar
with the one you choose, & remember that the
irate owner may inadvertently request that a
similar application be applied to him. Make
sure you have a good excuse.

Sorry, but my experience is different from yours. You seem to be saying that
nothing can be done about dogs vis a vis chasing bicyclists. I lived and
rode a bike in Germany for 8 years and was never once chased by a dog. My
own dog showed no prediliction to chase after cyclists, either. Why? I
trained her to be disciplined and not to chase. I trained her to know when
to chase something and when not to chase. The problem here is not "dogs will
be dogs, they can't help it" but the lack of responsibility on the dog's
owners. Ergo, the owner is totally at fault in a legal situation.

Pat