I used to ask my kids to walk the dogs for me on occasion, but I stopped asking for fear of a big, loose dog attacking my tiny pups. Teenage boys would have no idea how to handle that situation. Heck, I don't even know! Thank goodness that has never happenned to us.
@topcat: I've dealt with dogs charging while both on a bike and while running. Being on foot is scarier but what's worked for me is - GET YOUR BAD A** ON- be an Alpha leader. All dogs know the word NO!! But you have to say it from the diaphragm / deep down - be the boss and mean it. Not way up in the throat high pitched scream- that eggs them on. It has worked every time for me - except for one dog- Sneaky Pete. Sneaky Pete was an Australian Shepherd who lived on Morgan Cemetary Rd. Every weekend we'd ride through there and every weekend he'd lay in waiting.... For me and no one else. There could be 10 cyclists in front of me and he'd wait for me. I would scan the field.for him and never see him- he would come a flying up behind barking his head off and chase me. I figured out that he wasn't about aggression or attacking- he just loved to chase me and only me. I haven't see him in almost 2 years. He's the only dog I let chase me- RIP Sneaky Pete
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