Can you help me with my dogs fear of bikes??

[angel1173]

Hi all

I originally posted this in the introduction area but have been advised to try the cafe!

Basically I have a 2 springer spaniels, both really friendly and loveable, only problem is that we think Buster has a fear of wheels, particularly bikes. When we first got him he would chase bikes (we soon realised this was an issue and of course keep him leashed when we are walking in areas that are frequented by cyclists!) Although he pulls like mad in an effort to 'defend' and has hurt my neck and shoulders as a consequence. Keeping him leashed for safety is not the answer in the long run as it adds to his fear and therefore he deems that bikes are a potential threat and worsens the behaviour long-term.

In the early days on the occassions when he had the opportunity to chase he was trying to get the wheels, not trying to bite the cyclist, which is worse as it poses a threat of injury to the cyclist and the dog.

I have asked friendly cyclists to allow my dog to sniff their bike if it has been convenient (i.e. if they have been dismounted after going through kissing gates) and he has been fine as the cycle is not in motion. I have also been on walks when my daughter has ridden her bike alongside us and again he was fine, but the next day he chased an innocent stranger (I foolishly believed he was cured as his behaviour had been different the day before). This cyclist and the lady from our dog training classes suggested joining a forum to seek help from other cyclists.

The idea goes as follows; a small group of cyclists (armed with water sprays, which I will happily provide) cycle by my dog and when he pulls on the leash barking they are to spray at him, I will be distracting him with treats. Hopefully this will work.

Again I wish to stress that control is not an issue, my original posting resulted in a rather hurtful, prejudiced reply from a member.

Al I am seeking is some help in overcoming my dog's fear of bikes. I have seen similar, successful tactics suggested on Dog Whisperer and It's Me Or The Dog.

Since his fears seem to be based on strangers riding bikes I don't know where to turn for help therefore I am appealing to you if you know of any cycle groups in the Stockport or surrounding area or indeed you think you could help or offer advise (preferably not involving euthanasia!!) please PM me.

Your time would be greatly appreciated and I would happily buy you a pint to say thanks!

Hopefully with your time and patience we can turn our pup into a cyclist friendly dog making life easier for both myself and all cyclists !

Thanks for taking time to read this post.

Sam

 

[Bman]

I replied to your other thread here

 

[potsy]

Hi Sam,would a stranger on a bike spraying your dog with water have the desired affect though,I'd have thought it would make him more angry towards cyclist's not less.
Where in Stockport would you be doing this? I cycle through Cheadle/Gatley most weekdays but weekends would be a no go unfortunately.

 

[Norm]

A fantastic idea, Sam, and good luck with the training. Also, whilst this is pretty much completely irrelevant for me (unless you walk your dog over 200 miles ) thanks for trying to get it sorted.

I don't think it's about fear, springers and collies are herding animals and my guess is that he's trying to bring a member of the flock back under control. If you shout at the dog, that just pushes them even further into "the zone", they take the shouting as akin to the barking they do whilst chasing, it just winds them up. That's a generalisation based on the breed, with no knowledge of your pooch, obviously.

As I can't help with your specific task, I can offer a couple of alternative suggestions. Firstly, use something like a compressed air horn might work. As soon as you see the dog react to the bike (and it must be instant, 2 secs later is too late) then blow the air horn. It'll move him from chase / herd drive to fear drive, giving you control back.

The other option, if that doesn't work, is one which is a little more contentious and that's the use of the electronic "shock" collar. We have a friend with a collie who used to chase bikes and horses, and no amount of training would work. As the owner was a solicitor, he was more concerned with the potential personal financial impact than any worry for the health of the third party but he tried an electronic collar and finally got the dog under control.

Whilst I wouldn't condone the use of shock tactics for most training issues, when the dog is potentially out of control off the lead and the only "plan b" is euthanasia or the injury of a third party, a mild shock on the back of the neck is, IMO, the better alternative.

 

[angel1173]

Potsy, thanks for the offer, unfortunately it would need to be a weekend due to the amount of time required.

Thanks Norm for your supportive reply. You are quite right that it could be a flushing out tactic linked to the breed, we can never be too sure but people I have spoken to think it's more a fear of strangers on bikes as he was happy to run along with my daughter.

It isn't as big an issue for the cyclists these days as we are avoiding cycle friendly areas to reduce stress to me LOL . But still we would love to be able to get out and about all over England but since we won't know how many cyclists frequent different areas we are restricted. I like the idea of the air horn but since the other dog is fine about bikes don't want to upset him. I will however keep in mind the electronic collar as a last resort.

Bongman, I've seen the other post, thanks x

 

[biggs682]

have you tried fitting stabilisers so the pooch doesnt wobble so much or am i missing

 

[02GF74]

firstly I am not keen on dongs.

secondly, as a cyclist, I get a fair share of dogs chasing me and have have 2 friend bitten by dogs.

in all cases, the owners apologise but do nothing. so the same happens again and again.


the dog has to be "told" that that sort of behaviour is not acceptable.

or train the dog to sit when a cyclist goes by and reward with kunga chunks?

... but at least you sound like you are prepared to do something about it, unlike 99% of dog owners that I've seen.

and apparently bicycle wheel spokes make a whooshing sound that we can't hear but dogs can, is what I heard.

 

[02GF74]

there is ofcourse google:

http://www.dogbreedz.com/dog_articles/dogarticle/train_dog_chase_people.htm

 

[monnet]

It's the way of dog. You can't change them. Just give him a book of Helm's cartoons and tell him to crack on.

Sorry, dogs and cyclists just = Helms to me.

Unfortunately, despite having been a dog owner, I can't think of any advice to offer. It sounds like a deep seated fear in the animal and one that will be very difficult to train out of it.

 

[tdr1nka]

firstly I am not keen on dongs.

Forgive me please.

 

[TheDoctor]

Pffffffft!!!!
*sniggers*

 

[snapper_37]

A few good suggestions....

I go riding with my dog - have you tried this? Maybe is he sees you are safe and no threat on a bike, he will feel less threatened by others.

Luckily, I've never had a problem with my dog chasing other cyclists (although she did decide to join a herd of deer last Friday , so good luck.

 

[Paulus]

My dog, when he was a pup used to chase cyclists, which was obviously embarrasing, not to say dangerous. I went for the aversion therapy route. There is a well used cycle path across the local fields, so I used to sit by the path with the dog on a lead and just let him see the bikes going buy untill he got used to them and took no notice. It took a few weeks but cured him of the problem.

 

[gbb]

Dog Whisperer and Dog Borstal have made me realise that behaviour can be changed, it's about distraction from unwanted behaviour and reward for good behaviour.
Rather than electric collar (god knows i wanted that for my last dogs tendancy to pull on the lead) they seem to favour a rattle bottle. Used at the right second, it always seems to work for them, then reward when the dogs 'done good'


I assume it can be counterproductive when used at the wrong time....but they always get good results.

 

[HobbesChoice]

It's really nice that you're making such an effort to work this out! I also agree to ignore 02GF74! What was that rant about???

I like the idea from Paulus to just sit at a bench with cyclists going by (maybe put a muzzle on the dog that day as that relaxes cyclists a little too) and wait until he gets bored of them.

The herding sounds right too, because when your daughter was cycling alongside she didn't need rounding up. Maybe next time your daughter cycles with you she should cycle away from you both and see what your dog does then?

Whatever the solution, I wish you the best of luck and am sorry I'm too far away to help.