Field Journal

Dogs on the route are a skill, not just bad luck

Jul 17, 2026 · By Gabor

Article

When a shepherd dog charges, stop immediately and dismount. Place the bike between yourself and the dog as a physical barrier and face the animal calmly — never turn your back or sprint away. Talk to the dog in a low, steady voice, any language works, the tone is what matters. If you have food, you can offer it slowly, but never chocolate, which is toxic to dogs. Wait until the dog loses interest or backs off before remounting, and move away slowly rather than accelerating hard.