Woof! Woof! Finding Dogs On The Run

Woof! Woof! The sound that stops most runners dead in their tracks. Having been a runner for a sustained period I've had my fair share of rather unpleasant encounters with dogs. I will tell you about the encounter that stopped my legs and made my heart race. People living in residential areas have baffling practices. Never in my life would I have thought that my neighbor would opt to place his vicious dogs outside his gate before he goes to bed every night. We've never discussed it but maybe it was to ensure that a thief didn't get the opportunity to get close enough to scope out the place. Anyway, while I'm sure he has his reasons for operating like this, an unsuspecting 5 am runner will be breakfast for these animals. I almost became a meal myself one morning.

Let me tell you how it went down:
I went on my usual run down Great East road in the early morning and everything was just flowing; I was feeling good, running strong and I was happy to be alive. This excitement led to me extending my run and deciding to explore new routes in my neighborhood. Foolish me. I got off the highway and ran through a new street and within 100 meters I saw it. Pointy ears shot right up and then I heard it. It was unmistakable. It was "Grrrrrrrr....grrrrrrr....WOOF! WOOF!" I would've taken off had it not been for pure fear cutting off the power to my legs and paralyzing me. The dogs sensing the fear started to rapidly approach. The closer they got, the stronger my will to survive got and I decided to go out swinging! I was going to go out like a man. I made myself as wide as possible and started screaming with as much bass as I could. Perhaps I even started barking myself! I don't remember clearly. When you survive a deadly situation your memory isn't 100% accurate. I'm no psychologist but maybe the mind simply tries to preserve your dignity should you make it out alive.

Woof! Woof! A sound once they hear it tends to make some runners believe that they can outrun unfriendly canines. Don't. I didn't have this wisdom before but I do now. Stop, and don't run any further.

Here's my personal advice when faced with a woof! woof! situation on the run:

• Visually imagine an encounter with an unfriendly dog and mentally practice composure. If or when it happens it won't be something completely new to you
• Avoid running through residential areas because you don't know what security measures people have put in place to deal with uninvited guests showing up to their properties and households
• If you do encounter a hostile dog that's eager to chomp, you'd be wise to sound off the personal alarm I recommend all runners should carry with them on their runs. It can be viewed here. It's inexpensive and could save you a pound of flesh. Seriously. The personal alarm emits a very strong sound that acts as a deterrent to overzealous dogs.
• If you encounter dogs and you don't have a personal alarm to discourage the dogs from approaching then I encourage you to stop running, stand your ground and verbally express whatever it is that comes to your mind as loudly as possible. This is exactly what I did when I was new to running and neglected to buy a personal alarm for safety. Guess what? I'm still here to talk about it. Avoid triggering a dogs instinct to hunt by not running or displaying fear.

Anyway, after all that I've experienced, you couldn't pay me to run through a residential neighborhood. I just don't fancy myself as dog food.