Important Safety Tips for Outdoor Runners and Walkers

great tips! - 11/23/2012 3:44:12 PM

I’m surprised it wasn’t mentioned to not have music up loud while walking/running. In some towns they are saying to not listen to music at all since it makes you more susceptible to attacks since so many people have their headphones/earbud
s up so loud. I wear earbuds but I can still hear cars coming and dogs barking. As soon as one of us gets a new cell phone we put ICE in it. I’ve even done that with my grandparents phones too.

As for the dog part, I can’t disagree more. If the dog is going to actually attack, you will be worse off on the ground. Staying on your feet is the best bet
.
1) Don’t look the dog in the eye. Dogs can see that as a sign of aggression.
2) Don’t run. The dog may decide to chase and attack if you do.
3) Slowly walk or back away.

I have several dogs where I walk that run loose and I’ve found that most just want to bark. What I do with the ones where I am isn’t recommended, but I have gotten to know these dogs. There are two dachshunds that run towards the road yapping, but if I talk to them and take a step or two towards them they run the other way. There are several larger dogs on my route too and they are all different. One will bark and come to the end of the drive where it lives, but I just talk to it a little and keep walking. When he sees I am not stopping he’ll go lay back down. Another large dog will walk with me. He is friendly but barks when he sees me excited and ready to go. There is a brown dog that I don’t trust though. He has tried to sneak up on me before. If I see him I’ll just raise my voice and tell him to “Get outta here” or something and he will. I have told the owner of that one that I’m going to start carrying a walking stick and the next time it comes at me I will defend myself. They told me if I do they will call the police, but I’ve already talked to the Chief, two officers, and the dog catcher. They have all told me I have the right to protect myself. This dog has chased several kids, but it is smart and hides when the dog catcher is in our area.
- 9/16/2012 8:29:22 PM

Please dont curl on the floor if the dog attacks you, you will expose your head and neck area to possible injury. What kind of safety advice is THAT? It is very very wrong!

Keep your hands in your pockets or folded on the chest because dogs will try to grab at the limbs, so dont wave at them. You need to protect your face and neck!! Do not curl on the floor!!!
- 9/16/2012 5:19:12 PM

I was attacked and badly bitten by a neighbour's Alsatian when out jogging. I had heard that if you throw yourself down face down, the dog will not attack. That was when he really let rip. It was so painful when his teeth ripped through my flesh that I sat up. Then he just sat there and looked at me, till people came and he went away. AT first I just screamed. Then I started shouting HELP! Neighbours said they heard me screaming but thought it was children playing, till they heard me calling HELP! Now if in doubt I take a stick and pepper spray with me. I'm terrified of strange dogs now, and of course they will know it and therefore be more likely to bite. There's not much I can do about that, except ask passing dog owners to understand why I'm neurotic. In Albania normally if you bend down when a dog looks aggressive, he will run away with his tail between his legs, expecting to be hit by a stone you have picked up. It works 4 times out of 5. That's probably a local phenomenon though, as dogs here expect to have stones thrown at them, which doesn't make them friendlier! - 9/16/2012 5:16:56 PM

I'm surprised that being oblivious to surroundings while into your music wasn't included in the article. It took an earlier comment to bring it up. In my experience running with music in both ears is a lot more prevalent out there than runners yaking on cell phones. Be careful out there! - 9/16/2012 1:49:43 PM

I agree with all but the dog section. Being a dog trainer and working on behavior modification, I don't agree with much of what is said there. The worst being curling into a ball and telling an "aggressive" dog that you are weak - this is asking for further aggression.

Dogs are predictable and respond to our behavior in predictable ways. I have met many "aggressive" (in all reality, DEFENSIVE) dogs in my walks and runs. Most people let their dogs run loose in my neighborhood. I would rather run into one of them any day than a malicious person. Dogs I can handle. People scare the hell out of me.

But aside from that, the rest is good information.
- 9/16/2012 9:16:02 AM

Thanks Coach Nancy!!! My running group likes to wear the same colors so we can look out for each other while on the trail because we go at our own pace but look at for each other. - 9/16/2012 7:49:11 AM

I carry a couple dog treats with me. Only been in a situation once where I needed to throw one, it worked!! The barking, running dog changed directions, went straight for it and trotted back to its yard. - 7/4/2012 8:16:21 AM

I run with my dog so when a strange/stray dog comes running to us, and it happens regularly, I drop her leash and she goes and makes friends with them. This is probably NOT the right solution for everyone who runs with a dog, but it works for us.

In response to some of the other comments. I agree with the person who mentioned not taking your IPOD if you are not paying attention. I only use one ear bud with mine and leave my other ear open for listening for traffic and dogs and such.

Definitely pay attention to what is around you and be safe, but I do not believe there is good reason to be paranoid, just prepared. - 10/23/2011 9:56:33 AM

I would add ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. If that means leaving your Ipod at home, leave it at home. I have seen many joggers unaware of animals, cyclers, or even other joggers because they were so into the music and just not paying attention. - 7/8/2011 3:34:50 PM

I read an article about cycling and what to do if a dog approaches in an aggressive manner. Some suggestions don't matter, like putting the bike inbetween you and the dog, but another might be helpful. The suggestion was to squirt it with your water bottle. It doesn't hurt the dog but it does give them a surprise that may snap them out of it, or at least give you enough time to find some way to protect yourself better. - 1/2/2011 12:21:52 AM

Thank you for putting all of that very useful information into one place. I plan to follow-up on those recommendations. I didn't know about the ICE number, and will program it into my cell phone. - 12/19/2010 8:45:39 PM

Great information, as someone just starting to train for marthon, this good information. - 12/19/2010 12:41:31 PM

I never knew about the ICE on cell phones. Both my husband & I have now added the info to our phones. Thank you so much for that information.

If I'm out walking after dark, I use a flashing light (buy in bicycle supplies) somewhere on my rear side. I have other flashing items I use to catch eyes on the front. I have had necklaces that flashed different colors (including a skull from a pirate dinner theatre) and bracelets that blink. - 12/19/2010 12:09:56 PM

Great article for safety reminders. I do all of what was suggested, including wearing a ROAD ID on my wrist. The one thing to add to my phone is the ICE. I heard that a while back, but forgot to do anything about it! Thanks for the advice. - 12/19/2010 9:00:47 AM