Dogs are intelligent animals, and their behaviour is usually predictable and manageable. Unicyclists are intelligent animals, and their behaviour is usually self-manageable. There is no need for all this gung ho shite about using mace spray and unijitsu.
Dogs are motivated by territorial considerations and by dominance within the pack. They will also hunt, play and mate. It is a simple life, and preferable to working in an office.
Never approach an unknown dog that is on its own territory. Especially if it is behind a gate, or on a chain, it will be even more territorial than usual. Never reach over or through a gate or fence to a dog you do not know and trust.
On the other hand, if you act like you have a right to be there, and behave confidently and are “dismissive but friendly” towards the dog, there will not normally be a problem if you do enter a dog’s territory.
If a dog is on a lead, it will act more territorially. It will also be more likely to jump up or be aggressive because it can feel vulnerable. (A loose dog will often feel dominant over a dog on a lead and may attack it.)
Never ride close to a dog that is on a lead. There is no need to do so.
If it is a narrow path, make yourself known to the dog and to the owner, well in advance. Communicate. Dogs can “understand” simple words and tones of voice. So can some dog owners.
If the owner knows you are there, they will usually restrain the dog if they think it is necessary; they know their dog. Most owners are not completely irresponsible idiots; in fact, most are over cautious, fondly beleiving that their little Fifi is a slavering hound. They are out walking their dogs because they like dogs. And mostly they won’t be reckless about exposing themselves to the risk of litigation, either.
If you see a dog ahead on your route, make sure it knows you are there. Click your tongue, whistle, or say, “Good dog”. Act and sound like a friendly human. Don’t try to befriend the dog or make a fuss of it; just sound friendly and unthreatening.
Never ever ride between an owner and the dog (especially if the dog is on a lead! 
) as this may make the dog run to defend its owner. Never ever go close to children who are in the same party as the dog, because the dog will defend them.
Even big dogs (Rotties, Alsatians, etc.) will usually back down if you speak to them either firmly and confidently, or disparagingly. A simple, “Get down you daft bugger” or “No!” will usually do the trick. Dogs hate to be patronised. It confuses them and they get embarrassed and back down.
Remember that the dog has probably met very few unicyclists in its life. All it sees is a strange fast moving thing that may either be fun to play with, or a threat, or good to hunt. Your job is to clarify in the dog’s mind that you are in fact a good-natured and unthreatening human being who is higher than it in the pack order.
If a dog comes running towards you, and the above tactics don’t work, then dismount. This does two things:
- It eliminates the risk of you falling off and becoming "vulnerable prey" on the ground.
- It turns you into a conventional human being shape - a shape that the dog can understand. (Many dogs do not have very good vision. They hunt largely by sense of smell.)
Once you are dismounted, place the unicycle betyween you and the dog, with the wheel sideways on. It will look like a solid barrier to the dog. Continue to speak confidently and firmly. If there is an owner nearby, do not be aggressive; the dog will react to the tone, and its instinct will be to defend its own pack.
If necessary, walk rather than ride until the dog is no longer a threat.
Strangely, most dogs will “forget” about you once you are past them. Dogs are curious animals, and will be looking for the next interesting smell.
Never try to hurt the dog. If you succeed, you end up with a potential legal hassle (whether you win or lose) and anyway, it isn’t the dog’s fault. It is only doing what dogs do, and it isn’t the dog’s fault if it hasn’t been properly trained.
Dogs have been part of human society for thousands of years. Unicycling is a very new sport. Don’t be arrogant. Be prepared to give way.
