Does Your Dog Chase Cars?
Some dogs are in the habit of chasing cars. Unfortunately, this can be a very serious if not life threatening problem.
There are many reasons that dogs chase cars. For one thing, chasing moving objects is an inbred, instinctive behaviour that can never be completely removed. Chasing behaviours, however can and should be controlled through a combination of good training and supervision.
Some dogs are more apt to chase cars, bikes, joggers, cats and other dogs than are others. Dogs that have a high prey drive, including breeds that have been bred for hunting, are particularly susceptible to the thrill of the chase. Herding breeds are also prone to chase cars, attempt to herd the neighbours children, etc.
One reason that many dogs chase cars in particular is that they have learned to associate cars with good time and fun things. Most dogs love to ride in the car, and when they see a car they may try to chase it down for a ride.
No matter what your dog’s motivation for chasing cars, however, it is important to curb this dangerous behavior as quickly as possible. Training the dog not to chase cars starts with teaching the dog the meaning of the “Off” command. The “Off” command is one of the fundamentals of obedience training, and it must be mastered by every dog.
Training the dog to stay where he is, even if interesting, exciting things are happening elsewhere, is very important to all aspects of dog training. In the world of professional dog training, this is sometimes referred to as distraction training. Distraction training is very important, and it is applicable to teaching the dog not to chase cars.
This important lesson is not something you will be able to do on your own. You will need at least one other person – a friend who will slowly drive by and tempt your dog with his bright, shiny object. You will stand with your dog on his leash as your friend drives past.
When your friend drives by, either in your car or his, watch your dog’s reaction carefully. If he begins to jump up or move away, repeat the “Off” command and quickly return your dog to the sitting position. If he remains where he is, be sure to give him lavish amounts of praise and perhaps a treat or two. Repeat this process many times over the course of a few days. Once your dog is reliably remaining seated when your friend drives by, start lengthening the distance between yourself and your dog. A long, retractable leash works great for this process.
Even after your dog is trained to not chase cars, however, it is important to not leave him out off the leash unsupervised. Leaving a dog unattended, except for within a properly and securely fenced in yard, is simply asking for trouble. Dogs are unpredictable, and it is always possible that the chase instinct could kick in at exactly the wrong moment.
The best strategy is to confine the dog when you cannot supervise him. This will keep your dog safe and ensure the safety of other road users.
dog training
khealey on June 30th 2007 in Dog Training