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How To Stop Your Dog From Chasing Cars

If you have a dog that has just started chasing car consider your self lucky, correction for this problem is far simpler than if the dog has been chasing for more than a few weeks. Early correction is key to transforming the stimulus, whether it is a car, bicycle, motorcycle, children on skates, etc, from an attractive to an aversive stimulus. One of the most effective methods involves is to get a friend to use there car drive after the dog and to stop their vehicle before any injury can be sustained. If bicycles, motorcycles or other stimuli cause the chase, these of course should be employed.

You should walk with your dog toward the street from various starting points the dog has used in the past or would be likely to use in the future for its attacks. Just as the dog starts to break into its run, the you should suddenly reverse direction away from the vehicle, shouting as if fearful. The vehicle's your friend is driving must slam on the brakes, screeching the tires to a halt, and remain still until you and your dog have retreated to your own property and have gone from sight. Then, the vehicle should be driven or pedaled onward and a repeat performance set up.

The process must be repeated until you no longer needs to reverse his direction to stimulate the dog to retreat back to its own property. It could take as many as 20 repetitions, with the cooperating friend and vehicles rotating their appearances. When this is accomplished, the same method is used, now without you there at the scene, to test the degree of conditioning obtained. If the dog resumes chasing the vehicles, the procedure should be started anew until success is achieved.

The value of this method is best demonstrated in young dogs or those that have recently acquired the behavior. In older and more experienced dogs, more preparation and work are required. The tenacious chaser is usually one that has been at it for more than a few weeks. Underlying causes frequently involve more than simple satisfaction of a chase reflex. Many affected dogs have suffered severe injuries from their "conquests" after catching up with the mechanical prey, and yet have persisted in their folly to chase cars and other fast-moving vehicles.

In these cases, the total environmental and behavioral background must be examined to determine the causative factors; these must then be removed. Possible inciting causes include:

• Barrier or tether frustration.
• Wandering free around the neighborhood.
• Regular walks and urine marking.
• Tendencies acquired through the owner's previous anxiety or overt chase behavior of vehicles or children on skates, skateboards, bikes, etc.