If you’ve ever seen a dog go after a moving vehicle, you understand just how heart-stopping it is. Time seems to slow down, but you can’t move fast enough as you worry whether the dog will get hit or the vehicle will swerve dangerously.
Understanding why dogs chase cars is the first step in understanding how to curb this behavior. Read on as we explore the root of the issue and explain what you can do to keep your dog safe.
Some Dog Breeds are Prone to Chasing
Many herding breeds, like collies, were bred with the instinct to chase prey in mind. In order to perform their tasks well, they need the innate ability to keep up with livestock to move them around and protect them.
Some hunting breeds (e.g. terriers or dachshunds) also have a high prey drive so they can keep up with the animal they are hunting through difficult terrain, even going as far as to catch it. Some dogs we don’t see out hunting as often anymore, such as Greyhounds or Irish Wolfhounds, still have this instinct to chase despite years of filling a different role.
A dog doesn’t need champion lines to hold onto these instincts; your muddled-yet-loved Aussie mix may still have the urge anytime a car speeds by, especially if they’re allowed to dig into it from a young age.
Chasing Habits Form Easily if Not Curbed Early On
Most dogs have chasing instincts, regardless of lineage, and they worsen over time if no one teaches them otherwise. A dog without a history of chasing cars can easily pick it up one day, especially if they share space with one that does, and a lack of early intervention turns into a much bigger issue.
This may start small, like chasing your shoelaces as a puppy or nipping at the wheels of your child’s indoor toys. Soon, they’re pacing at the fence as cars drive by, barking obsessively as neighbors wheel out their trash can, and even potentially pulling you into traffic on your daily walks.
Regardless of how their car-chasing habit forms, it’s important to set up a safe space and take the steps necessary to deter and redirect the behavior.
Keeping Your Car-Chasing Dog Safe
The first step in dealing with a dog that chases cars is making sure they’re as safe as possible in their daily life.
Make sure the fencing in your yard is secure with no loose boards or spaces they can slip out of, and that they cannot jump over the fence if they get too excited. Gates should lock securely, and you may consider adding automatic spring gate closures in case someone accidentally forgets to shut the gate.
Consider a redundant gate around doorways or yard exits if your dog likes to bolt through these passages to get to the street. Redundant gates are often used at dog parks to provide a second barrier to dogs hoping to run amok, and they’re great for your peace of mind.
Invisible fences are often better than nothing, but the shock stim may not be enough to overcome your dog’s baser instincts.
Use a short leash whenever you’re outside in an open area, like on a walk or in your front yard. Avoid long leads or retractable leashes with an untrained dog; these may allow your dog to reach the road or have too much space to build up momentum until they hit the end of the line.
Counterconditioning for a Dog that Chases Cars
Setting up a safe space is incredibly important, but it’s only the first step in a long journey. To keep your dog, yourself, and those around you as safe as possible, you need to dedicate time and energy into redirecting their chasing behavior.
Counterconditioning works by replacing an undesired behavior with something more appropriate. In this case, you want to replace how your dog responds to a car or other moving object).
Ideally, your dog should have basic commands like “sit” and “stay” down, but that’s not wholly necessary to start counterconditioning. At the very least, you need these training tools:
- A short lead (4 to 6 feet)
- High value treats, like lunch meat or liver
- Optional: a clicker (if you’re clicker training)
Choose an area where cars drive by, but where they’re far enough away that your dog is not tempted to chase them. Any time one passes by, treat your dog. Eventually, they begin to associate the car driving by with the treat coming from your hand, and they should look to you in anticipation when vehicles approach.
Continue with treats and verbal praise, moving closer to the street once they consistently look at you instead of focusing on the car. If your dog chooses the car instead, it’s a sign they’re over the threshold, and you need to put more space between them and the trigger.
How to Prevent Relearning a Chasing Habit
Unfortunately, it’s easy for training to fade away and instincts to resurface. Keep things positive as your dog chooses you over their trigger, but do not resort to punishment if they relapse.
Teaching them other skills, like leash etiquette and a solid recall, gives you more control over your dog if they backslide. The more work you do to prioritize your relationship and positive behaviors, the more capable you are of keeping them safe.
